Physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment in ... · Physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment in ... Thengapattanam estuary, ... The salinity values were ranged

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 4, No 3, 2013

© Copyright by the authors - Licensee IPA- Under Creative Commons license 3.0

Research article ISSN 0976 – 4402

Received on September 2013 Published on November 2013 205

Physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment in Thengapattanam

estuary, southwest coastal zone, Tamilnadu, India Anitha .G1, Sugirtha P. Kumar2

1- Dept. of Chemistry, CSI Institute of Technology, Thovalai, K.K.Dist 629302

2- Dept of Chemistry, Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil-1, K.K.Dist 629001

[email protected]

doi: 10.6088/ijes.2013040300001

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to determine the physicochemical characteristics of water

and sediment in Thengapattanam estuary for the period of one year during October 2010 to

September 2012.Atmospheric temperature and surface water temperature varied from 28.3 o C

to 31.8oC and 26.2 to 29.4oC respectively. Salinity varied from 0.5 ‰ to 11‰. pH remained

alkaline throughout the study period in all the stations with maximum value during summer

and minimum during post monsoon. Higher dissolved oxygen concentration was observed

during monsoon season might be due to the cumulative effect of higher wind energy coupled

with heavy rainfall and river inflow. BOD was high during summer season and low during

post monsoon season. Concentration of nutrients showed significant spatial and temporal

variations and their levels in water increased during rainy season. Sediment characteristics

were also studied for one year. The organic carbon of the stations varied from0.061% to

0.522%.Nitrogen content varied from 0.012 %to 0.052 %. Total phosphorus ranged between

0.03% and 0.09%. Sediment texture ranges in terms of percentage of sand, silt and clay were

85.4% to96.8 % ,1.2% to11.9% and 1.1% to 8.8% respectively at all the stations.

Keyword: Physicochemical characteristics, water, sediments, nutrients

1. Introduction

Estuaries are fragile ecosystem with unique physical, chemical and biological features acting

as a transitional zone between land and sea. They are complex and dynamic aquatic

environment which receive substantial amount of nutrients as well as anthropogenic wastes

from land and transferred towards inshore sea (Shruthi et al 2011). When river water mixes

with sea water large number of physical and chemical process take place which may

influence water quality (Muduli Bipra Prasanna et al 2010).But this site is the breeding and

nursery ground for several species of commercially important fishes and crustaceans(Ahila

Angelin et al 2010). To establish the spatial and temporal variations in water quality, regular

monitoring programs are required

Many studies have been carried out so far on physicochemical parameters of various

estuaries of India, Kumar and Patterson (2007) from Manakudy estuary, Chanda et al (1996)

from Mandovi estuary, Bragadeeswaran et al (2007) from Arasalar estuary, Tukura et al

(2010) from Mada river, Robin et al (2012) from Cochin backwaters, Prabhahar et al (2011)

from

Vellar estuary , Kavitha et al (2006) from Rajakkamangalam estuary, Jeena Pearl from

Mankudy estuary, Rajani kumar et al from Krishna estuary, Anila kumari et al (1992) from

Physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment in Thengapattanam estuary, southwest coastal zone,

Tamilnadu, India

Anitha .G, Sugirtha P. Kumar

International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 4 No.3, 2013 206

Poonthura estuary ,Jayachandran et al from Kodungallur-Azhikode estuary ,Anila Kumary et

al from Adimalathura estuary etc. The present study was carried out for monitoring the

Thengapattanam estuary and future ecological assessment.

2. Study area

The study was carried out at Thengapattanam estuary which is located on

the south west coast of India (7o53’ N latitude and 77o07’ E longitude). It is formed by the

confluence of river Tampirabarani in between Thengapattanam and Eraiummanthurai about

56 km. west of Kanyakumari town. It is a tropical bar built estuary which remains land

locked on most of the occasions. During heavy inflow into the estuary the sand bar opens up

under the force of gravity. Nearby the estuary an AVM canal (Anandan Victoria

Marthandavarman Canal) runs along the west coast. It serves the fresh water needs of the

local people, but it is also used for coconut husk retting activities. The drainage channels

from the paddy fields and rubber plantation near the AVM canal are the main source of

pollution in this estuary. It is also one of the fishery resources in Tamil Nadu. There are no

major industries near the estuary, however small scale industries like coconut husk retting are

well established near the banks of the river.

But the perennial nature of Kuzhithuraiar within the farm land encourages inland valley

agricultural practice such as planting of vegetables, paddy fields, rubber plantation

throughout the year. The farmers apply agrochemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides and

germicides from time to time to improve crop yield without a follow up assessment of how

much of these agrochemicals affect the non- target component of the ecosystem. Hence this

study is very much used to monitor this estuary

Figure 1: Thengapattanam estuary-study area

In order to cover entire stretch of this estuary five sampling stations were selected from the

mouth of the estuary to the upstream side viz. station1.AVM canal joining the

Thengapattanam estuary, station 2 head of the estuary, station 3 &4 in between head and


Tamilnadu, India



mouth, station 5 mouth of the estuary. The study was carried out over a period of 12 months

from October 2011 to September2012. Through out the study period, sampling of water was

carried out on a monthly basis during the last week of every month between 7am to 9 am.

Kanyakumari coastal area receives rain in two monsoons namely, the Southwest monsoon

from June to September and the Northeast monsoon from October to December. Rainfall data

was obtained from Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Horticultural Research station,

Pechiparai, Kanyakumari Dist .The study area receives the bulk of rainfall during northeast

monsoon. For convenience and easy interpretation of result, three seasons have been

recognized in a calendar year viz post monsoon (October to January), pre monsoon (February

to May), monsoon (June- September).During the post monsoon season the northeast monsoon

commences. The seasonal variations of all the parameters are shown in figure 2 to 20.

2.1 Experimental methods

Water samples were collected every month with a clean plastic bucket in five different

stations. Preservation and transportation of the water samples to the laboratory were as per

standard methods Atmospheric temperature and water temperature were measured on the site

using mercury thermometer. The samples were analyzed for different parameters pH was

measured using digital Elico pH meter. Salinity was mesured by Erma hand refractometer.

Dissolved oxygen was fixed immediately after collection and then determined by Winkler’s

method, Flame photometer was used for the determination of metal ions, Ca, Mg

(APHA1998). Total hardness was calculated by complexometric titration using EDTA

(Vogel 1978).Nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, were measured according to the standard procedure

(APHA 1998). Turbidity was determined by using turbidity meter. Alkalinity of water sample

is determined by titration with standard acid.

The surface sediment samples were taken from five stations, for 12 months and quickly

packed in air tight polythene bags. After sampling, they were dried under shade and divided

into two fractions. One portion for the analysis of sediments texture parameters (sand, silt,

clay) and the other portion was powdered using mortar and pestle and sieved through 63µm

sieve and analyzed for organic carbon. Precautions were taken to avoid contamination during

drying, grinding, sieving and storage.

Sediment pH and EC were measured in a suspension of 1:2.5 sediment to water ratio using

calibrated pH meter (Elico) and conductivity meter (Systronics).Textural characteristics (sand,

silt, clay) were determined following pipette analysis (Kumbein and Pettijohn 1938). Organic

carbon content in sediment was determined by wet oxidation method (Walkley and Black

1934).

3. Result and discussion

3.1 Rainfall

Rainfall is the most important cyclic phenomenon in tropical countries as it brings important

changes in the hydrological characteristics of the coastal marine environment (Chandran et al

1984). Total rainfall of 1373mm was recorded from October 2011 to September 2012.

Maximum rainfall was recorded during post monsoon season (Nov 2011) and minimum

during pre monsoon season (Feb 2012).


Tamilnadu, India



0

50

100

150

200

mm

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Rainfall

post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 2: Seasonal variations of rainfall at five stations

3.2 Air temperature and surface water temperature.

During the study period air temperature varied from 28.3 o C to 31.8 o C.The minimum was

recorded during post monsoon season (November 2011) and maximum during pre monsoon

season (Feb 2012). In general all the stations showed similar seasonal changes.The surface

water temperature varied from 28.3o C to 31.8o C. The minimum surface water temperature

was recorded during post monsoon season (Nov 2011) and maximum was recorded during

the pre monsoon season (Feb 2012). Like atmospheric temperature all the stations showed

similar seasonal changes. Surface water temperature is influenced by the intensity of solar

radiation, evaporation, fresh water influx and cooling and flow from adjoining neritic waters

(Govindasamy et al 2000). The observed low value during November was due to strong land

sea breeze and precipitation.

Atmospheric temperature showed a positive correlation with water temperature and the water

temperature showed a positive correlation with salinity, pH, and negatively correlated to

dissolved oxygen.

29.229.429.629.8

3030.230.430.630.8

3131.2

oC

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Atmospheric temperature

Post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 3: Seasonal variations of Atmospheric Temperature o C of water at five stations


Tamilnadu, India



27.4

27.6

27.8

28

28.2

28.4

28.6

28.8

o C

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Surface water temperature

Post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 4: Seasonal variations of Surface water temperature o C in water at five stations

3.3 Salinity

The salinity values were ranged from 0.5 ppt to 11 ppt. Maximum salinity value was recorded

during pre monsoon (Feb) and minimum was recorded during post monsoon (Nov2011) at S1,

and S2. High salinity value may be due to high rate of evaporation, low rainfall, absence of

river discharge, tidal mixing and dominance of neritic water from open sea (Saravana Kumar

et al 2008).Low value during monsoon season may be due to rainfall and fresh water inflow

from the land.

Generally changes in salinity of brackish water habitats such as estuaries, backwaters and

mangrove are due to the influx of freshwater from land run off caused by monsoon or by tidal

variations. Most species in the estuarine environment live under stress either due to low or

too high salinity depending on their origin from fresh or marine areas (Prasanna kumar et al

2010).Regarding station wise variation station 4 and 5 are in close proximity with the sea and

had salinity higher than that of other stations . During summer season sea water intrusion

along the estuarine region increase the salinity of drinking water resources provided along the

Kuzhithuraiar. Salinity showed a significant positive correlation with temperature but it is

negatively correlated with rainfall.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

ppt

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

salinity

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 4: Seasonal variations of Salinity of water at five stations

3.4 pH

pH remained alkaline throughout the study period . It varied from 7.2 to 7.96. Fluctuations in

pH values during different season of the year were attributed to factors like removal of CO2

by photosynthesis through bicarbonate degradation, dilution of water with fresh water influx,

reduction in salinity and temperature and decomposition of organic matter (Rajasegar et al

2003).Maximum pH was observed during the summer season and the minimum was observed

during the monsoon season. It followed the trend similar to that of salinity. Statistical analysis


Tamilnadu, India



revealed that pH had highly significant negative correlation with rainfall and positive

correlation with water temperature and salinity, but DO had an inverse relationship with pH.

7.3

7.35

7.4

7.45

7.5

7.55

7.6

7.65

7.7

7.75

7.8

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

STATIONS

p H

post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 5: Seasonal variations of pH in water at five stations

3.5 Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of water clarity and the how much the material suspended in water

decreases the passage of light through water. Turbidity values varied from 2 to16 NTU.

Maximum turbidity was recorded during post monsoon season (Nov) and minimum during

pre monsoon season. High turbidity value during post monsoon may be due to fresh water

discharges, which carried lot of terregenous materials and low solar radiation (Kalaiarasi et al

2012). Regarding station wise variation, turbidity was maximum at station1which is near by

AVM canal, river mouth at station 2 and station 5 due to the movement of water in and out of

the estuary by tidal influence.

Turbidity serves as a main factor in governing light penetration in the study area. Least

amount of turbidity during the pre monsoon season at all the stations due to the bright

sunshine, clear water condition and removal of suspended materials from the water column

and cessation of fresh water flow, thereby reducing abiogenic turbidity.

Turbidity is affected by salinity as salt settles sediments .So the presence of salts in estuaries

has the effect of reducing turbidity. Turbidity values showed positive correlation with nitrate

–nitrogen and rainfall.

0

24

6

810

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Turbidity

post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 6: Seasonal variations of Turbidity in water at five stations


Tamilnadu, India



3.6 Dissolved oxygen

Dissolved oxygen content varied from 4 to 7.6mg/L. Maximum value of dissolved oxygen

was observed at station 2 in the month of November during post monsoon season and

minimum value was observed at station 1 in the month of February during pre monsoon. In

general minimum and maximum values of value of dissolved oxygen were recorded during

pre monsoon and monsoon season at all the stations.

Higher dissolved oxygen observed during the monsoon season might be due to the

cumulative effect of higher wind energy coupled with heavy rainfall and the resultant fresh

water mixing Similar results were reported by Vijaya kumara et al (2011) Manikannan et al

(2011),and Damotharan et al (2010). Minimum value was observed at station 1 due to the

disposal of domestic sewage, agricultural run off and coconut husk retting wastes through

AVM canal.

Dissolved oxygen showed an inverse relationship with salinity and temperature with high

values at ebb tides and low values at flood tides (Chandran et al 1984, Govindasamy et al

2000, Chendur palpandi et al 2011,Kumar et al 2011,Ashok Prabu et al 2008, Shruthi et al

2011) etc. Thus it is clear that temperature and salinity affect dissolution of oxygen in sea

water.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

STATIONS

DO

post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 7: Seasonal variations of DO in water at five stations

3.7 BOD

Bio-chemical oxygen demand reveals the content of micro organisms present in the water

under investigation and its organic matter load. BOD values were varied from 1.1mg/L to

2.8mg/L. Minimum value was recorded during post monsoon season and maximum during

pre monsoon season. BOD values were found to be high at station 1 due to the mixing of

water from AVM canal where retting activities occurs. The remaining stations are having low

values.

It is evident that the BOD showed positive correlation with salinity, pH, total hardness,

calcium and magnesium and negative correlation with rainfall, dissolved oxygen and

nutrients.


Tamilnadu, India



0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

ststions

BOD

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 8: Seasonal variations of BOD in water at five stations

3.8 Total hardness and Alkalinity

Total hardness was registered to be maximum during pre monsoon season (May) at station 5

and minimum during post monsoon season (Nov) at station 2.Bicarbonates,

carbonates ,chlorides, nitrates, phosphates, and sulphates are present in the form of Na+, K+,.

Mg 2+.and Ca2+ and are mainly responsible for the alkalinity and hardness of water (Ravaniah

et al 2010).

Alkalinity of water is defined as the ionic concentration, which can neutralize the hydrogen

ions. Alkalinity is also imparted more by the presence of CO2 suggesting the decay of organic

matter and is the prominent activity elevating alkalinity in natural waters (Sujitha et al 2011).

Here bicarbonate alkalinity ranged from 28mg/L to 96mg/L.

Minimum value was observed at station 2 during post monsoon and maximum during pre

monsoon at station 5.

.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Total hardness

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 9: Seasonal variations of Total hardness in water at five stations


Tamilnadu, India



0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Alkalinity

POST MONSOON

PREMONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 10: Seasonal variations of alkalinity in water at five stations

3.9 Calcium and Magnesium

The ranges of Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were found to be 30mg/L to 163mg/L.and62

mg/L to 594 mg/L. The maximum calcium content was found in station 5 during the month

of February and minimum value found in station 1 in the month of November .Calcium

concentration is highest in estuaries due to the influx of riverine sources. Similar results were

reported by Vijaya kumara and Vijaya Kumar (2011).

Magnesium content varied among different sites. Maximum values of magnesium were

observed during the month of February at station 5 and the minimum values were observed

during the month of November at station 2.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Calcium

post monsoon

premonsoon

monsoon

Figure 11: Seasonal variations of calcium in water at five stations

0

100

200

300

400

500

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

STATIONS

MAGNESIUM

POST MONSOON

PREMONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 12: Seasonal variations of magnesium in water at five stations


Tamilnadu, India



For assessing sea water intrusion in to coastal aquifer the ratio of certain chemical parameters

such as Ca2+/Mg2+ and TA/TH can be used (Palanisamy Shanmugam et al 2006). Since Mg

present in sea water is much greater concentration than calcium Ca/Mg ratio is recommended

as a parameter for determining the salt water contamination. If the ratio is less than 1, then

the area is considered to be highly affected by salt water intrusion. Using this ratio it was

found that all the stations are affected with sea water intrusion.

3.10 Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate and sulphate

Nutrients are considered as one of the most important parameter in the estuarine environment.

It influences the growth, reproduction and metabolic activities of the living beings.

Distribution of nutrients is mainly based on the seasons, tidal condition and fresh water

inflow from land sources.

During the monsoon season the nutrients(both nitrogen and phosphorus) were added mainly

from the irrigation run off , river discharge rainfall and tidal conditions (Ashok Prabu et al

2010).But during the non- monsoon season nitrogen derivatives were coming more from the

retting zones through AVM canal. Higher value of nitrite concentration was recorded during

the monsoon season at stations 1&2 and low values are observed during the monsoon season.

Nitrite was recorded more or less similar in all the stations and seasons. Nitrite content

fluctuated between 0.04 and 0.67mg/L. Maximum nitrite was observed during post monsoon

and minimum was recorded during pre monsoon season. Low content of nitrite during

February was due to less fresh water input, higher salinity, higher pH and also uptake by

phytoplankton. The same report was given by Thirnavukarasu Karuppiah et al (2011) from

Kottakudi estuary.

Nitrate concentration was higher during the post monsoon and lower during summer season.

It varied from 2mg/L to 6mg/L. The higher nitrate content observed during post monsoon

period is mainly due to the river water discharge containing nitrogenous particles of various

origins, such as land run off contaminated with fertilizers from the surrounding paddy fields,

coconut and rubber plantations. Similar maximum value in rainy season and minimum in pre

monsoon were also recorded by Muthukumaravel et al (2012) from Arasalar estuary

Karaikal,Damotharan et al(2010)from Calimare coastal waters.Regarding station wise

variations station 1 is the polluted station with the direct discharges of coconut husk retting

wastes and dumping of fishery wastes. Most of the nitrate might have been derived from the

decomposition of organic wastes ( Ravaniah et al 2010).

High concentration of phosphate observed during post monsoon season might be due to the

intrusion of sea water as well as heavy rainfall, mixing of land run off from agricultural fields

contaminated with super phosphates and alkyl phosphates from soap and detergents used by

the public for bathing and washing clothes (Senthilkumar et al 2010) . Low phosphate value

recorded during pre monsoon could be attributed to the limited flow of fresh water, high

salinity and utilization of phosphate by phytoplankton. (Rajasegar 2003)

In general, higher nitrate and phosphate concentration in estuarine water was mainly due to

the intensive usage of urea and diammonium phosphate fertilizers in agricultural activities.

Nitrate and phosphate showed insignificant and inverse correlation with salinity and pH.


Tamilnadu, India



0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Nitrite

POST MONSOON

PREMONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 13: Seasonal variations of nitrite in water at five stations

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Ntrate

POST MONSOON

PRE MONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 14: Seasonal variations of nitrate in water at five stations

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Phosphate

POST MONSOON

PRE MONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 15: Seasonal variations of phosphorus in water at five stations

3.11 Sulphate

Sulphate values varied from 26mg/L to62mg/L.Minimum value was observed during post

monsoon and maximum during the pre monsoon season. High value during pre monsoon may

be due to decomposition of sulphide bearing minerals and sulphate rich effluents from husk

effluents from husk retting grounds and low value during monsoon could be due to dilution

effect.


Tamilnadu, India



0

10

20

30

40

50

60

mg/L

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

sulphate

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 16: Seasonal variations of sulphate in water at five stations

4. Sediment

4.1 pH

pH in sediments ranged between 6.9 to 7.78. The sediment pH was higher in pre monsoon

and low during monsoon possibly due to redox changes in the sediments and water column

apart from the influence of fresh water (Saravanakumar et al 2008). Low value of pH

recorded during monsoon was due to the increased rate of inflow of fresh water,

decomposition of organic matter and conversion of released CO2 into carbonic acid

(Vasantha 2009). pH of all the stations indicated the alkaline nature of the stations, which lie

adjacent to the sea and influenced by influx of neritic waters during tidal cycle.

6.76.86.9

77.17.27.37.47.57.67.7

VALUES

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

STATIONS

pH

POST MONSOON

PRE MONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 17: Seasonal variations of pH of sediment at five stations

4.2 Nitrogen and phosphorus

Nitrogen in sediments varied from0.014%to 0.052%. It was high during pre monsoon due to

the oxidation of dead plant organic matter which has settled on the top layer. Low value s of

nitrogen observed during post monsoon may be ascribed to the low level of organic matter

during rainy season along with high percentage of sand during rainy season.

The distribution of sediment nitrogen is in contrast to that of nitrate in the overlying water

which shows high values of nitrate during post monsoon and low values during pre monsoon.

The increasing values of nitrogen in sediments during pre monsoon was due to the oxidation

of dead planktonic matter which has settled from the top layer It is evidenced by obtaining

positive correlation between organic carbon and nitrogen. The subsequent decrease of nitrate


Tamilnadu, India



in the overlying water is due to the utilization of nitrate by high planktonic production

(Chanda et al 1996). The significant correlation of sediment nitrogen with clay and silt

indicated that the adsorption is mainly affected by the finer fraction of the sediment.

Phosphorus in the sediment was high during pre monsoon season and low during post

monsoon season. High values were due to the dead organic matter settling from top and are

related to the permeability of the sediments and the lower values may be due to the removal

of top layer of sediments by heavy flood, deposition of sand and the leaching of phosphate

from sediments to the overlying water. Increased application of fertilizers, use of detergents

and domestic sewage play a great role in contributing to the heavy loading of phosphorus in

the sediment (Vasantha 2010).. Further it is evidenced by obtaining positive correlation

between organic carbon and phosphorus. However a similar pattern of variation of nitrogen

and phosphorous and the significant correlation between them revealed that the concentration

of one is dependent on the other and indicated a common source for both.

0

0.005

0.01

0.015

0.02

0.025

0.03

0.035

0.04

%

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5

stations

Nitrogen

POST MONSOON

PREMONSOON

MONSOON

Figure 18: Seasonal variations of nitrogen in sediment at five stations

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

%

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5

stations

phosphorus

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 19: Seasonal variations of phosphorus in sediment at five stations

4.3 organic carbon

Organic carbon content varied from 0.06% to 0.52% indicates peak value at station S1&S2

during pre monsoon months. The observed peak value of organic carbon in this month could

be attributed to the influx of land run off containing considerable amount of terrigenous

organic matter such as dead planktonic matter which settles at the bottom and get oxidized

and decomposed releasing high level of organic carbon in the sediment (Martin et al 2010).

Low value was observed during monsoon months associated with heavy flooding of river

water followed by opening of sand bar and flushing of sediments deposited at the bottom.


Tamilnadu, India



Organic carbon content was relatively high in the sediments at station 1 due to the discharge

of large amount of humus brought to this region through AVM canal.

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

%

s1 s2 s3 s4 s5

stations

Organic carbon

post monsoon

pre monsoon

monsoon

Figure 20: Seasonal variations of organic carbon in sediment at five stations

5. Conclusion

The various physico chemical constituents in the Thengapattanam estuarine water showed

wide seasonal fluctuations. In the rainy season, the estuary is dominated with fresh water

from Thamiraparani River and land run off through AVM Canal .While in the non monsoon

season the water showed predominantly saline characteristics. Salinity plays a dominant role

in controlling the water quality. In addition intense pollution from agricultural inputs and

retting activities deteriorate the water quality of this estuary.

Concentration of nutrients in the estuary shows spatial variation. It is regulated by the fresh

water flow and tidal mixing. Thus the increase of nutrients at station 1&2 are minimized by

the strong flushing characteristics of the estuary, by the removal of sand bar coupled with the

saturation of estuarine water with oxygen content, establishing this estuary to have a higher

capacity for self-purification. If proper measures are taken for the treatment of sewage before

discharge and restrictions are enforced on various anthropogenic activities the health of the

estuary can be maintained. Thus the present baseline information of the physicochemical

properties of water and sediment would form a useful tool for further ecological assessment

and monitoring of this estuary.

Table 1: Correlation matrix of water quality parameters:-post monsoon season


Tamilnadu, India



A.Temp- Atmospheric Temperature S.W.Temp- Surface water Temperature

T.H- Total Hardness, TA- Total Alkalinity

Table 2: Correlation matrix of water quality parameters:- premonsoon season



Table 3: Correlation matrix of water quality parameters:- monsoon season



6. References

1. APHA (1995), Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water 19th

Edn., American public health association Washington D .C

2. Ahila Angelin, Eyarin Jebamalar., (2010), Effect of salinity on the distribution of

aquatic insects of Manakudy estuary Journal of basic and applied biology, 4(3), pp 91-

97.


Tamilnadu, India



3. Anila Kumari. K.S., Abdul Azis. P.K., Natarajan. P., (2007), Water quality of the

Adimalathura estuary, Southwest coast of India. Journal of the marine biological

association of India, 49(1), pp 1-6

4. Anila kumari K.S., and Abdul Azis P.K., (1992), Water quality of Poonthura estuary

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