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Papers
12 resultsShowing papers from Open University of Sri Lanka
ClearA Comprehensive Investigation of Microplastic Contamination and Polymer Toxicity in Farmed Shrimps; L. vannamei and P. monodon
Microplastics in personal care products and cosmetics in Sri Lanka
Researchers analyzed 15 brands of personal care and cosmetic products sold in Sri Lanka for microplastic content, making it the first such study in the country. They found microplastics in products including face washes, facial scrubs, baby creams, and skin creams. The study highlights personal care products as a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic pollution entering waterways.
Microplastics and Potentially Toxic Elements: Potential Human Exposure Pathways through Agricultural Lands and Policy Based Countermeasures
This review examines how microplastics interact with potentially toxic elements in agricultural soils and the resulting human exposure pathways. Researchers found that microplastics can adsorb heavy metals and other contaminants, enhancing their transport through soil and into crops. The study outlines policy-based countermeasures needed to address the combined risks of microplastic and heavy metal contamination in food production systems.
Microplastic Pollution of Stream Water and Sediment in a Tributary of a Major Drinking Water Supplying River in Sri Lanka
Researchers monitored microplastic pollution in stream water and sediment of a tributary feeding a major drainage system, documenting spatial patterns of contamination and identifying land use practices as key predictors of microplastic abundance in this freshwater system.
Mitigating Microfiber Pollution in Laundry Wastewater: Insights from a Filtration System Case Study in Galle, Sri Lanka
A filtration system study in Galle, Sri Lanka investigated microfiber removal from hotel laundry wastewater, finding that synthetic microfibers from tourist accommodation laundry represent a significant and poorly managed pollution pathway to local aquatic ecosystems.
High levels of microplastics in commercial salt and industrial salterns in Sri Lanka
All commercial salt products tested in Sri Lanka were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations ranging from 11 to 193 items/kg in commercial salts and up to 253 items/kg in lab-grade NaCl, and significant variation between three analyzed saltern sites.
Consumer Perception of Personal Care Products and Cosmetics on Health and Environmental Effects
A survey of 300 Sri Lankan consumers found that 48% selected personal care products based on evaluations, 34% were highly concerned about ingredients, and most disposal via washing contributed to microplastic-laden wastewater, with awareness of environmental impacts varying widely.
Harnessing CO₂ for the Development of Biodegradable Polymers: A Review of Innovations in Green Chemistry
This review covers recent advances in making biodegradable polymers from captured CO2, an approach that simultaneously reduces greenhouse gas emissions and creates plastic alternatives that break down more readily than conventional plastics. The authors survey catalyst development, polymerization methods, and material properties of CO2-derived polymers like polycarbonates and polyurethanes. While not about existing microplastic pollution, replacing conventional plastics with CO2-based biodegradable materials could reduce both carbon emissions and long-term microplastic accumulation in the environment.
Past, Present and Future of Sri Lankan Coastal Macrophyte-Dominated Ecosystems: Blue Carbon, Conservation, Restoration and Policy
This review examines the past, present, and future of Sri Lanka's coastal macrophyte ecosystems — mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses — highlighting their critical roles in blue carbon sequestration, biodiversity support, and coastal protection, and noting Sri Lanka's pioneering legislation to protect all remaining mangrove forests.