Pollution in the estuaries of north Kerala
Pollution in the estuaries of north Kerala
Date
2010
Authors
Ashraf, P.M.
Abhilash, P.P.
Thomas, S.N.
Edwin, L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)
Abstract
Deterioration of the perennial rivers and estuarine areas due to human
interventions, over exploitation and increased pollution is a major concern
among the policy makers, planners and researchers. Estuaries are
heterotrophic. ecosystems and act as source of carbon dioxide due to the
increased anthropogenic disturbances (Mukhopadhyay etal., 2002; Biswas
et al., 2004). Freshwater runoff, sediment transport, fluxes of carbon and
nutrients in coastal ecosystems are affected by changes in land use
pattern and reduced coverage of vegetation (Walsh, 1991). The key link
of global carbon cycle is the transfer of organic matter from the land to
ocean through the rivers (Richey et al., 1990). Every year, large volumes
of sediment were transported through the estuaries to the oceans out of
which 85% are minerals and the rest is mainly organic matter. Annual
load of sediments from the estuary to the northeast coast of Bay of Bengal
was estimated to be 65.19x106 t (Mukhopadhyay et al., 2006). This has
resulted in large quantities of nutrient release which temporarily rests on
the banks, flood plains and river beds.
Description
Keywords
Pollution, hydro graphic parameters, ecosystem, environment, minerals
Citation
Proceedings of the National Seminar on Conservation and Sustainability of Coastal Living Resources of India, 1-3 December 2009, Cochin, ed.by Meenakumari, B. et.al 202-208