P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Professor in Oceanography at University of Ruhuna

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine environment. The prevalence of MPs in coastal and lagoon sediments , and water were studied in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); Bundala National Park (BNP) and Hik-kaduwa Marine National Park (HNP) in Sri Lanka. Both areas are important for turtles, birds and coral ecosystems, all of which are particul...

Sharks are considered to be top predators in marine ecosystems. Due to the high market value of shark fins, fishing pressure on these top predators has increased significantly and they are currently considered to be a threatened marine vertebrate group. Sri Lanka is an island nation with 21 major fish harbours in operation and one of the top 20 sha...

This paper describes the distribution, abundance and seasonal variation in blue whales (BWs) on the south coast of Sri Lanka, off Mirissa, where they are faced with anthropogenic threats. Data collection encompassed opportunistic sightings by whale-watching (WW) operations. This study revealed that large aggregations of BWs consistently overlapped...

The interannual relationships between the cross‐equatorial cell (CEC) in the Indian Ocean (IO) and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are examined through observational data and numerical simulations. The findings indicate a notable intraseasonal variation in the boreal summer IO CEC responses to preceding ENSO events, showing a weakening in e...

The pervasive contamination of the environment with microplastics (MPs) poses a significant threat to food safety as MPs enter and move up the food chain. Understanding the exposure route via foodstuffs is essential. In this study, we analyzed MP contamination in commonly available brands of crystal and iodized powder salts from India and Sri Lanka...

The X-Press Pearl accident was the worst maritime environmental disaster in Sri Lanka. Nurdle spill and spread were evident from Panama on the east coast to Thaleimannar on the Northwest coast. In order to understand the chronic nurdle pollution and its nature, the spatial distribution of virgin plastic nurdles from 15 locations spread over the Mou...

We investigated the microplastics (MP) abundance, characteristics and pollution severity in the six coral reef ecosystems along the southern and western coasts of Sri Lanka during the southwest monsoon. The small blue-coloured fibres dominated within coral reefs and reef environments. The average coral, surface water and surface sediment MP concent...

Amid global energy demands and environmental concerns, the exploration of renewable energy sources has become critically important. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of wind energy dynamics over a 35-year period (1988–2022) using CCMP and ERA5 datasets. It focuses on the spatial and temporal characteristics of wind energy within the regi...

The pervasive contamination of the environment with microplastics (MP) poses a potential threat to food safety because MPs enter and move up the food chain. However, the impact of MPs on humans is limited. In this study, we analysed MP contamination of the commonly available brands of crystal and iodized powder salts from India and Sri Lanka. The a...

The characteristics of local surface wind are closely related to the assessment of wind power resources and the oscillation period of offshore wind turbines. In this research, we analyzed near-surface wind observation data from the southern coast of Sri Lanka, comparing the surface wind variation characteristics across different seasons. Through sp...

Mangroves wield a crucial ecological function in Sri Lanka, shielding coastal communities andmarine life from natural disasters. However, beyond their ecological significance, thesemangroves house untapped medicinal properties. This review examines the potentialpharmaceutical value of Sri Lankan mangroves, laying the groundwork for futureinvestigat...

No: ID07 Theme (Mangrove conservation, rehabilitation, and enrichment) ABSTRACT Mangrove ecosystem is most fragile and threatened ecosystem due to urbanization and abiotic stresses such as hurricanes, floods, salinity variations, droughts, etc. which stresses the mangroves exposing to various opportunistic pests, pathogens, and infectious diseases,...

Microplastics (MPs) are becoming a global ecological threat on aquatic ecosystems and it has been identified as an emerging pollutant in Sri Lankan water bodies. Under this context, lagoons are highly vulnerable, as those act as a sink for an array of pollutants. Although there were few studies of MPs conducted in coastal beaches, information on MP...

Fishing is a significant source of marine litter in the waters between India and Sri Lanka. That is one of the main conclusions in the final report of the MARESSOL project mapping the sources and quantities of fisheries related marine waste in the area, providing knowledge basis and recommended avenues for change.

Construction waste has a major impact on the environment. Reusing and recycling this waste can reduce the extraction of raw materials and help waste management. Therefore, this study was focused on ceramic tile waste which is released in the squaring process of tile manufacturing, and to develop a design to protect the coastal area as an end produc...

The Southern Province of Sri Lanka provides numerous socio-economic benefits to the country. As the apex higher education institute in the province, the University of Ruhuna (UoR) was initially established as a university college in 1978 and converted into a university in 1984. The University has contributed to uplifting the socio-economic status o...

Coastal and offshore fisheries in Sri Lanka are mainly dependent on wild fish stocks, which may have been contaminated with microplastics (MPs) that have a potential risk to transfer subsequently to consumers. However, studies on MPs in commercial fish species are limited, and therefore, we estimated the MPs abundance and composition in three speci...

Recently, the adsorption-based environmental remediation techniques have gained a considerable attention, due to their economic viability and simplicity over other methods. Hence, detailed presentation and analysis were herein focused on describing the role of biochar in oil spill removal. Oil removal by utilizing biochar is assumed as a green-orie...

The wide variety of economic activities, which prevail along the coasts, has either direct or indirect connectivity with the coastal ecosystems through provisioning of diverse range of goods and services. However, these systems are permanently under pressure due to natural and anthropogenic threats. This field-based study documents the changing pat...

After the 30-year long civil war was over, the Government of Sri Lanka commenced an accelerated programme to develop the Northern Province. If not carefully planned, such a programme will result in the loss of biodiversity and the consequent loss of services that ecosystems provide humans. Therefore, documenting the biodiversity found within coasta...

Seagrasses, as marine angiosperms, play important roles in coastal ecosystems. With increasing anthropogenic impacts, they are facing dramatic declines on a global scale. Halophila is well-known as a complex taxonomic challenge mainly due to high morphological plasticity. By using only a morphological approach, the genus could be over-split or simi...

Dolphin and whale watching is a new and blooming activity in Sri Lankan tourism industry. However, lack of data on activities and utilization of resources leads inefficiency of managing the resources and activities. Therefore, a scientific and socio economic approach is needed for the understanding and the management of whale watching activities, p...

Lack of proper scientific data on the behaviour of cetaceans is a major constraint in managing whale and dolphin watching activities without affecting cetacean populations in marine waters off Mirissa, where it has become a high income generating tourist activity. Therefore a shipboard surveys were conducted using a special whale watching boat for...

Sri Lanka’s location, historic and geologic isolation from the continental landmass, topography and climate act to shape its biogeography and biodiversity, including conferring a remarkably high level of endemism, given its close proximity to the mainland. The island hosts several ‘point endemic1 species and even monotypic endemic genera. However t...

Global climate action plans risk resulting to climate maladaptation and shocks when prudent measures are inapt. Adaptation strategies require multidisciplinary approach from all sectors with periodic monitoring and evaluation which are carefully planned, locally adaptable and results-oriented. For decades, various governments, development practitio...

As the only marine angiosperm seagrass play a major role in numerous ecosystem services. The link between three seagrass species which can be found in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka and the sediment type they inhabit is revealing through this research.

Recovery of South Asian coral reefs since the 1998 mass bleaching has been patchy; Chagos has shown particularly good recovery, reefs in the western atoll chain of the Maldives and Bar Reef in Sri Lanka have also recovered relatively well, while many reefs near Sri Lanka and reefs in the eastern atoll chain of the Maldives have shown little or no r...

After the three decade-long civil war was over, the Government of Sri Lanka commenced an accelerated programme to develop the Northern Province. If not properly planned, these developmental projects will result in the loss of biological diversity and, in particular, the consequent loss of services that ecosystems provide humans. One of the importan...

The abundance of microplastics (MPs) in surface water and beach sediment in Southern Sri Lanka covering a distance of 91 km of coastline is reported. MPs were classified according to polymer type, geometry and color of the sites tested 60% showed MP contamination in sand and 70% in surface waters off the coast. The size range of MPs from surface wa...

Marine Invasive Alien Species (MIAS) threaten biodiversity, human health and marine industries such as fisheries and tourism. The introduction of alien species from fisheries activities specially through multiday fishing boats, fishing equipment and by catch are poorly studied from Sri Lanka. This study was carried out from March to May 2016, and a...

The wide variety of economic activities, which prevail along the coasts, has either direct or indirect connectivity with the coastal ecosystems through its provisioning of a diverse range of goods and services. However, these systems are permanently under pressure due to natural and anthropogenic threats. This field based study documents the changi...

Sri Lanka's exploration on seagrass by Ceylon Flora Project dates back to 1860s, but initial publications of the country did bit reflect detailed descriptions. After more than a century, in 1991, an island-wide survey was carried out under UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program and recorded 15 species of sea grass introducing comprehensive identification...

Marine Alien Invasive Species (AIS) have been proliferating in marine landscapes as consequences of ballast water discharge, pollution, eutrophication, and climate change. In Sri Lanka, AIS records in marine waters are almost zero compared to terrestrial habitats. Their distribution, abundance and the magnitude of the impact on the ecosystem, its f...

The wide variety of economic activities, which prevail along the coasts, has either direct or indirect connectivity with the coastal ecosystems through its provisioning of a diverse range of goods and services. However, these systems are permanently under pressure due to natural and anthropogenic threats. This field based study documents the changi...

Effects of recent thermal stress on coral communities in Polhena reef in Southern Sri Lanka

Nha Trang is a city in Vietnam endowed with several sceneries which has attracted several tourists around the world over the past few decades. The city is highly characterized by coastal features as well as beautiful landscapes. Among these features are; beaches, caves with swift-let birds, resort centers, islands, traditional temples, forts and so...

A preliminary survey was carried out to find out the issues and constraints of the Polychotomous Coral Identification Key. Findings were used as the primary platform to provide a modified approach to the coral identification process. The conventional coral identification key is a paper-based model, where users often require the help of an identific...

Near shore patchy reef located at the leeward side of the fringing reef at Polhena was surveyed to evaluate spatial patterns of growth rates of Pocillopora damicornis . This study was carried out at three locations of the reef; front, side and back from June to November in 2004. Three sites were selected from each location considering the depth (su...

Lack of proper scientific data on the behaviour of cetaceans is a major constraint in managing whale and dolphin watching activities without affecting cetacean populations in marine waters off Mirissa, where it has become a high income generating tourist activity. Therefore a shipboard surveys were conducted using a special whale watching boat for...

Dolphin and whale watching has become a blooming activity in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Proper scientific data is lacking for the understanding and management of dolphin and whale watching activities particularly in the Southern coast. Based from Mirissa, a shipboard survey was conducted for 43 days from January to May 2012 covering 940 km2...

Most parts of the Southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka are fringed with shallow water coral reefs of high economic, ecological and socioeconomic attributes. Polhena, Madiha and Dondra are some of the places where the isolated coral reefs are located in this region. Descriptive details such as the extent, reef margins, and coral compositions of these...

The coastal zones of South Asia’s five coastal countries (Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, and SriLanka) contain 22.5 percent of the global population and about 40 percent of the economic activities in the region. This region is extraordinarily rich in ecological diversity (Loiczsouthasia.org/southasiacoast.php). This ecological richness...

Seagrass is the only angiosperm that existed in shallow marine environments. They are one of the vital ecosystems which act as a foraging ground of dugong, sea turtles and nesting and feeding ground of various type of fish. Seagrass meadows enhance the water quality of the coastal environment by trapping the sediments of the water and it ensures th...

This study provides baseline information on physico-chemical parameters and the zooplankton community at the Polhena reef, from November 2010 to February 2011, the months of the second inter monsoon to north east monsoon. Water samples were collected from seven stations at 15 day intervals for measurement of physico-chemical parameters and identifi...

Coral population structure is determined mainly by the larval settlement and recruitment pattern of sclerectenian corals. This pattern is mainly influenced by various environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity, depth, current velocity and direction, tidal variations and turbidity. Experiments reported here examine the impacts of tur...

Fishery harbours in Sri Lanka have been facing severe pollution problems since recent past. However, a systematic monitoring of the pollutant load has not been done. This study was carried out at Puranawella harbour, located in the southern coast of Sri Lanka, with the objective of assessing the severity of the pollution level. Investigation was ca...

Delft Island is covered by a mosaic of diverse vegetation types, ranging from natural and semi-natural habitats, to highly anthropogenic habitats. A total of 209 species of flowering plant species representing diverse life forms including epiphytes (one species), shrubs (29 species), climbers (42 species), trees (67 species) and herbs (70 species)...

Coastal ecosystems have been altered primarily induced by anthropogenic interventions. There has occurred a genuine conflict between traditional livelihood practices and present day profi t augmenting commercial practices. Historically coastal ecosystems have been altered by humans to harvest provisioning services and cultural and amenity services....

Dolphin and whale watching is becoming a blooming activity in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Lack of scientific data is a major constraint in understanding and managing of dolphin and whale watching activities, which particularly in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Based from Mirissa, In order to determine the diversity and distribution of ceta...

Consisting of more than 32,000 species, marine fish are the most diverse group of organisms among the chordates (Froese & Pauly, 2012). They are found in most bodies of water and found in nearly all aquatic environments, from high mountain streams to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans. Depending on the oceanic zone they occupy,...

Coral reefs occur along only 2% of the 1585 km coastline of Sri Lanka. Large extents of these reefs are subjected to numerous anthropogenic impacts, with some reefs showing considerable damage by a single activity that is dominant in the area, frequently well rooted in the local community and contributing significantly to the local economy. This st...

Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs), in their variety of forms and scales, are seen as one of the solutions to threats facing the coastal and marine environment, while contributing to the long-term sustainable livelihoods of coastal communities, their cultures and their economies. This Toolkit will assist MCPA managers and practitioners to a...

Coral reefs in Sri Lanka are in a poor condition due to adverse impacts of natural and anthropogenic origin. Understanding the larval settlement patterns followed by their reproductive cycle is necessary for better management or restoration activity. Spatial and temporal patterns of larval settlements at three reefs were investigated in this study....

ABSTRACT Bandaramulla Reef is an isolated reef on the southern coast of Sri Lanka where the activities of tourists, fishermen and coral miners are completely unregulated. As a result, the overall health of the reef is gradually becoming degraded. This paper describes the present status of the reef and highlights the impacts of mining activities. At...

Sri Lanka est une petite île tropicale située entre 5°55’ et 9°55’de latitude nord et 72°42’ et 81°52’ de longitude est, au sud du sous-continent indien. Le pays a une superficie terrestre totale de 65 000 km2, si l’on y inclut les eaux continentales, et de 62 705 km2, les eaux intérieures exclues. Bien que le littoral s’étende sur 1739,3 km enviro...