Browsing by Author "Suratissa, D. M"

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Embargo
Diversity and distribution of fauna of the Nasese Shore, Suva, Fiji Islands with reference to existing threats to the biota
(Elsevier, 2016-03-30) Suratissa, D. M; Rathnayake, U. S
Faunal diversity and distribution in the Nasese Shore, Suva, Fiji Islands were studied April–August 2014. The belt transect method was employed to study the species richness and abundance of the fauna. Opportunistic observations were performed to supplement the species richness of the selected habitat types: sandy, rocky and muddy (SRM; Habitat 1); mangrove and sandy (MNS; Habitat 2); muddy and sandy (MS; Habitat 3); and rocky and coral (RC; Habitat 4). Sampling was performed during high and low tide. Faunal density was highest in the RC substrate. The density of mud skippers was significantly higher in the MNS habitat than in the other habitats. This findings could well indicate the environmental pollution levels of this habitat. The Shanon–Weiner Index indicated that the RC habitat possesses the highest diversity, whereas the MS habitat possesses the lowest diversity. In addition, major threats to the biota existed.
Embargo
Effect of pollution on diversity of marine gastropods and its role in trophic structure at Nasese Shore, Suva, Fiji Islands
(Elsevier, 2017-06-01) Suratissa, D. M; Rathnayaka, U. S
Ocean supplies a significant amount of food to human population. However, marine ecosystem is under a threat due to the increasing marine pollution. Fiji Islands, located in South Pacific sea, are experiencing such a threat. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effects of pollution on the diversity of marine gastropods in Nasese Shore, Suva, Fiji Islands. A detailed opportunistic survey was conducted; 85 species of marine gastropods molluscas were recorded belonging to 29 families in four different habitats (Habitat 1, Habitat 2, Habitat 3 and Habitat 4) at Nasese Shore during April–September 2014. Compared with Habitat 4, all three other habitats were polluted by frequently added sewages and domestic effluents via artificial and natural creeks to the coastal area. Therefore, diversity and abundance of the gastropods were significantly lower in those three habitats. Furthermore, a higher human consumption rate for some of the gastropods was observed.
Open Access
Scientific Investigation of Ancient Sri Lankan Private Labor Room (Thimbiri Geya)
(Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, 2020) Rathnayake, U. S; Suratissa, D. M; Hashan, T; Siriwardena, K. N. T; Udugama, D. C
Sri Lanka is a proud nation in the world for its ancient architectural and irrigational structures. Unlike today, the hospitals were not served for purpose of natural labor and delivery. Most of the houses have had a private labor room (Thimbiri Geya) for the purpose. However, the architectural plan of the labor room was different from the other bedrooms of the house. The room had provided the better quality of hygienic level and health conditions to the expecting mothers and the newborn babies. The room was sometimes used for other functions including the control of epidemic diseases, control of post childbirth psychosis and for healing wounds. It is interested to understand the scientific concepts behind this labor room and then, to learn and practice them if possible, for today’s world. Therefore, experiments were carried out using three sample labor rooms (3×4 square feet sized) under the same environmental conditions to scientifically investigate the ancient architecture. Unit A were constructed similar to the ancient labor room while unit B was constructed similar to the ancient labor room, but the walls were built by cement blocks and unit C was constructed according to the modern-day room with cement floors. These three rooms were monitored for atmospheric temperature, atmospheric humidity, dissolved oxygen (DO) of water samples of well water and pipe born water and microbial actions on some selected food (bread, meat and fish). It was found out that the room temperature and humidity levels of unit A were much lower to the other rooms and the three strata of floor in unit A could be reason for those. In addition, higher DO levels and lower microbial activities were recorded in unit A. The results suggest the usage of ancient system is a way forward approach in the path of sustainability in health care facilities in the modern world. However, it is also advised to have more experiments in a longer time span to reveal more interesting features of the ancient labor room (Thimbiri Geya) in Sri Lanka