DR. K S S ATAPATHTHU

• B.Sc (Honors) (Ruhuna, SL)
• M.Sc (AIT, Thailand)
• Ph.D. (Saitama, Japan)

• ORCID
  
• Publoans
  
• Scopus
  
• Academia

•   Member of the Governing Board of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)
•   Chief Editor of the News Letter of the University of Ruhuna
•   Chief Editor of the Journal of the University of Ruhuna 
•   Member of the Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science &   Technology
•   Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the University of Ruhuna (2016-2021)
•   Member of the Editorial Board of the News Letter of the University of Ruhuna (2016-2021)
•   Faculty Representative of the sports advisory board of the University of Ruhuna
•   Faculty Representative of the University website committee
•   Faculty coordinator of the Academic Sessions and Vice Chancellors Award 2020
•   Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Applied Agriculture

• Theoretical Ecology and Ecological Modeling
• Physics of Water
• Limnology of Wetlands, Lagoons and Estuaries
• Quality Assessment of Aquatic Systems
• Principles and Applications of Hydrology
• Disaster Analysis and Management
• Water Economics

• Abiotic stress on aquatic plants and their ecology
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Aquatic ecology
• Phytoremediation
• Rainfall analysis

• Rajapaksha, R. P., Wu, M.-L., Wang, Y.-T., Bandara, G., Atapaththu, K. S. S., & Wang, Y.-S. (2024). Long-term alterations of nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton communities in Daya Bay, South China Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 208, 116955. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116955
  

• Pabasara KAE, Atapaththu KSS, Sanjaya k, Ganadeepan S and Jayasinghe A (2024). A decadal change in agricultural land use reduce macroinvertebrate diversity in a headwater stream; A case study in Sri Lanka. Fundamentals and Applied Limnology. Online published Jan 2024
  

• Wu M, Zhao H, Han Q, Hui L, Elumalai V, Chen L and Atapaththu KSS (2023) Editorial: Macroecology of coastal zones under global changes. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1208448. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1208448

• Menik Hitihami M. A. S. V. Gunawardana, Kelum Sanjaya, Keerthi S. S. Atapaththu, Ajith L. W. Y. Yapa Mudiyanselage, Kanaji Masakorala, Shirani M. K. Widana Gamage (2022). Quantitative prediction of toxin-producing Aphanizomenon cyanobacteria in freshwaters using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. J Water Health. 20(9) 1364-1379. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2022.093
  
• Gamage, L.K.T., Thushari, G.G.N., Atapaththu, K.S.S., Kumara, H.K.R.S., Senevirathna, J.D.M. (2021). Diversity, Length-Weight Relations, and Condition Factor of Sea Cucumbers in Three Coastal Areas Along the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 21, 575-588.
  
• Senavirathna, M.D.H.J., Muhetaer, G., Atapaththu, K.S.S. and Takashi Fujino (2021). Egeria densa Allelopathy on Microcystis aeruginosa Under Different Light Intensities and Preliminary Insight into Inter-Parameter Relationships. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 135
• Weerakoon HPAT, Atapaththu KSS, Asanthi HB (2018): Toxicity evaluation and environmental risk assessment of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) on nontarget aquatic macrophyte Hydrilla verticillata. Environmental Science and Pollution Research: 1-12
• Atapaththu KSS, Mahfuza P, Takashi A, M. Harun R (2018): Growth and oxidative stress response of aquatic macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum to sediment anoxia. Fundamentals and Applied Limnology 19 (4): 289-29
• Atapaththu,K.S.S., Asaeda T., Yamamuro M., Kamiya H. (2017): Effects of water turbulence on plant, sediment and water quality in reed (Phragmites australis) community. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 36, No. 1, p. 1–9
• Atapaththu, K.S.S., Rashid, M.H., Asaeda, T., (2016). Growth and Oxidative Stress of Brittlewort (Nitella pseudoflabellata) in Response to Cesium Exposure. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 96, 347-353.

• Atapaththu, K.S.S. and Asaeda, T. (2015) Growth and stress responses of Nuttall’s waterweed Elodea nuttallii (Planch) St. John to water movements. Hydrobiologia, 747, 217- 233.
• Atapaththu, K.S.S., Miyagi, A., Atsuzawa, K., Kaneko, Y., Kawai-Yamada, M. & Asaeda, T. (2015) Effects of water turbulence on variations in cell ultrastructure and metabolism of amino acids in the submersed macrophyte, Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John. Plant Biology, 17, 997-1004
• Herath, S. S and Atapaththu, K.S.S. (2013). Sudden weaning of angel fish, Pterophyllum scalare (Lichtenstein) (Pisces; Cichlidae) larvae from brine shrimp (Artemia sp) nauplii to formulated larval feed. SpringerPlus 2,102.

Peer Reviewed (National)

• Atapaththu, K.S.S. (2023). Ecological significance of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Headwater Streams. Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment.13 (2) pp 1-9. https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v13i02.6840

• Gunawardana, M.H.M.A.S.V., Wijesooriya, M.M., Randima, G.W.A.P., Atapaththu, K.S.S., Sanjaya, K., Masakorala, K. and Gamage, S.M.K.W., 2022. Co-occurrence of microcystin and cylindrospermopsin in hypereutrophic Mahakanadarawa and Nachchaduwa reservoirs. Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya, 15(1), pp.67–97. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/josuk.v15i1.8052.
• HB Asanthi, KSS Atapaththu, SS Herath, LN Wijewardene, AWAT Dilhan (2022). Temporal analysis of student satisfaction on degree programs conducted by the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology in the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Ruhuna Quality Assurance Sessions 2022 (RUQAS 2022). 43-50

• Kariyawasam, K.W.J.V.T., Yapa, Y.M.A.L.W and Atapaththu, K.S.S (2023). Application of Sodium Alginate Extracted from Brown Algae: Sargassum illicifolium to Encapsulate Indole-3-acitic acid. International Conference of Applied Sciences. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
• Dilhani, N.V.M., Yapa, Y.M.A.L.W, Gangabadage, C.S., Atapaththu, K.S.S., and Kumara, P.B.T.P (2023). Microplastics Pollution in Garanduwa Lagoon, Matara Sri Lanka. International Conference of Applied Sciences. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
• Dilshan W.L.T. , Asanthi H.B., Maithreepala R.A., Atapaththu K.S.S. , Costa A.M.K.C.J. , Suranga D.K.A.I. Effect of pH and Light Intensity on the Growth of Dunaliella Salina. Proceedings of the 27th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2023 of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  
• Kumara,  D.K.I.P., Madhawa, R.M.L, Kaushalya  W.H.U, Kumara H.K.R.S, Herath S.S and Atapaththu K.S.S (2023). Effect of Stocking Density of All-Male Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on Integrated Rice Production: Oryza sativa L. (At362). Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University Sri Lanka.
  
• Gunawardane M.H.M.A.S.V, Widana Gamage S.M.K, Wijesooriya M.M, Randima G.W.A.P, Masakorala K, Atapaththu K.S.S and Sanjaya K (2021). Cyanotoxins in Sri Lankan Waterbodies: Case study in Chandrika Wewa in Walawa river basin. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment. University of Ruhuna.
• Prasad1 G.H.D.S, Gamage T.P.D, Atapaththu K.S.S and Gomes P.I.A (2020). Effect of Urbanization on Water Quality of Selected Canals in Colombo and its Suburbs; with Special Reference to Diatoms . Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment. University of Ruhuna
• Lalith K.G., Thushari G.G.N., Atapaththu K.S.S., Kumara H.K.R., Senevirathna J.D.M. (2020). Assessment of biodiversity and population dynamic aspects of sea cucumber species along southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science Spring Meeting 2020. SDG 19, March 26-30, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. Tokyo, Japan, pp 155
• Priyadharshani H.M.C, Atapaththu K.S.S, Sanjaya K, Priyadharshana T. (2019). Aquatic plant and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity in headwaters of Sapugahadola stream Walasmulla. Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environmenta Symposium of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka.
• Premarathna M.A.P.N, Asanthi H.B and Atapaththu K.S.S (2018). Phytoremidiation of Excess Water Hardness in Drinking Water: A Causative Factor for CKDu in Bandagiriya. Proceedings 3 of the International Forestry and Environmenta Symposium of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka
• Chandrasiri K.S.U, Atapaththu K.S.S, Asanthi H.B, Samaradivakara S and Hirimuthugoda N.Y (2018). Influencing Factors and Mechanism for Morphological Alteration of Apanogeton crispus and their Genetic Comparision at the Dediyagala Stream, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environmenta Symposium of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka
• Harun, R., Atapaththu, K.S.S. & Asaeda, T. (2016). Calcification of NItella: Implication for phytoremidiation of cesium contamination. In SIL 2016 Torino Italy.
• Atapaththu, K.S.S., Atsuzawa, K., Kaneko, Y., & Asaeda, T. (2015). Effects of water turbulence on plant growth and ultra-structures of aquatic macrophyte; Elodea nuttallii , Ecology and Civil Engineering Society: 113, Koriyama, Japan
• Atapaththu, K.S.S , T. Asaeda and Md Harun Rashid (2014). Growth and stress response of Nitella to cesium. Proceedings of the 79th conference of the Japanese society of Limnology.
• Atapaththu K.S.S and T. Asaeda 2014. Stress response of aquatic macrophyte; Myriophyllum spicatum to sediment oxygen redox potential. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RIVER AND LAKE ENVIRONMENT, Chuncheon, KOREA,
• Atapaththu, K.S.S & T. Asaeda (2014). Ecological Significance of turbulence in reed community (Phragmites japonica); case study Lake Shinji, Japan. The 17th Symposium of River Ecology Research, Tokyo Japan.
• Atapaththu, K.S.S. & T. Asaeda, 2014. Growth and stress responses of submersed macrophyte; Myriophyllum spicatum to turbulence and main flow. Proceedings of the Ecology and Civil Engineering Society: 305–308, Tokyo, Japan.
• Atapaththu, K.S.S. Radampola, K and Herath, S.S. (2012). Preliminary study on algal development in indoor fish tanks, Proceedings of the second international symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. University Park, Oluvil, 32360, Sri Lanka.
• Herath, S.S and Atapaththu, K.S.S. (2012). Effects of different live feeds on growth performance of fighter fish (Betta splendens). Proceedings of the second international symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. University Park, Oluvil, 32360, Sri Lanka.
• Atapaththu, K. and Yakupitiyage, A. (2009). Life Cycle Assessment of Shrimp farming in Sri Lanka. Poster presentation at the International Symposium on Aquaculture and Fisheries Education, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand Conferences and Meetings of Professional Associations Gunathilaka K.P.D,

• K.S.S. Atapaththu, Ganadeepan Subramaniam,  Kelum Sanjaya, and Tilak Priyadarshana (2024).   Spatiotemporal Variability of Sri Lankan rainfall from 1990 to 2020.  Proceedings of the 5th National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences 2024. University of Colombo Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences Sri Lanka.
  
• Ganadeepan Subramaniam , K.S.S. Atapaththu, Kelum Sanjaya , Xin Wang and Tilak Priyadarshana 2023. Analysis of decadal changes of rainfall variability in the southern Sri lanka. 4^th  National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences, University of Colombo Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences, Sri Lanka
  
• HKAE Prasadika, DKAI Suranga, HPL Guruge, KSS Atapaththu, HB Asanthi 2022. Formation of Purple Reddish Colour in Salt Pans. Proceedings of the 19^th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna. P88.
  
• KSS Atapaththu, K Sanjaya, HPL Guruge, MHMASV Gunawardana, WGSM Kumari, ED Jayalath, S Prasad, YMALW Yapa, RA Maithreepala (2022). First Record of the Freshwater Red Algal Genus Batrachospermum from Southern Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 19^th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna. P3.

• Gunawardana M.H.M.A.S.V., SanjayaK., Atapaththu K.S.S., Yapa Y.M.A.L.W, Masakorala K. and Widana Gamage S.M.K. (2022) Dinoflagellate, peridinium: a successful colonizer in nutrient-poor maussakelle reservoir. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress, Sri Lanka: 28th-30th October 2022.

• K.S.S. Atapaththu., S.S. Herath., Kelum Sanjaya., R.D.N. Wijesinghe., P.A.K.N. Dissanayake., R.G.A. Iroshani, K.H. Niroshana., W.A.L Madhushika., K.G.C.A. Bandaratilake, Asanthi, H.B (2021). Issues and challenges of e-learning, and performances of students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.  Ruhuna Quality Assuarance Sessions 43-49
  

• Gunawardane M.H.M.A.S.V, Widana Gamage S.M.K, Wijesooriya M.M, Randima G.W.A.P, Masakorala K, Atapaththu K.S.S and Sanjaya K (2020). Trophic Status and Spatial Variation of Cyanobacterial Diversity in Lunugamwehera Reservoir, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University.
  
• Gunathilaka K.P.D, Atapaththu K.S.S and Maithreepala R.A (2019). Combine effect of substrate and water flow rate on Aponogeton crispus, Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria natans. Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR).
• Yashmika B, Gamage T.P.D, Atapaththu K.S.S and Wickramaarachchi T.N (2019). Impact assessment of climate change and land use change on flood behavior of Nilwala River, Matara, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR).
• Gunathilaka K.P.D, Atapaththu K.S.S and Maithreepala R.A (2019). Combine effect of substrate and water flow rate on Aponogeton crispus, Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisnaria natans. Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR).
• Weerakoon, H.P.A.T, Jayalath G.E.D, Atapaththu K.S.S and Asanthi H,B (2019). Efects of 2- methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) on Lemna valdiviana. 16th Academic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
  
• Kelum Sanjaya, Keerthi Atapaththu, Eranga Dilshan, Athri Thathsarani and Chandani Chalanika (2019). Plant and Benthic Macroinvertibrates communities in the Headwater region of a stream: Case study Wathurawa Ela a tributary of Ginganga, Deniyaya. 16th Academic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
• Sandaruwani TDS, Atapaththu KSS, Asanthi HB (2018): Distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in a forested stream: Case study in Kottawa Forest Reserve. Journal of the University of Ruhuna 6 (1): 8-14
• Atapaththu, K.S.S., Asaeda, T., Miyagi, A, Kawai-Yamda, M, Atsuzawa, K & Kaneko, Y. (2018). Metabolic, ultra-structural and growth responses of Nuttalli’s water weed Elodea nuttallii St. John when subject to water flow. 15th Academic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
• Kaluthrage, N.K, Wedamulla P.G and Atapaththu, K.S.S. (2018). Investigation of the best method for extraction of fish anesthetic compounds from common tephrosia (Kathurupila); Tephrosia purpurea leaves and effects of the extracts on fish (guppies). 5 th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
• Weerakoon, H.P.A.T, Atapaththu, K.S.S & Asanthi, H.B (2017). Stress responses and risk analysis of Hydrilla verticellata exposed to pesticide 2-Methyl4Chlorophenoxyacetic Acid (MCPA). Twenty Third Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 26Ih May 2017.Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Atapaththu, K.S.S, Md. H. Rashid, Kaneko, Y and Asaeda, T (2017). Impacts of Calcium on Brittlewort (Nitella pseudoflabellata) exposed to cesium. 14th Acadeic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
• Rupasinghe, J.W and Atapaththu, K. (2006).Do women make an impact on Lagoon Fisheries. Case study at Rekawa lagoon South Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 10th Conference on Women Studies, Sri Lanka
• Atapaththu, K.S.S. and Nissanka,.C. (2005) Present status of fishery in Rekawa Lagoon, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the third Science Symposium of faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
• Atapaththu, K.S.S. and Jagath, W. Rupasinghe (2005).Marketing pattern of lagoon fishery; Case study of Rekawa Lagoon in South Sri Lanka (Abstract). Proceedings of the third Science Symposium of faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.

Book Chapters

• Cooray, N. S., U. Premarathna, K. S. S. Atapaththu, and T. Priyadarshana. 2022. Development and Challenges of Indian Ocean Blue Economy and Opportunities for Sri Lanka. Global Blue Economy: Analysis, Developments, and Challenges 8:6 in Md. Nazrul Islam and Steven M. Bartell (Ed) Global Blue Economy Analysis, Developments, and Challenges. CRC Press.
  
• Atapaththu K.S.S and Asaeda T (2016). Responses of Freshwater Macrophytes to Fluctuations in Abiotic Stress Vectors. In Rodney C.E (Ed) Aquatic Plants: Composition, Nutrient Concentration and Environmental Impact. NOVA science publishers 

• The Best Oral Presentation Award for the Technical Session of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2022.
• The Best Oral Presentation Award for the Technical Session of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2018.
• The Best Oral Presentation Award for the Technical Session of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2017.
• Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarships (2012-2015). A full scholarship was awarded by the Japanese government to purse Doctoral degree at the Saitama University, Japan.
• The C. Kwei Lin prize (May 2010), For the most outstanding academic performance in the field of Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources management, AIT, Thailand ADBJSP scholarship (2008-2010), A full scholarship was awarded from Asian Development Bank through AIT to pursue a Master of Science degree in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management at Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
• L.C. DE Silva Memorial Gold Medal (2004-2005), For the most outstanding academic performance in BSc (special degree), Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

• Research grant from the China Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research, Chinese Academy of Science : 
• Faculty  Research Grant (RU/FMST/RP/2021/04): Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity) of freshwater red algae and charophytes
  
• Faculty Research Grant (RU/FMST/2019/05): Assessment of the benthic algae diversity in a forested stream
• Faculty Research Grant (RU/FMST/2017/02): Study the factors that affect to the distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in forested streams