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Karthiga, I.; Rameshwaran, P.; Ketheesan, B.; Sriskandarajah, N.

Groundwater levels, salinity, pH, and rainfall on the Indian Ocean island of Karainagar, Sri Lanka, 2019–2024

https://doi.org/10.5285/ba22d53b-4eee-48a1-b6f3-653d252c0358
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This dataset is under embargo and will be made available by 31 August 2026 at the latest   Find out more »
This dataset includes measurements of groundwater levels, salinity, and pH collected from 36 dug wells, along with rainfall data, on the Indian Ocean island of Karainagar, Sri Lanka, spanning the period from 2019 to 2024. Karainagar, the study area, is one of seven islands located off the coast of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. This rectangular island is bounded on three sides by the Palk Strait, while the fourth side faces the Jaffna Lagoon and is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Karainagar covers an area of approximately 22 km², including inland water bodies. Thirty-six dug wells—used for agricultural, domestic, Kovil (Temple), and public purposes—were inventoried. These wells were monitored to track groundwater levels and key physicochemical parameters, specifically salinity (measured as electrical conductivity, EC) and pH, on Karainagar Island.
Publication date: 2025-05-28
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More information

View numbers valid from 28 May 2025 (information prior to this was not collected)

Format

Comma-separated values (CSV)

Spatial information

Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
WGS 84

Temporal information

Temporal extent
2019-01-01    to    2024-12-31

Provenance & quality

Groundwater levels and well dimensions (kerb height, diameter/width, and bottom elevation) were measured using a measuring tape. The locations of the dug wells and ground elevations relative to Mean Sea Level (MSL) were determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS) and land surveys. Salinity (measured as electrical conductivity, EC) and pH were recorded using a Hach HQ40D multi-parameter meter. Daily rainfall time series data were obtained from the records of the Agrarian Services Centre (ASC) in Karainagar.

Licensing and constraints

This dataset is under embargo and will be made available by 31 August 2026 at the latest   Find out more »

This dataset will be available under the terms of the Open Government Licence

Cite this dataset as:
Karthiga, I.; Rameshwaran, P.; Ketheesan, B.; Sriskandarajah, N. (2025). Groundwater levels, salinity, pH, and rainfall on the Indian Ocean island of Karainagar, Sri Lanka, 2019–2024. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ba22d53b-4eee-48a1-b6f3-653d252c0358

Supplemental information

Karthiga, I., Rameshwaran, P., Ketheesan, B., & Sriskandarajah, N. (2023). Groundwater mapping and locally engaged water governance in a small island terrain: Case study of Karainagar island, Northern Sri Lanka. World Water Policy, 9(3), 456-480.
Karthiga, I., Rameshwaran, P., Ketheesan, B., & Sriskandarajah, N. (2022). Aquifer monitoring and community engagement in groundwater management for water security in northern Sri Lanka. 7th Annual Research Symposium, The International Water Conference 2022, 14-16 of December 2022. National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka, 256-263.

Correspondence/contact details

Ponnambalam Rameshwaran
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
 enquiries@ceh.ac.uk

Authors

Karthiga, I.
University of Jaffna
Rameshwaran, P.
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Ketheesan, B.
University of Jaffna
Sriskandarajah, N.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Other contacts

Rights holders
University of Jaffna, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
 info@eidc.ac.uk
Publisher
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
 info@eidc.ac.uk

Additional metadata

Topic categories
environment
inlandWaters
utilitiesCommunication
INSPIRE theme
Environmental Monitoring Facilities
Keywords
Brackish water , Climate and climate change , Dug Well , Electrical Conductivity , Freshwater , Groundwater , Hydrology , Karainagar Island , pH , Rainfall , Salinity , Sri Lanka , Water Level , Water quality
Funding
World Bank Award: AHEAD-R2-DOR6
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/X006247/1
Last updated
29 May 2025 12:33