Dynamics And Speciation Of The Heavy Metals In The Lower Reaches Of Chithrapuzha- A Tropical Tidal River

The proposed study is an attempt to quantify and study the seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb among the various geochemical phases in the surficial sediments of Chitrapuzha river. The study also estimates the concentration of heavy metals in dissolved, particulate and sediments and their variation in seasonal and spatial distribution. Chitrapuzha River originates as a small stream from the upper reaches of high ranges in the eastern boundary of Kerala, passes through the valley and finally joints in the Cochin backwaters. Numerous industrial units located along the banks of the river discharge treated and untreated effluents into the water. These are long standing local complaints about water pollution causing fish mortality and serious damage to agricultural crops resulting in extensive unemployment in the area. The river is thus of considerable social and economic importance.

Strait dynamics of tropical tidal inlets

The dynamics and associated stability analysis of tidal inlets situated on the southwest coast of India, namely Andhakaranazhi (90 45 J OO JJN and 760 17 J 29 JJ E) and the other at Cochin harbour inlet (90 58 1 04 J1N and 760 14 1 50 1J E) have beenconducted. A detailed study on the inlet regime of Cochin barmouth (permanent in nature) was attempted so as to elucidate information on: (a) channel characteristics (b) tidal hydraulics and (c) stability of the inlet. In this connection, a naturally occurring seasonal sandbar formation at Andhakaranazhi, near Sherthallay, about 20 km south of Cochin inlet, was also chosen as a site ofstudy brought out conclusively the dynamical study. The aspects of ( 1) tidal influx/out flux (2) channel morphology (3) sedimentation regime and (4) stability and factors related to stability of these locations. The above aspects are supported by suitable mathematical formulations to describe the associated coastal processes, wherever applicable

Studies On The Dynamics And Water Quality Of The Muvattupuzha River In Relation To Effluent Discharge

The present study aims at the investigation of the 1ysico—chemical features of a tropical tidal river viz. we Muvattupuzha river. This river is expected to receive Jderate to heavy pollution loads in years to come, from we lone industrial unit, already set up on its bank. ilike other rivers, the geographical disposition of this Lver attains unique importance as regards its dynamics for 3) availability of natural runoff water from catchment :eas, which becomes very heavy during the monsoon season 3) regular steady availability of tail race water from a /dro—electric power station throughout the yearThe study also aims at arriving at the balancing forces of inherent self~purification of the river verses pollution loads from the factory effluents. The investigation period falls ahead of actual pollution occurrence and so the ambient conditions for a period of nearly one-and-a—half years were investigated, the analyses of which providflz to formulate the inter-relations of parameters varying with seasons. Tracer experiments were carried out which revealed the dispersion and dilution characteristics of the river in the vicinity of effluent outfall. The studv covers the trial—cum-capacity production periods of the factory during which effluents of various strength and quantity were discharged into the river; a few computed values arQ’cjmpgrQdl ... with the observed values. The base data along with the profiles of Oxygen sag equation have been utilized fb develop a mathematical model of the river with regard to its water quality

Spatial Variability and Contamination of Heavy Metals in the Inter-tidal Systems of a Tropical Environment

Heavy metals in the surface sediments of the two coastal ecosystems of Cochin, southwest India were assessed. The study intends to evaluate the degree of anthropogenic influence on heavy metal concentration in the sediments of the mangrove and adjacent estuarine stations using enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. The inverse relationship of Cd and Zn with texture in the mangrove sediments suggested the anthropogenic enrichment of these metals in the mangrove systems. In the estuarine sediments, the absence of any significant correlation of the heavy metals with other sedimentary parameters and their strong interdependence revealed the possibility that the input is not through the natural weathering processes. The analysis of enrichment factor indicated a minor enrichment for Pb and Zn in mangrove sediments. While, extremely severe enrichment for Cd, moderate enrichment for Zn and minor enrichment of Pb were observed in estuarine system. The geo accumulation index exhibited very low values for all metals except Zn, indicating the sediments of the mangrove ecosystem are unpolluted to moderately polluted by anthropogenic activities. However, very strongly polluted condition for Cd and a moderately polluted condition for Zn were evident in estuarine sediments

Chemodynamics and Ecohydrology of a Tropical Estuary

The amplified human role in shaping natural processes makes it imperative to understand the interactions between abiotic and biotic processes, whcih pertain particularly to the most dyanamic aboitic factor,water. The assessment of environmental parameters is indispensable for the sustainable management of the aqutic system .The conscious harnessing and pampering to protect the characteristics of the ecosystems is the of the day.This thesis attempts to characterize the chemical dynamacity of a tropical estury in relation to the bio, geo and physical processes and thereby to propose a management scheme for its sustainability. Micro speciation is used as a tool for this.

Studies on the ecology of zooplankton of cochin backwaters(a tropical estuary)

Ecology is the study of systems at a level in which individuals or whole organisms may be considered elements of interaction, either among themselves, or with a loosely organised environmental matrix. Systems at this level are named ecosystems, and ecology, of course, is the biology of ecosystems" (Hargalef, 1968). This thesis includes principally, a study on the ecology of zooplankton of the Cochin backwaters conducted during the years 1971-72. This monsoonal estuarine system is particularly interesting, since it exhibits a wide range of variations in its environmental conditions which is naturally reflected in the fauna also. Several publications on various aspects of its hydrobiology have come out in the recent past. But studies on the zooplankton of the estuary have mostly been discontinuous either in space or time or restricted to its groups

Effect of industrial pollution on the benthic communities of a tropical estuary

Cochin backwaters, a tropical barbuilt estuary is well known for its prawn, molluscan and demersal fisheries. Also it formed the dumping area for sewage,235 retting of husks and discharge of effluents from industries located on either side of it. As a result the fishery is being gradually dwindled year after year due to the lowering of the water quality. The effect of industrial polution on the benthic community of this tropical estuary was worked out. An area extending over 21 km from the mouth of the estuary to upstream of industrial belt was selected. Temporal and spatial variations of 16 environmental parameters at 9 stations along the area were monitored monthly during 1981. Benthic fauna of these 9 stations consisted of amphipods , polychaetes, isopods, tanaidaceans, molluscs and other crustaceans (Decapods, Acetes, Alpheids, Balanus, insect larvae, chironomid larvae, cumacea and some fresh water forms ). Apart from these, sea anemone, flat worms, nematodes, sipunculoids, echinoderms and fishes were also encountered. 75 species belonging to 31 faunal groups were identified. Of these 31 groups, amphipods, polychaedes, isopods, tanaidaceans and molluscs were numerically abundant. Rest of the 26 groups (including 13 riverine forms) were found less significant due to their rare occurrence/low numerical abundance. Polychaetes and molluscs were the only major groups present at all the stations.

Modeling of Suspended Sediment Dynamics in Tropical River Basins

It is proposed to study the suspended sediment transport characteristics of river basins of Kerala and to model suspended sediment discharge mechanism for typical micro-watersheds. The Pamba river basin is selected as a representative hydrologic regime for detailed studies of suspended sediment characteristics and its seasonal variation. The applicability of various erosion models would be tested by comparing with the observed event data (by continuous monitoring of rainfall, discharge, and suspended sediment concentration for lower order streams). Empirical, conceptual and physically distributed models were used for making the comparison of performance of the models. Large variations in the discharge and sediment quantities were noticed during a particular year between the river basins investigated and for an individual river basin during the years for which the data was available. In general, the sediment yield pattern follows the seasonal distribution of rainfall, discharge and physiography of the land. This confirms with similar studies made for other Indian rivers. It was observed from this study, that the quantity of sediment transported downstream shows a decreasing trend over the years corresponding to increase in discharge. For sound and sustainable management of coastal zones, it is important to understand the balance between erosion and retention and to quantify the exact amount of the sediments reaching this eco-system. This, of course, necessitates a good length of time series data and more focused research on the behaviour of each river system, both present and past. In this realm of river inputs to ocean system, each of the 41 rivers of Kerala may have dominant yet diversified roles to influence the coastal ecosystem as reflected from this study on the major fraction of transport, namely the suspended sediments

Spatial and Temporal Variability of some Meteorological Parameters over Tropical Indian Ocean

The objective of the present study is to understand the spatial and temporal variability of sea surface temperature(SST), precipitable water, zonal and meridional components of wind stress over the tropical Indian Ocean to understand the different scales of variability of these features of Indian Ocean. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and wavelet analysis techniques are utilized to understand the standing oscillations and multi scale oscillations respectively. The study has been carried out over Indian Ocean and South Indian Ocean. For the present study, NCEP/NCAR(National Center for Environmental Prediction National Center for Atmospheric Research) reanalyzed daily fields of sea surface temperature, zonal and meridional surface wind components and precipitable water amount during 1960-1998 are used. The principle of EOF analysis and the methodology used for the analysis of spatial and temporal variance modes.

STUDIES ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPOSPHERE AND LOWER STRATOSPHERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

In the present thesis, an attempt has been made to study the characteristics of troposphere and lower stratosphere during the passage of tropical cyclones from a tropical station in India using MST radar. MST radar is an excellent tool for studying various features of the atmosphere from ground to mesospheric heights, as it can be operated continuously with good time and altitude resolution. The major objectives are to identify the multiple layers of reflectivity observed in the atmosphere during cyclones, to study the troposphere characteristics during these cyclones and its dependence on cyclone position and intensity, to detect the waves present in the atmosphere, to study the transport of momentum fluxes and to understand stratosphere. The winds in the troposphere and lower stratosphere are greatly affected by the passage of cyclones; the presence of high reflectivity layers below the tropopause suggests the passage of severe weather systems etc. are some of the major findings of the study. The study can be extended further to understand the circulation and dynamics of the atmosphere associated with the passage of tropical cyclones. The gravity wave generation and its characteristics during the passage of storms is another important aspect to be studied in detail.

Studies on Lactic Acid Bacteria from Tropical Fish and Shellfish

In this study, an attempt has been made to gather enough information regarding lactic acid bacteria from fish and shellfish of tropical regions. The occurrence and distribution of lactic acid bacteria in fresh and frozen marine fish and shellfish, farmed fish and shellfish, cured and pickled fish and shellfish have been investigated. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have for centuries been responsible for the fermentative preservation of many foods. They are used to retard spoilage and preserve foods through natural fermentations. They have found commercial applications as starter cultures in the dairy, baking, meat, fish, and vegetable and alcoholic beverage industries. They are industrially important organisms recognized for their fermentative ability as well as their nutritional benefits. These organisms produce various compounds such as organic acids, diacetyl, hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins or bactericidal proteins during lactic fermentations.Biopreservation of foods using bacteriocin producing LAB cultures is becoming widely used. The antimicrobial effect of bacteriocins and other compounds produced during fermentation of carbohydrates are well known to inhibit the growth of certain food spoiling bacteria as well as a limited group of food poisoning and pathogenic bacteria LAB like Lactobacillus plantarum are widely used as starter cultures for the Production of fish ensilage. The present study is the first quantitative and qualitative study on the occurrence and distribution of lactic acid bacteria in fresh and frozen fish and prawn. It is concluded that Lactobacillus plantaruni was the predominant lactobacillus species in fresh and frozen fish and shellfish. The ability of selected Lactobacillus cultures to grow at low temperatures, high salt content, produce bacteriocins, rapidly ferment sugars and decrease the pH make them potential candidates for biopreservation of fish and shellfish.

Salinity Intrusion and Seasonal Water Quality Variations in the Tidal Canals of Cochin

The study conducted on the salinity intrusion and seasonal water quality variations in the tidal canals of cochin. The main objectives are, salinity intrusion profile, water quality variation of the surface water of the canals,hierarchical utility of the water bodies and to understand the non-conservative components in the water body. The parameters monitored werepH,temperature,alkalinity,conductivity,DO(dissolvedoxygen),COD(chemical oxygen demand),BOD(biochemical oxygen demand0,chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, dissolved phosphate, nitrate, total iron, sulphate, turbidity, total coliform and SUVA at 254nm. The tidal canals of GCDA were found to be creeks extending to the interior, canals inter connecting parts of the estuary or canals with seasonally broken segments. Based on utility the canals could be classified as: canals heavely polluted and very saline,canals polluted by urban waste , canals having fresh water for most part of the year and not much polluted, fresh water bodies heavily polluted. During the rainy months carbon fixation by plankton is nonexistent,and during the dry months Chitrapuzha becomes a sink of phosphate. The study indicated abiotic subrouts for dissolved phosphate and revealed the potential pitfalls in LOICZ modeling exercise on sewage ladentidal canals. It was also found that all canals except for the canals of West cochin and chittoorpuzha have fresh water for some part of the year. The water quality index in the durable fresh water stretches was found to be of below average category.