Lakshman Galagedara, B.Sc. (Hons.) (University of Peradeniya), M.Agri.(Obihiro University), Ph.D. (Guelph)
Professor – Environmental Science/BERI
Office: AS3020
Phone: (709)639-2565
Email: lgalagedara@grenfell.mun.ca
Profile
My research focus is on land and water resources development & management leading to sustainable ecosystems, agriculture, and water and food security. The continuous increasing global population will put more pressure on land and water as they are the most important natural resources, as far as water supply, agriculture and ecosystem sustainability are concerned. The greatest challenge that scientists, engineers, economists and policy makers face today is guaranteeing water and food security for the ever increasing global population while managing land and water resources without damaging the vital eco-systems. Development and management of water resources has become a very complex issue since water is considered a social good. Changing climate has put additional pressures and complexities on land and water resources. Maintaining economic efficiency, social equity and ecosystem sustainability while achieving water and food security for people therefore, has been received much attention today than ever before. Thus, interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary approaches are needed to develop and manage land and water resources. On-going research works: (i) Mapping spatio-temporal variability of soil hydraulic and physical properties using EMI in managed and natural landscapes in Western Newfoundland; (ii) Hydrogeophysical characterization of agricultural soils with integrated GPRI-EMI; (iii) Quantitative and qualitative inventory of organic waste in support of enhanced valorization through integrated re-use; (iv) Water retention properties of agricultural soils in western Newfoundland amended with Biochar; (v) High value added agricultural production through on-farm, integrated, re-use of nutrients from dairy liquid waste streams; (vi) Long term climatic data analysis and trend prediction: upcoming challenges for agricultural management in western Newfoundland; (vii) Interdisciplinary water resources management (IWRM) in the context of climate change, gender and equity issues in Sri Lanka.
Research Interests
- Hydrological modeling and effect of climate change on land & water resources and food security
- Hydrological processes and functions from pedon to watershed scales
- Hydrogeophysics – application of non-invasive geophysics to near surface hydrology
- Modeling of water and contaminant transport through porous media
- Agricultural water productivity
- Interdisciplinary approaches in sustainable water resources & watershed management
- Water pollution control and wastewater treatment
Current Research Projects and Grants
- 2019 – 2023: “Integrated EMI–GPR surveys can support precision agriculture by monitoring and evaluating the effects of land uses and agricultural management” – NSERC Discovery Grant
- 2021 – 2023: “Establishing an agricultural research station to build training and research capacity in environmentally sustainable agricultural practices in the boreal climate zone” – Bragg Family Grant
- 2021 – 2023: “Evaluating the potential of using a combination of bioremediation and phytoremediation fora hydrocarbon and metal contaminated site” – MITACS (Co-PI)
- 2020 – 2023: “Improving soil quality for enhanced crop production and water use efficiency using integrated EMI–GPR surveys” – TCII-Leverage (GovtNL)
- 2020 – 2023: “Design, fabrication and evaluation of a small scale and low cost vertical garden hydroponic system” – Mitacs, Easy Grows
- 2018 – 2020: “Assessing the dairy digestate as a nutrient and water source in soil based and hydroponic greenhouse vegetable production” – CAP:FLR, GovNL & AAFC (Co-PI)
- 2019 – 2023: “Evaluate the potential of Rock dust as a media amendment for vegetable production in control environment production system and mine site rehabilitation” – NSERC-CRD (Co-PI)
- 2019 – 2021: “Rock dust from mine waste as a natural media amendment in forest reclamation and production of high value agronomic and horticultural crops” – TCII: GovtNL (Co-PI)
- 2019 – 2020: “Rock dust from mine waste as a natural media amendment in forest reclamation and production of high value agronomic and horticultural crops”. ACOA & Anaconda Mining (Co-PI)
- 2019 – 2021: “Low-input agriculture in cool climate boreal ecosystems” – AAFC-CleanTech (Co-PI)
- 2018 – 2021: “Study of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPPL) byproducts and potential uses for food production” – MITACS and CBPPL (Co-PI)
- 2018 – 2020: “Trend analysis and forecast model for weather parameters in Newfoundland” – SBM-MUN
- 2017 – 2020: “Assessment of the nutrient value and utilisation options for anaerobic digestate obtained from a dairy liquid waste stream (NWD)” – ACOA/RDC/MUN/NWD (Co-PI)
- 2017 – 2019: “Generation of Biochar from different organic wastes and testing for soil hydraulic properties” – SBM-MUN
- 2016 – 2019: “Hydrogeophysical characterization of agricultural soils in western Nfld using Integrated GPR-EMI” – RDC Ignite R&D
- 2015 – 2019: “Mapping spatio-temporal variability of apparent electrical conductivity in managed and natural landscapes in Western Newfoundland” – Start-up, Grenfell Campus
Selected Journal Publications
- Jeyakumar, L., McKenzie, D., Zhang, Y., Galagedara, L., Bittman, S., Hunt, D. (2021). Modeling tile drainage outflow in thin agricultural soils with impermeable under layer in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Advances in Environmental and Engineering Research, 2(2): 1–20. doi:10.21926/aeer.2102016.
- Altdorff, D.#, Borchard, N., Young, E., Galagedara, L., Sorvali, J., Quideau, S., Unc, A. (2021). Agriculture in boreal and Arctic regions requires an integrated global approach for research and policy. Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2021) 41:23. doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00676-1.
- Arnott, A.#, Galagedara, L., Thomas, R., Cheema, M., Jean-Marie Sobze, J-M. (2021). The potential of rock dust nanoparticles to improve seed germination and seedling vigor of native species: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 775, 25 June 2021, 145139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145139.
- Sadatcharam, K.#, Altdorff, D.#, Unc, A., Krishnapillai, M., Galagedara, L. (2020). Depth sensitivity of apparent magnetic susceptibility measurements using multi-coil and multi-frequency electromagnetic induction. Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 25(3): 301–314. doi: 10.32389/JEEG20-001.
- Illawathure, C.#, Cheema, M., Kavanagh, V., Galagedara, L. (2020). Distinguishing the capillary fringe reflection in a GPR profile for precise water table depth estimation in a boreal podzolic soil field. Water 2020, 12(6), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061670.
- Ashiq, W., Nadeem, M., Ali, W., Zaeem, M., Wu, J., Galagedara, L., Thomas, R., Kavanagh, V., Cheema, M. (2020). Biochar amendment mitigates greenhouse gases emission and global warming potential in dairy manure based silage corn in boreal climate. Environmental Pollution 265 (2020) 114869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114869.
- Altdorff, D.#, Sadatcharam, K., Unc, A., Krishnapillai, M., Galagedara, L. (2020). Comparison of multi-frequency and multi-coil electromagnetic induction (EMI) for mapping properties in shallow podsolic soils. Sensors 2020, 20, 2330; doi:10.3390/s20082330.
- Chandrasiri, S.#, Galagedara, L., Mowjood, M. (2020). Impacts of rainfall variability on paddy production: A case from BAYAWA minor irrigation tank in Sri Lanka. Paddy and Water Environment, Feb 2020, 1-12; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-020-00793-9.
- Illawathure, C.#, Parkin, G., Lambot, S., Galagedara, L. (2019). Evaluating soil moisture estimation from ground-penetrating radar hyperbola fitting with respect to a systematic time domain reflectometry data collection in a boreal podzolic agricultural field. Hydrological Processes, October 2019, 1-18; doi: 10.1002/hyp.13646.
- Badewa, E.#, Unc, A., Cheema, M., Galagedara, L. (2018). Temporal stability of apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in managed podzols. ACTA Geophysica, Online 23 May 2019. doi:10.1007/s11600-019-00306-1.
- Amarasingha, R.#, Suriyagoda, L., Marambe, B., Galagedara, L., Punyawardena, R. (2018). Impact of climate change on rice yield in Sri Lanka: A crop modelling approach using Agriculture Production System Simulator (APSIM). Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture, 4(1): 21-26.
- Badewa, E.#, Unc, A., Cheema, M., Kavanagh, V., Galagedara, L. (2018). Soil moisture mapping using multi-frequency and multi-coil electromagnetic induction sensors on managed podzols. Agronomy 2018, (8)224: 1-16. doi:10.3390/agronomy8100224.
- King, M., Altdorff, D.#, Li, P., Galagedara, L., Holden, J., Unc, A. (2018). Northward shift of the agricultural climate zone under 21st-century global climate change. Scientific Reports (2018)8: 7904. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-26321-8.
- Sahaa, R.#, Dey, N.C., Rahman, S., Galagedara, L., Bhattacharya, P. (2018). Exploring suitable sites for installing safe drinking water wells in coastal Bangladesh. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 7(2018): 9-10. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2018.03.002.
- Altdorff, D.#, Galagedara, L., Nadeem, M., Cheema, M., Unc, A. (2018). Effect of agronomic treatments on the accuracy of soil moisture mapping by electromagnetic induction. CATENA, 164(2018): 96-106. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2017.12.036
- Altdorff, D.#, Galagedara, L., and Unc, A. (2017). Impact of projected land conversion on water balance of boreal soils. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 8(4): 613-626. jwc2017016; doi: 10.2166/wcc.2017.016.
- Amarasingha, R.K., Suriyagoda, L.D.B, Marambe, B., Rathnayake, U.K., Gaydon, D.S., Galagedara, L.W., Punyawardena, R., Silva, L.P., Nidumolu, U., Howden, M. (2017). Improving water productivity in moisture-limited rice-based cropping systems through incorporation of maize and mungbean: A modeling approach. Agricultural Water Management, 189(2017): 111-122. doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2017.05.002.
- Wijewardana, Y.N.S., Shilpadi, A.T., Mowjood, M.I.M., Kawamoto, K., Galagedara, L.W. (2017). Ground penetrating radar (GPR) responses for sub-surface salt contamination and solid waste: modeling and controlled lysimeter studies. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, (2017) 189:57, 15 P. doi: 10.1007/s10661-017-5770-4.
Selected Conference Publications
- Pathirana, S.#, Galagedara, L., Gunatilake, J. (2021). Estimation of depth to the groundwater table fluctuation with hydrus-1d model. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Rathnayake, N.#, Galagedara, L. (2021). Review of technologies used for wastewater management in pulp and paper industry. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Short Oral).
- Pathirana, S.#, Galagedara, L., Smeaton, C., Unc, A. (2021). Evaluating the impact of irrigation water salinity on the amplitude of ground penetrating radar direct ground wave. Abstract presented (Oral) at the Symposium on the “Application of Proximal and Remote Sensing Technologies for Soil Investigations" (A Virtual Event), 16-19 August 2021, the USA.
- Farhain, M.#, Cheema, M., Katanda, Y., Nadeem, M., Javed, B., Thomas, R., Galagedara, L. (2021). Assessment of hydrological properties of soil-based growth media using wood ash, paper sludge and biochar. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Farhain, M.#, Cheema, M., Katanda, Y., Nadeem, M., Javed, B., Mushtaq, I., Thomas, R., Galagedara, L. (2021). Heavy metals leaching potential and water flow simulation of NL podzolic soil amended with wood ash, paper sludge and biochar in boreal ecosystem. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Illawathure, C.#, Galagedara, L., Cheema, M., Unc, A., Kavanagh, V. (2021). Estimating the capillary height in a boreal podzolic soil field using ground penetrating radar. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Saha, R.#, Nadeem, M., Thomas, R., Hawboldt, K., Galagedara, L. (2021). Assessing the temporal effects of biochar amendment on pH and EC of podzolic soil. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Short Oral).
- Perera, S.#, Galagedara, L., Jayasena, C., Unc, A., Vasilyeva, O. (2021). Evaluation of five evapotranspiration models to estimate potential evapotranspiration in Newfoundland, Canada. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Perera, S.#, Galagedara, L., Unc, A., Jayasena, C., Vasilyeva, O. (2021). Innovative trend analysis of total precipitation, temperatures, potential evapotranspiration and total water balance of Newfoundland. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Short Oral).
- Pathirana, S.#, Galagedara, L., Smeaton, C., Unc, A. (2021). The utility of integrated ground penetrating radar-electromagnetic induction for assessing the relationship between soil water saturation and apparent electrical conductivity. 5th CIGR International Conference 2021 on “Integrating Agriculture and Society through Engineering”, May 11-14, 2021, Quebec, Canada – Virtual (Oral).
- Pathirana, S.#, Galagedara, L., Smeaton, C., Unc, A. (2021). Assessing the variability of soil water content with ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic induction. SAGEEP – 2021: 33rd International “Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems”, March 14-19, 2021 – Online (Oral).
- Ellsworth, S.#, Katanda, Y., Guo, X., Galagedara, L., Thomas, R., Cheema, M. (2020). The effects of crop rotation and nitrogen fertilizer additives on mineral N and gaseous losses in a boreal climate. Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Coference – Farming Solutions, 12-13, March, 2020, Organized by the AAFC and the Univesity of Sasketchwan, Sakatoon, SK.
- Illawathure, C.#, Parkin, G., Lambot, S., Galagedara, L. (2019). Soil moisture estimation from GPR hyperbola fitting in the agricultural root zone. CSBE/SCGAB AGM and Technical Conference – 2019, Vancouver, “Biosystems for Clean Technology and Low Carbon Economy”, July 14-17, 2019, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31373.08164.
- Priyasiri, P., Wijewardana, S., Galagedara, L. (2019). Soil water repellency of agricultural soils in Uva Province of Sri Lanka (POSTER). CSBE/SCGAB AGM and Technical Conference – 2019, Vancouver, “Biosystems for Clean Technology and Low Carbon Economy”, July 14-17, 2019, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13757.00481.
- Yuan, T., Illawathure, C.#, Warren, J., Galagedara, L. (2019). Physical and chemical characterization of biochars from four biomass waste feedstocks. In: Abstract Booklet of Joint Annual Meeting of the CSSS-CSAFM, June 9-13, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.21516.46722.
- Harvey, Z.#, Thomas, R., Cheema, M., Galagedara, L. (2019). Development and testing of glacial sediment as a suitable growth medium for vegetable production. In: Abstract Booklet of Joint Annual Meeting of the CSSS-CSAFM, June 9-13, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14805.58087.
- Galagedara, L., Mowjood, M., Vidanage, S. (2018). Village tank cascade systems as an adaptation strategy for climate change and agricultural sustainability (ORAL – 145). CSBE/SCGAB AGM and Technical Conference – 2018, Guelph, “Greening the Globe: Sustainability through Innovation”, July 22-25, 2018 - Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Badewa, E.#, Unc, A., Cheema, M., Galagedara, L. (2018). Temporal stability of apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in managed podzols (POSTER – 146). CSBE/SCGAB AGM and Technical Conference – 2018, Guelph, “Greening the Globe: Sustainability through Innovation”, July 22-25, 2018 - Guelph, Ontario, Canada.