Sri Lankan takes the third place in biochar research publications in the world

Dr. Meththika Vithanage, research fellow, at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy has been ranked as the top third author from international scientific publications related to biochar research publications in 2014. This ranking has been done by a world famous scientific web site, Scopus which is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature: scientific journals, books and conference proceedings. Scopus delivers a comprehensive overview of the world’s research output in the fields of science and technology, medicine, economics and social sciences. Moreover according to the selection criteria, this database often refers to articles published in the Science Citation Indexed journals. The Science Citation Index (SCI) is a citation index originally produced by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and created by Eugene Garfield. It was officially launched in 1964. The larger version (Science Citation Index Expanded) covers more than 6,500 notable and significant journals, across 150 disciplines, from 1900 to the present. This database allows a researcher to identify the later articles that have been cited in any particular earlier article, or that had cited the articles of any particular author, or have been cited very fre- quently. According to Scopus’ ranking statistics, Dr. Vithanage has been able to successfully publish 7 science citation indexed journal articles so far in 2014. The first and second ranked authors have published 9 and 8 journal articles respectively, according to the database.

The origin of biochar is connected to the Amazon River basin area where some black and very fertile soil patches were found. According to its dark color and origin, the soil was termed “Terra Preta de Indio”. Even though chemical fertilizers cannot maintain crop yields into a third consecutive growing season, these dark earths have retained their fertility for centuries. Field explorations have found the evidence that Terra Preta was created through the use of slash and- char techniques. Further research works confirmed that b i o char could i mprove soil chemical, biological, and physical properties . Presently, it has been concluded that the biochar concept has a strong global context, as it is positioned strongly in the context of climate change (carbon abatement), but intrinsically linked to renewable energy capture ( bio-

KUDA KUSUM BALIKA M. V. - BANDARAWELA

mass pyrolysis) and food production and land-use change (food and feed production), further extending to the enhancement of environmental quality (control of diffuse pollution) and management of organic wastes (stabilization and use), through management of soil nutrients. Due to the above factors, an increasing global interest in biochar research has been observed in past few years especially after 2005. According to the country ranking statistics based on the number of biochar research papers published, the top ten countries are United States, China, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, Italy and South Korea respectively.

Biochar research was initiated at Institute of Fundamental Studies in 2011 by the Chemical and Environmental Systems Modeling research group under the supervision of Dr. Meththika Vithanage. They have been able to publish a large number of research articles within a short period of time in science citation indexed journals and in international conferences. The research group mainly focuses on remediation of contaminants which may adversely affect the living environment, using biochar. Low cost feedstocks such as disposable tea residues, rice husk and waste byproducts from bioenergy industries are being used as the raw material to produce biochar. In addition, plant materials of invasive alien plant species which may pose a severe threat to biodiversity and agriculture are also being converted into biochar. Produced biochar has been successfully used for the remediation of agro chemicals including pesticides, herbicides and other harmful organic substances and pharmaceuticals which may significantly affect living organisms. One of the projects of Dr. Vithanage on biochar has

The annual Pirith ceremony & Almsgiving was held on November 13 and 14 at the main hall of the College. The Zonal Education Director J.M.Jayasundara, the Principal, Sectional Heads, teachers, parents and members of the OGA were invited for this memorable occasion. been funded by the Indo-Sri Lanka bi-lateral research grant provided by the Ministry of Technology and Research, Sri Lanka. Removal mechanisms of different contaminants depend mainly on the properties of biochar. On the other hand, the research group has showed that the biochar has the potential of reducing the bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in heavy metal contaminated shooting range soils and serpentine soils. Moreover, the research group has found that biochar may increase soil enzyme activities which may be crucial for the plant growth.

As a result of industrialization and urbanization, natural resources in the world are rapidly declining. Hence biochar is considered as an multifaceted concept which may offer benefits in terms of environmental remediation, enhanced agricultural yields, co- generation of renewable energy, organic waste recycling, climate change mitigation among others. The excellent progress achieved by Dr. Vithanage and her group, will make a great contribution towards highlighting Sri Lanka’s role to cope with global environmental issues. Encouraging such environmental friendly research activities is most important for a developing country like Sri Lanka. It is worthy of mention the contribution and support given by group members, the Director and the staff of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hon. Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka and staff of the Ministry of Technology and Research, the government treasury and also the national and international funding organizations towards this achievement of attaining a top ranking for Sri Lanka.

HINDU LADIES COLLEGE

- JAFFNA

English Day was held on November 7 at Visalachchi Hall. A. Rasakumaaran, the Head of ELTC, University of Jaffna was invited as the chief guest.

VISHAKA BALIKA VIDYALAYA

- SAPUGASKANDA.

Prize Giving – 2012/2013 was held on November 4. Chief Minister Western Province Prasanna Ranathunga was invited as the chief guest.

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL – KANDY

The Safety Hot Cup invented by Isira Sewwandi Jayasinghe secured second place and the first place in the environment friendly & safety category in the new invention competition which was organised by the Sri Lanka Engineering Services and the Department of Education.

RAJAPAKSHA CENTRAL COLLEGE – WEERAKETIYA

“Siha Nadha -2014” Prefects’ Day was celebrated with a bonfire camp at the school premises on November 7 & 8.