Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the
North Central Province (NCP), Sri Lanka, is becoming
a major cause of national burden with high mortality
and morbidity. The origins of these kidney diseases are
unknown, and the exact aetiology is not yet under stood. Therefore, as an attempt to understand the effect
of soil characteristics towards the disease, soil of
surface (n = 25) and subsurface (50 cm depth, n = 25
of each) was collected from Horowpothana (HWP
n = 50), Kabithigollawa (KBG n = 50), Medawach chiya (MWC n = 50) and Padaviya (PDW n = 50) of
the NCP, where the highest number of patients is
recorded. The soil samples were analysed using X-ray
fluorescence for 22 major and trace elements, and the
pH, electrical conductivity and oxygen reduction
potential (ORP) for each sample were measured. The
soil of all four villages mainly shows basic conditions.
The high concentration of heavy mineral signatures in
Horowpothana, Kabithigollawa, Padaviya and Meda wachchiya could relate to high CKD patients in these
four areas. The 50-cm soils of all four areas are in
oxidized condition, while surface soil is in the anoxic
condition. High fluctuation between surface and
50 cm may indicate high mobility of ions. According
to the current study, P, F- and Fe2O3 ion could easily
be mobilized into the groundwater of the area and
thereby be related to the highest recorded CKD
patients in these areas. Thus, as for the current study
the heavy metals and elements that indicate the
variations which causes health issues are Fe2O3, Pb,
Zn, Cr, F-, Ti, Cu, Ni, V and Zr.
