Academic Journal
A Geographic Information System-Based Framework for Discriminating Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution in Data-Limited River Basins: A Case Study from Sri Lanka's Kelani River.
| Τίτλος: | A Geographic Information System-Based Framework for Discriminating Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution in Data-Limited River Basins: A Case Study from Sri Lanka's Kelani River. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Meddage AKMMK; Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.; Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka., Liyanage GY; Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.; Department of Aquatic Bioresources, Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka., Idroos FS; Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka., Liu W; International Joint Laboratory on Environmental Exposure and Health, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China., Yin S; International Joint Laboratory on Environmental Exposure and Health, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China.; Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China., Goonetilleke R; Hayleys Fabric PLC, Narthupana Estate, Neboda, Sri Lanka., Bandara R; Hayleys Fabric PLC, Narthupana Estate, Neboda, Sri Lanka., Diyawaththege L; Hayleys Fabric PLC, Narthupana Estate, Neboda, Sri Lanka., Manage PM; Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. |
| Πηγή: | Integrated environmental assessment and management [Integr Environ Assess Manag] 2026 Sep 01; Vol. 22 (5), pp. 1726-1738. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101234521 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1551-3793 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15513777 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Integr Environ Assess Manag Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Pensacola, FL : Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), c2005- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Environmental Monitoring*/methods , Rivers*/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical*/analysis , Non-Point Source Pollution*/analysis , Non-Point Source Pollution*/statistics & numerical data , Water Pollution*/analysis , Geographic Information Systems*, Phosphorus/analysis ; Nitrogen/analysis ; Sri Lanka ; Water Quality ; Groundwater |
| Περίληψη: | Urban river systems in rapidly urbanizing regions of South Asia face increasing threats from wastewater discharges. This study develops a transferable geographic information system (GIS)-based framework for discriminating point- and nonpoint-source pollution in data-limited tropical basins, using the Kelani River Basin of Sri Lanka as a case study. Seventy-one surface and groundwater samples were collected across headwater, transitional, and meandering zones during dry and wet seasons, and analyzed for key physicochemical and biological parameters. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI) was calculated based on national and international water quality guidelines. Results classified the overall water quality as "Marginal," revealing a classic spatial pattern of degradation from "Excellent" (WQI: 93) in pristine headwaters to "Poor" (WQI: 26) in the urban meandering zone, a trend observed in many urbanizing watersheds globally. Crucially, Spearman's correlation analysis identified ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) (R < -0.7, p < .001) and total phosphorus (TP) as the primary drivers of degradation. The persistent, seasonally consistent NH4+-N signal is a possible robust indicator of chronic raw sewage input (point-source pollution), while wet-season TP spikes implicate agricultural and urban runoff (nonpoint source pollution). The study presents substantial inferential evidence between pollution sources, demonstrating that the river's assimilative capacity is overwhelmed by continuous point-source discharges with seasonal nutrient mobilization, a critical issue in regions where sanitation infrastructure lags behind urban growth. The framework provides a replicable approach for identifying hotspots and assessing river assimilative capacity. These findings highlight the global imperative for improved nutrient removal and the value of integrated, GIS-based monitoring systems to support adaptive governance under accelerating urban and climatic pressures. (© The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.) |
| Grant Information: | RC/URG/SCI/2024/34 University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and Hayleys Fabric PLC, Neboda, Sri Lanka, for the financial support under the Research; Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research for providing the laboratory facilities for this study |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: GIS-based framework; Kelani River; Water Quality Index; point-source pollution; water pollution |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Water Pollutants, Chemical) 27YLU75U4W (Phosphorus) N762921K75 (Nitrogen) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260321 Date Completed: 20260908 Latest Revision: 20260908 |
| Update Code: | 20260909 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/inteam/vjag045 |
| PMID: | 41863297 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1551-3793 |
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| DOI: | 10.1093/inteam/vjag045 |