Research Team of Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Visited the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Toxic Chemicals in the Air, MORATOXA

28 09, 2023

Recently, at the invitation of the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, a delegation led by Prof. Zhang Gan from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited Sri Lanka. The delegation included Prof. Li Jun, Associate Professors Zhong Guangcai and Zhao Shizhen. All of them are key members to the ANSO project "Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Toxic Chemicals in the Air, MORATOXA". This visit was to gain an extensive understanding of research advancements and concerns related to toxic air pollutants in the post-COVID-19 era among our Sri Lankan counterparts. Additionally, it aimed to facilitate substantial exchanges and foster cooperation between both parties.

On the morning of June 30, the delegation members visited the Department of Geology and the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Peradeniya. Zhang Gan and other members participated in a group meeting and discuss with Professor Pitawala, Postgraduate Institute of Science, Professor Parakrama Karunaratne, and Senior Lecturer Suranga Kodithuwakku, among others. Zhang Gan presented the latest findings from their previous research on sedimental records in ancient water tanks within high-incidence areas affected by chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in north-central Sri Lanka. Besides, they discussed progress made in their ongoing joint air sampling campaign with the Sri Lankan team. Pitawala acknowledged the current achievements made by the project team and would like to offer full support for their upcoming sample collection in Kandy. He looks forward to further collaboration on atmospheric and aquatic pollution research.

Subsequently, the Chinese delegation visited the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education & Research, which was established by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Peradeniya. The two sides jointly held a seminar on the potential cooperation programs between China and Sri Lanka, which was co-chaired by Sujithra Weragoda, director of the China-Sri Lanka research project, and Zhang Gan. More than 10 academic stuffs attended the meeting, including Professor Jinadasa and Professor Parakrama Karunaratne. Sujithra Weragoda hoped that they could utilize the platform of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education & Research to promote substantive exchanges such as personnel visits between China and Sri Lanka, seeking more cooperation opportunities in the future. Zhang Gan pointed out that both sides should deepen their cooperation in predominant scientific research directions and jointly publish high-level achievements of scientific research.

On the afternoon of June 30, the project team members demonstrated the sample collection for the local technicians of Sri Lanka in the laboratory of the Chemical Engineering Building, to ensure the implementation of sampling work in Sri Lanka. Li Jun and Zhao Shizhen illustrated the sampling principle and standard operation procedures. They also emphasized the do's and don'ts of air, dust and human hair sampling campaign, and demonstrated the operation of the atmospheric active sampler on site. The existing problems raised by local technicians were carefully answered.

Led by the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the "Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Toxic Chemicals in the Air (MORATOXA)" project (ANSO-CR-KP-2021-05), was funded by the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in 2021. This project aims to contribute to the national initiative of a "Green Silk Road" and address the crucial need for clean air, life and health. Its objective is to uncover urban environmental air and indoor air toxic pollution characteristics, assess associated health risks, and propose targeted risk management and control measures. The University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka is one of six partners involved in this project. This visit serves as an important component within the MORATOXA project, holding significant value in promoting scientific and technological cooperation between CAS and Sri Lanka while enhancing CAS's academic standing and influence on air toxics not only in Sri Lanka but also in its surrounding areas.

Source: Dr. Zhao Shizhen, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GIGCAS)