BIOREMEDIATION ensures clean water

Kamal Melvani,

NEO SYNTHESIS RESEARCH CENTRE,

SRI LANKA

MODERN AGRICULTUREPromotes land use that includes the:

The impact on theimmediate environment,specifically on ground and surface waterresources has beennegative.

• intensive use of agrochemicals• monoculture of a few crop

species• removal of other vegetation• introduction of new crops• many cropping cycles

Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka•The Kalpitiya Peninsula is a low-lying sand peninsula located on the North West coast of Sri Lanka. Annual rainfall is < 900 mm.•The underlying Gyben-Herzberg lens of fresh water is extensively pumped for irrigation and potable water supply. •. Ground water quality in the peninsula was good until massive amounts of inorganic fertilizer and chemical pesticides began to be used in agriculture.

This increased ground water concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, chloride and potassium beyond WHO drinking water standards. Nitrate –n/l concentrations exceed 10 mg/l.

Implications on human health

Concentrations of nitrate in ground water from an intensively cultivated area range from 10-15 mg/1 to 20-50mg/l while concentrations in non-cultivated areas are 0.2 mg/1 Analyses of drinking water from 225 wells in 11 areas indicated that over 49% of drinking water are contaminated.64% of infants in the Peninsula have methaemeglobin levels above normal range (0-2%).Statistics from Kalpitiya Hospital revealed that the occurrence of spontaneous abortions in 2002, 2003 & 2004 was 188, 136 & 137 respectively.

Increased levelsOf nitrates impact human healthand increases theincidence of Methaemoglobinaemia(blue baby syndrome)and gastro intestinalcancers.

Resolving the problemIn 2001, the National Water Supply and Drainage Boardcontracted with NSRC to experiment with the use ofbioremediation to reduce concentrations of nitrates and nitrites in ground water.

Bioremediation is the use of natural processes to breakdown hazardous substances into less toxic compounds.

It includes both microbial remediation and phytoremediation, the use of plants.

the pilot initiative1) Involved the restoration of the vegetation in the micro

watershed around the drinking water well in Nawakkaduwa.

Restoration used analog forestry as its primary tool where a tree dominant ecosystem similar in architectural structure and ecological function to the original climax vegetation was planted.

Increasing ecological maturity

Increasing biodiversity

2003

Dense planting round the well with deep rooted, native trees forming a ‘root mat ’ below the surface to uptake the contaminants.

•8 piesometers were established in the vegetation root mat around the model well.

•Water from the model well, piesometers and two control wells located on either side of the demonstration plot was tested monthly to assess:

LOCATION OF PIESOMETERS AND THE PLANTS

N

ModelWell

P-7

P-1

P-8

P-3

P-2

P-5

P-4

P-6

b) Evaluation of water quality

Species used were: Terminaliaarjuna, Madhuca longifolia, Manilkarahexandra, Diospyros malabarica, Berrya cordifolia, Pandanus kaiida, Pongamia pinnata, Thespepseapopulnea, Moringa oleifera etc

Physical properties (colour, odour, taste, turbidity)Chemical properties(pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Chloride, Free Ammonia, Albuminoid Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite & Total Iron).

Nitrate Concentrations in Piesometers Concentration of Nitrates in Piesometers ( P1-P3 & P4-P8 )

from February 2004 to January 2009

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Avg P1-P3 Avg P4-P8 Log. (Avg P1-P3) Log. (Avg P4-P8)

Concentration of Nitrates in Model ,Chooti's & Sea Wells from February 2004 to January 2009

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

M odel Well Chooti's Well Sea WellLog. (M odel Well) Log. (Chooti's Well) Log. (Sea Well)

Nitrate Concentrations in Models & control wells

Downward trend in nitrate concentration in piesometersover time

Continuous upward trend in nitrate concentrations over time in water from Chooti’s well

The surrounding area was developed into a production area where both perennial and annual crops were grown organically. Papaya, Banana, Mango, Guava, Orange,Pomegranate, Sapodilla, Anona, Lime, Lemon, Mandarin, Grape, Acerola, Jak, Passion and Avacado.

Vegetables were grown organically: Snake gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ridge gourd, Amaranthus, Maize, Spinach, Ladies Fingers, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Long Bean, Tomato, Spring Onions, Winged Bean & chillies.

Regenerative Agriculture

Impact of Implemented Activity

Improved Water QualityWith the maturity of the vegetation, a decrease in nitratesAnd nitrites recorded within fouryears.

In February, 2004 nitrate concentrations in well waterExceeded 58.5mg/l. By February 2008, the levels had dropped to 12.1 mg/l.Iron, chloride and electrical conductivity also decreased.

Maturity of Well Watershed 30% increase in canopy closure in 3 years!

Impact of Implemented Activity, continued……

Environmental StabilityNewly developed forest community provides forest products and services like the

Biodiversity Conservation The forest garden provides habitat for birds, butterflies, amphibians, lizards, snakes, dragonflies, earthworms etc.

production of clean water & habitat for biodiversity

Indian Broad Billed roller

Ca

lotesversicolor

Blue Mormon

•Plant diversity fosters pest predator interplayreducing the need for pesticides

Regenerative and organic practicesincrease carbon sequestration in soilsbuilding “humic” substances that remainas stable carbon compounds.

•Increased Food Security & Poverty AlleviationThe diversity of annual & perennial crops grown organically generates income throughout the year while improving family nutrition & food security.

•Mitigating Climate Change

Kitchen Gardens

No. Name 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December

Total Income Earned

1 Kalmunai 11,680.00 7,716.00 5,700.00 25,096.00 2 Kalmunai Kudy 10,360.00 10,700.00 3,640.00 24,700.00 3 Maruthamunai 5,170.00 6,320.00 4,865.00 16,355.00 4 Periyaneelavanai - 12,940.00 9,290.00 22,230.00 5 Pandiruppu 1,910.00 2,630.00 5,265.00 10,260.00 6 Kurentheyady 8,863.00 8,240.00 8,210.00 17,103.00

37,983.00 48,546.00 36,970.00 123,499.00

Demonstration Models1 Kalmunai 6,515.00 5,390.00 1,360.00 13,265.00 2 Kalmunai Kudy 4,840.00 3,890.00 4,050.00 12,780.00 3 Maruthamunai 4,870.00 5,145.00 3,375.00 13,390.00 4 Periyaneelavanai - 18,620.00 10,240.00 28,860.00 5 Pandiruppu 445.00 815.00 2,200.00 3,460.00 6 Kurentheyady 3,090.00 4,110.00 3,130.00 7,200.00

19,760.00 37,970.00 24,355.00 82,085.00

57,743.00 86,516.00 61,325.00 205,584.00

Summary of Income from Kitchen Gardens / Demonstration models

Total Income received - Kitchen gardens

Total Income received - Demo. Models

Total Income Received for the Period

Impact of Implemented Activity, continued

•Increased Water securitysince Bioremediation ensures clean and continuously safe water.

•Preferred AlternativeThe cost of this technology is negligible when compared to conventional water Treatment or expensive technologies like reverse osmosis or micro filtration to deal with water contaminatedwith nitrates.

Women now say that “tea and lentils boil easily”

Community Participation

Implementation with children from Kurignampitiya Roman Catholic School

Planning with Community from Kalmunai

Planting around well with member of women’s group from Kalmunai

Maintaining vegetation -Kowyawadiya Muslim School

Total beneficiaries in Kalpitiyaare 1,511,612

• 13 domestic wells that provide water for 65 people

• 13 public wells serving 1,290 people

•6 Church wells serving 1,501,053 people.

•2 hospital wells serving 144 staff and patients.

•18 school wells serving 9060 children and staff.

Kowyawadiya Muslim School, Kalpitiya

REPLICABILITY IN KALMUNAI

The demonstrationwas replicated in Wells in Kalmunaithat were rendered saline & contaminatedWith sewage frombroken cess pits in the Tsunami of 2004.

Total Number of wells 1001Total number of beneficiaries is 5005

Name of the Farmer

Des

irab

le

Leve

l

Name of the Farmer

Des

irab

le

Leve

l

2005 June 2006 June 2006 Dece. 2007 April 2007 Dec.

1 S. Kaladevi 10 67 15.8 8.6 4.1 4.72 R. Sathimalar 10 6 12.6 7.2 5.2 3.43 M.S.M. Haniffa 10 3.2 16.5 8.0 3.2 5.04 A. Maskeer 10 13.60 20.7 15.7 6.5 7.55 K. Parameswary 10 7.80 2.7 2.5 5.0 3.96 S.M. Samsudeen 10 3.60 18.5 7.1 4.1 3.27 I.L. Sehu Mohideen 10 5.60 5.0 7.1 11 7.38 M.I. Fareetha 10 5.9 16 8.5 5.4 4.89 C.M.M. Cassim 10 3.6 27.2 9.2 6.7 5.5

10 M.I. Subaitheen 10 3.4 17 7.9 7.9 5.711 S. Nasrudeen 10 3.1 14.3 7.1 5.9 4.512 S. M. Ramsin 10 18.0 3.9 10.3 8.5 2.813 I.L. Majeed 10 2.8 2.3 11.3 4.6 5.714 A. M. Rafee 10 46 1.70 7.0 7.7 3.815 Y. M. Rahuman 10 12.2 14.8 14.2 8.1 3.416 M.A. Wajith 10 65 2.3 7.2 8.0 12.1 17 M.A. Yoosub 10 5.9 23.9 2.7 6.3 14.518 S. Pakhiyaraja 10 2.0 2.3 4.7 - 4.519 Suventhra Kumar 10 2.2 28.1 34.4 3.5 4.820 T. Magandran 10 2.4 0.87 4.6 14.5 4.421 N. Surandran 10 4.5 15 8.1 7.2 3.922 A. Kirupakaran 10 2.8 0.76 34.5 16 7.523 S. Saroja 10 1.7 8.0 0.8 3.4 4.124 A. Junideen 10 1.1 3.3 7.5 4.3 2.125 A. Jayakuri 10 1.4 1.50 1.8 2.6 4.326 K. Poopalapillai 10 0.8 5.7 6.1 4.8 4.5

TOTAL 6 13 6 3 2

Peri

yane

elav

anai

Kal

mun ai

Kal

mun

ai K

udy

Mar

utha

mun

aiPa

ndir

uppu

Loca

tion

Num

ber

Nitrate (mg/l)

Test Level

OVERALL IMPACT• Nitrate concentrations in water from experimental well

decreased from 58.5mg/l in 2004 to 12.1 mg/l in 2008.

• The technology was applied to 1,053 drinking water wells and will deliver safe drinking water to 1,516,617 people.

• People are benefiting from the adoption of ecological farming by way of food, fuel wood, timber, medicine.

• The technology helps to re-create habitat for biodiversity.

• Climate change impacts can be mitigated through this technology.

• 23 farmer groups in Kalmunai &20 school environmental cadetteams were created. This willensure maintenance.

SUSTAINABILITY

• Bioremediation is self sustaining; this clean technology is simple and easily adopted by the community. It is affordable, requires minimum investment and no external energy input.

• The costs for ecosystem services provided by the well watershed are only maintenance and protection of the trees.

• Further, the re-creation of forested watershedsmay be the last defense against global temperature increase and variability of rainfall. This technology offers a water secure future.

COMMITTMENTa) Extend technology to drinking water wells in other parts of Sri Lankab) Expand technology to include riparian zone of surface water sources.

c) Transfertechnology through training and demonstration to Other countries.

d) Lobby for policiesprohibiting agro chemicals in close proximity to drinking water sources.

THANK YOU!