N. Thirunavukkarasu ¹, S. Gokulakrishnan ¹, P. V. R. Premjothi ¹, R. Moses Inbaraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Marine Studies and Coastal Resource Management, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai–59, IN

Abstract

Coastal zones are currently experiencing intense and sustained environmental pressures from a range of driving forces. Responsible agencies around the globe are seeking ways of better managing the causes and consequences of the environmental change process in coastal areas. The demands on the environment are raising serious concerns from environmentalists, stakeholders, coastal communities and researchers. Pulicat Lake is the second largest lagoon in India has rich natural but at the same time very fragile ecosystem. This lagoon provides nursery and breeding grounds for many species of marine fauna and supports commercial fishing too. This article discusses the current status of the Pulicat Lake biodiversity, the ecological crisis faced by the lake due to lake-mouth closure issues, siltation, shrinkage of the lake, pollution, over fishing, degradation and destruction of natural habitats in the environment. Further it focus on fishermen community socio-economic perspectives of their development towards livelihoods, social organization, literacy, fishing pattern, marketing outlet, income and involvement by NGO's etc. The healthier lake needs integrated policy approaches, which involve scientific disciplines to address the complexity of the interaction between the social and natural systems in the coastal and marine environment.

Keywords

Pulicat Lake, Fragile Ecosystem, Siltation, Literacy, Fishing Pattern

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N. Kannan ¹, N. Thirunavukkarasu ², A. Suresh ¹, K. Rajagopal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Vels University, Chennai - 600117, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Viyasarpadi, Chennai - 600039, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study is to collect the samples of true mangrove plant, associated mangrove plants, water and sediments from Ennore Mangrove Ecosystem and the samples are analyzed for heavy metals accumulation. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: The water, sediment and plant materials were collected at 6 locations. After the collection, the plant materials were washed with distilled water and they were dried and acid digested. Further the samples were subjected to analysis of heavy metals by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Triplicate samples were analyzed and their results were expressed in ppm. The statistical analysis ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and DMRT (Duncan Multiple Range Test) were used. Findings: The maximum concentrations of metals were accumulated (lead-20.93±0.26 ppm/l in water and 48.5±1.44 ppm/g in sediments) in station 4, 5 and minimum concentration (zinc -2.95±0.25 ppm/l in water and 4.36±0.10 ppm/g in sediment) was observed in station 5. In overall average accumulation of heavy metals like Pb (6.09±4.59 ppm/g) > Zn (4.35±3.22 ppm/g) > Cd (3.78±2.80 ppm/g) > Hg (2.84 ± 2.70 ppm/g) > Cr (2.76±2.90 ppm/g) > Cu (0.58 ±0.42 ppm/g) found in the Avicennia marina followed by Pb (4.19±3.13 ppm/g) > Zn (4.12±3.32 ppm/g) > Cd (3.78±2.79 ppm/g) Cr (2.47±1.91 ppm/g) Hg (1.89±1.61ppm/g) > Cu (1.27±1.20 ppm/g) in the Suaeda nudiflora and Pb (4.39±3.23 ppm/g) > Zn (3.77±2.99 ppm/g) > Cd (2.39±1.86 ppm/g) > Cr (1.75±1.34 ppm/g) Hg (0.76±0.74 ppm/g) > Cu (0.50±0.40 ppm/g) in the Sesuvium portulacastrum. The metal concentration of the water and sediments were significantly (p<0.05) varied and in plants, lead (Pb) were significantly varied (p<0.05) between selected plants parts then the other metals like Hg, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn were not significant. Application/Improvements: Heavy metals contamination was observed in all samples. The mangroves accumulated more concentration than associated mangroves, therefore the Avicennia marina is suitable candidate for bioaccumulator and recommended for phytoremediation.

Keywords

Accumulation, Ecosystem, Ennore, Heavy Metals, Mangroves, Phytoremediation.

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