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CKDU Polonnaruwa District
22 July 21
Sri Lanka
Cadmium, which is nephrotoxic, is found in Eppawala Apatite (rock phosphate- EP). Rock phosphate is used to manufacture phosphate fertilisers such as Triple Super Phosphate (TSP).
Although EP, and TSP contain cadmium, it is present in insoluble complex forms. When these phosphatic fertilizers are applied to soils, only a very small percentage of cadmium, in the fertiliser gets into water as cadmium ion (Cd ++). The balanced cadmium is not easily available and remains as an insoluble complex. Hence, Cd is not available for plants to be absorbed. A number of soil factors, such as soil pH, determine Cd availability. TSP is used as a fertiliser in all agricultural areas in the country including upcountry, but CKDu is reported mainly in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.
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