Abstarcts- Estuaries-Past, Present & Future 2015

JUBILEE 2015

Organised by

Department of Geology

Govindram Seksaria Science College, Belagavi

UGC Sponsored National Seminar

ESTUARIES OF INDIA:

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE th th

24 -25 July 2015 A

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Convener's Note

Dr.P.T.Hanamgond

Govindram Seksaria Science (GSS) College is a NAAC accredited A grade premier institution in Science

catering for the need of society in providing quality education in this part of the country. It is run by

South Konkan Education Society, under the supervision of a progressive management. It has a beautiful

campus with well equipped laboratories, departmental museums, well qualified and dedicated staff. The

library is known to have largest collection of books in the northern Karnataka.

The Department of Geology is one of the oldest departments and is well known for its academic

excellence in this part of the country. The alumni of the department have spread all over India. The

department is active in Coastal Research of Uttara Kannada and Southern Maharashtra Coast;

through major research projects funded by DST, UGC & MoES; and have contributed many National

& International publications.

About the present Seminar: The land-sea interface or the 'coastal zone' is highly dynamic and fragile

environment where every micro environment of coast is changing by every passing moment. The most

fragile ecosystems within the coastal environment, such as beaches, estuaries, mud flats, marshes,

mangroves and coral reefs are subjected and influenced by intense land-sea interactions as well as human

interference by way of fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, coastal construction, mining, tourism and

recreation, harbour development and navigation. Added to these pressures the impact of changing

climate, such as sea level rise, seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall etc., affect many of

regulatory and social and economic functions of coastal zones.

As more than 50% of the world's population live along the coastal zone, the need for data base on the

above aspects, on any coast is a prerequisite for the coastal zone management and planning towards

creating better infrastructure and better planning and developmental activity of the coast.

The estuaries are one of the environments that are intensively exploited by mankind all around the

world. It is observed that inshore and estuarine waters are of great importance to man for

transportation, source of food, source of sand, recreation and aesthetic beauty and its coastal setting.

The aim and objectives of the present seminar is to provide a platform to share the knowledge of

researchers on estuarine processes and environment to bring in scientific deliberations on the estuaries of

India. The fundamental objectives are to provide an opportunity for an interdisciplinary exchange of

ideas by scientists; critically summerize the characteristics and status of knowledge of Indian estuaries;

current trends in research; and to find out gaps in researches so that the young marine-geoscientists can

take up the research along this fragile environment.

I have received immense help from my colleagues Ms.Manisha Dhuri, Mr.Suraj Mense and my research

students Mr.Sagar Waghmare & Priyanka Shinde for preparing the abstract volume. I am grateful to

University Grants Commission, New Delhi for the financial support. I also thank all the sponsors for

their kind guestures. I also thank the organising committee members for their help. My special thanks to

our beloved Principal Prof.A.K.Mense and the SKE Society Management for the support.

Convener

Associate Professor of Geology & IQAC Co-ordinator,

G.S.Science Degree College,

Tilakwadi, BELGAUM 590 006.

i

SEMINAR ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Patrons

Shri. R.D.Shanbhag, Chairman, South Konkan Education Society, Belagavi.

Shri. S.V. Shanbhag, Chairman, GSSc College, Managing Commitee, Belagavi.

Chairman

Prof. A.K.Mense, Principal, GSS College, Belagavi.

Convener

Dr. P.T.Hanamgond

Dept. of Geology, G.S.S.College, Belagavi.

Reception and Registration Committee

Prof. M.S.Nagsuresh Mathematics Dept. - Chairman

Prof. (Mrs) Ambuja Chitnis, Chemistry Dept- Member

Mr. Sagar Waghmare, KLS's VDRIT, Haliyal - Member

Mr. Suraj Mense, Dept of Geology - Member

Stage Committee

Prof. Mrs. Anuja Naik, Dept of English Chairman

Prof. Surekha Nerlikar Dept. of Comp. sci Member

Miss. Manisha Dhuri, Dept of Geology-Member

Mrs. Priyanka S. Shinde, Jain College of Engg. - Member

Mr. Deepak Adiandra, Attender

Mr. Manhoar Patil, Attender

Catering Committee

Prof. B. L. Majukar, Dept. of Botany Chairman

Prof. Bhat, Dept. of Botany Member

Shri.M.P.Karande, Attender

Transportation & Accommodation Committee

Prof. A.A. Halgekar, Dept. of Zoology - Chairman

Prof. P.S.Patil, Dept. of Physics Member

Prof. Dalvi, Dept. of Botany Member

Mr. Yogesh Kutre - Member

Shri. J.R.Ravaluche, Attender

Mr. Uttam Banoshi, Attender

Accounts

Shri. A. M. Samant.

ii

iii

CONTENTS

Title and Authors Pg. No.

Estuaries: a review of literature on definition and classification

P.T.Hanamgond 1

Morphology, Hydrodynamics and Sedimentation of Estuaries, Creeks and

Creeklets on Maharashtra Coast

S.N.Karlekar 8

Health of the estuaries along central west coast of India

G. N. Nayak 10

Distribution of ostracoda in the ennore creek, chennai and mullipallam

creek, Muthupet, Tamil Nadu, India: implications for pollution ecology,

microenvironment and sediment deposition an overview

S. M. Hussain 11

Physiography of India's coasts and islands

T. C. Sharma 13

Anthropogenic impacts on estuaries a case study

Purandara Bekal 14

Study of Sedimentary Environment of Alibag Creek, Maharashtra

Ganesh Sonawane, Tushar Shitole and Amol Jarag 16

Changing configurations of the Sundarban shoreline after the landfall

of cyclone 'Sidr' (2007) and cyclone 'Aila' (2009) in the coastal parts of

Northern Bay of Bengal

Dr. Ashis Kr. Paul, Anurupa Paul and Surya Umberje 17

Diversity of Crabs in Karwar Mangrove environment, West Coast of India

Pradnya D. Bandekar and V.S.Kakati 18

Assessing Aquifer Vulnerability to Sea Water Intrusion Using Galdit

Method: A Case Study of Karwar, West Coast of India

Sagar M. Waghmare, Rahul Hugar, Chidanand Dharmatti, Sireesh Jakati,

Aaisha Shaikh & Priyanka S. Shinde 19

iv

Dynamics of Netravati-Gurpur and Mulki-Pavanje Estuaries, Karnataka, India

Ateeth Shetty, K.S. Jayappa, Avinash Kumar, A.S. Rajawat and Ratheesh

Ramakrishnan 20

A Multi-Proxy Investigation of an Estuarine Sediment Core from

Udupi District to Investigate Past Rainfall Variations

Shwetha B Shetty1 and R Shankar 21

Isolation of specific pathogenic bacteria vibrio parahaemolyticus

from the shell fishes of kali estuary Karwar, West Coast of India.

Devaraj Kammar, Shivakumar Haragi and U.G. Naik 22

Studies on distribution and abundance of pennate diatoms in the river Kali

Sujata K. Nilajkar and U. G. Naik 23

Mineral magnetic and trace element characterization of gad river

sediments, maharashtra: source weathering implications

B.V.Lakshmi, Praveen Gawali and Pramod T.Hanamgond 24

Distribution and diversity of centric diatoms along the southern coast of

Karwar

Pallavi P. Choudhari and Dr. U.G. Naik 24

Seasonal movement of pollutants in Belapur estuary, Mumbai

Dr. Surendra C. Thakurdesai, Dr. Savita S. Kulkarni 25

Biodiversity of fin fishes in kali estuary, Karwar, West Coast of India

Ulhas G. Naik, Raveendra Durgekar, Neelam, P., S.B. Haragi and J.L. Rathod 26

Need to assess the vulnerability and its conservation measures for

sustainable development of estuaries: a case study of Aghanashini River

Estuary

Sunanda. I. Kittali and S.S. Hangaragi 27

2d and 3d electrical resistivity imaging(eri) for delineating sea water -

fresh water interface in different coastal transects an approach

Dr. V. S. Sarma 29

Textural characteristics and depositional environment along the Kelshi,

Padale and Anjarle beaches, Maharashtra, West Coast of India.

Milind A. Herlekar and Nilesh V. Wavare 31

vStatus of biodiversity of rocky shore Majali, Karwar, West Coast of India.

Swapnil M. Powar and Ulhas G. Naik 32

The study of dynamics and morphology of the Alibag creek using geospatial

techniques

Tushar Shitole and Ganesh A. Sonawane, 33

Sedimentological characteristics of a small tidal inlet at Guhagar,

Maharashtra.

Jagtap Sanjay, Tushar Shitole, Manojkumar Devne, Sunil Kelkar 34

Multitemporal satellite data and GIS analysis of creeks around Mumbai

Thane coast

Manisha S. Dhuri, Debashish Mitra and Pramod T. Hanamgond 35

Morphodynamics of Uttara Kannada Coast, West Coast of India, using

multi-temporal satellite data

Sagar M. Waghmare, Dr. D. Mitra, Dr. P.T.Hanamgond, Dr. B.K.Koti,

Ms. Priyanka Shinde 36

Studies on Physico-Chemical Parameters and Biodiversity of

Freshwater Algae in Argon Lake of Belagavi (Karnataka)

Y. B. Dalvi and Rajanna. L 36

Legumes enrich the estuarine ecosystem near Ratnagiri, Maharashtra a

critical study.

M. M. Patwardhan and P. D. Chavan 37

Assemblage of Gastropods in Rocky Shore and Estuarine Ecosystem of

Karwar- A Diversity Profile

Navanath Kumbhar, Shivakumar Haragi and Ulhas Naik 38

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Goa, India

Manjunatha S, Raju Sukhaye and Davithuraj J 38

ESTUARIES: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON DEFINITION AND

CLASSIFICATION

P.T.Hanamgond

Department of Geology, G.S.Science College, Belagavi 590006

Abstract

By virtue of their characteristics and location, estuaries have been of great interest to

coastal geomorphologists, physical oceanographers, and coastal engineers since 1950s

(John Shi, 2011). It is also known since long that the coastal and estuarine waters are

among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing numerous ecological,

economic, cultural, recreational with aesthetic benefits and services to mankind. However,

they are also among the most threatened eco-systems by flooding and erosion, largely as a

result of the extreme hydrological conditions such as storm waves during cyclones, high

tides, and floods. (Yan Ding and Sam S.Y.Wang, 2008).

The estuaries on the western Indian coast are quite numerous as compared to the east coast

of India. This is mainly due to the presence of Western Ghats, providing numerous river and

backwater systems that contributed formation of numerous estuaries along the west coast.

Hanamgond (2012), has reviewed in detail the definition, classification and nature of

estuaries that are commonly seen along the world coast using many of the leading research

papers, books, special issues and internet literature. In the present paper, the same review

has been highlighted for the benefit of the researchers working on the coast.

Several authors have attempted to define and classify the estuary. The most widely used is

that proposed by Pritchard (1967):

An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water which has a free connection with the

open sea and within which sea water is measurably diluted with fresh water derived from

land drainage.

His classification was based on geomorphological standpoint with four subdivisions: (1)

drowned river valleys, (2) fjord type estuaries, (3) bar-built estuaries and (4) estuaries

produced by tectonic processes.

However, Perillo (1995), has analyzed the definitions and classifications of estuaries that

were published by 40 different reports occurred in dictionaries, encyclopedias as well as

[email protected]

Keywords: Estuary, beaches, Coast

G.S.Science College, Belgaum, Karnataka (24-25 July 2015).

UGC Sponsored National Seminar Esturies of India: Past, Present and Future

1

publications, occurred over a span of 40 years (before 1995) and has provided the following

definition-

An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water that extends to the effective limit of

tidal influence, within which sea water entering from one or more free connections with the

open sea, or any other saline coastal body of water, is significantly diluted with fresh water

derived from land drainage, and can sustain euryhaline biological species from either part

or the whole of their life cycle,

The suggested definition has a quality that

makes it different from all the definitions

proposed previously. Perillo (1995) has

also come out with a new classification of

estuaries after very careful analysis of

reports of Pritchard, (1960); Hayes,

(1975); Dalrymple et al., (1992); and

Fairbridge, (1980). The new classification

proposed by him, is based on genetic and

morphological considerations. The first

division is the necessary genetic

differentiation of estuaries either primary

or secondary estuaries (Figure 1) following

the criteria given by Shepard (1973) in his

classification of shorelines.

Defra (2002) has developed a more recent

classification for UK estuaries (Table 1).

He uses the first three geomorphological

types identified by Pritchard (1967) and

included behavioral type to suggest the

following seven subdivisions. However,

t h i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n e x c l u d e s

tectonic/volcanic origins which are found

elsewhere in the world.Figure 1. Classification of estuaries

based on genetic and morphological

considerations (After Perillo, 1995).

2G.S.Science College, Belgaum, Karnataka (24-25 July 2015).


Table 1. Classification of UK Estuaries (after Defra, 2002)

Table 2. Estuary typology (modified from Future Coast; Defra, 2002)

This classification has been further developed by the EstSim Project (FD 2117, EstSim

Consortium, 2007) to identify specific geomorphological elements of UK estuaries in the

form of an estuary typology by developing a rule base. Each of the estuary types has been

mapped in terms of their key morphological components, termed their geomorphic

elements (Table 2), in Systems diagrams for UK estuaries.



Table 3 EstSim (EstSim Consortium, 2007) rules to identify estuary type using the

UK Estuaries Database.

Type Behavioural type Rule

1 Fjord Glacial origin, exposed rock platform set within steep-

sided relief and with no significant mud or sand flats

2 Fjard Glacial origin, low lying relief, with significant area of

sand or mud flats

3 Ria Drowned river valley in origin, with exposed rock

platform and no linear banks

4 Spit-enclosed Drowned river valley in origin, with one or more spits

and not an embayment

5 Funnel-shaped Drowned river valley in origin, with linear banks or no

ebb/flood delta and not an embayment

6 Embayment

River or marine in origin (i.e. not glacial), with multiple

tidal rivers meeting at or near mouth and a bay

width/length ratio1 of 1 or greater, and no exposed rock

platform

7 Tidal inlet Drowned coastal plain in origin, with barrier beaches or

spits

1 Where bay extends from sea opening to the confluence of the rivers



The characteristic features of estuaries (Table 3) given by EstSim Consortium (2007),

include:

1. extensive intertidal areas including salt marshes, mudflats and sand flats,

2. semi-diurnal or diurnal tidal regime,

3. wave shelter,

4. water layering and mixing,

5. temperature and salinity gradients,

6. sediment suspension and transport,

7. high productivity,

8. high levels and rapid exchange of nutrients,

9. the presence of plants and animals particularly adapted to these conditions, and

10. The presence of migrant and seasonally fluctuating populations of animals

(particularly birds).

Within EstSim (EstSim Consortium, 2007) the physical features of estuaries have been

classified into the following units:

Cliffs;

Barrier beaches;

Spits;

Dunes;

Deltas;

Rock platforms;

Mudflats;

Sand flats;

Salt marsh; and

Drainage basin.



Several text books are available which provide very good information on the estuarine

processes viz., by Ippen (1966), McDowell & O'Connor (1977), and Dyer (1996) and

books by Pethick (1984), Carter (1988). Carter & Woodroffe (1994) have chapters on

estuaries with information on geomorphological perspective.

Estuaries change constantly with the tidal fluctuation i.e., rising tide (water flows towards

land; flood tide); falling tide (water flows towards sea; ebb tide); and due to the effect of

storm generated waves which erode the coast and remove the sediment away from the river

mouth- either offshore (if the river currents are strong) creating ebb tidal shoals (offshore

sedimentation) at the entrance of river mouth/estuary, or onshore (if the currents are weak)

creating flood tidal shoals (onshore sedimentation, Figure 2); or longshore in the down drift

direction, forming spit or growth of the existing spit. However, the sediment from the flood

/ebb tidal shoals is transported back to the mouth of the estuary and help in developing the

spit during fair-weather conditions.

Estuaries are therefore dynamic places with many habitats and where living things have to

cope with changing salinity, temperature and often wetting and drying. Estuaries are also

often r ich in food and nutr ients and support complex food webs

(http://www.canri.nsw.gov.au/nrdd/records/ANZNS0359000400.html).

Kjerve (1989), gives the importance of estuaries and provide number of reasons- Estuaries

are usually teaming with a huge variety of life or biodiversity; they provide the nursery and

feeding grounds for many living things that include:

- Shore birds and wading birds;

- Important fish species;

- Shell fish - mollusks and crustaceans; and

- Marine mammals and reptiles.

The salinity distributions and water circulation patterns within estuaries depends upon

freshwater discharge and tidal range and hence the water circulation and salinity

distribution is complex and differ from estuary to estuary.

Several things contribute to the form and functioning of an estuary, such as- the size and

length of the river catchment, the amount of river flow or discharge, the tidal range and

geological setting.

Acknowledgement

The author thank the University Grants Commission,New Delhi, for providing financial

support towards Major Research Project (F. 33-42/2007 (SR) 28/2/08).



References

Carter, R. W. G., 1988. Coastal Environments: An Introduction to the Physical, Ecological

and Cultural Systems of Coastlines, Academic Press, 617 p.

Carter, R.W.G. and Woodroffe, C.D. (Editors) 1994. Coastal Evolution: Late Quaternary

Shoreline Morphodynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 517 pp.

Dalrymple, R. W., Zaitlin, B. A., and Boyd, R., 1992. Estuarine facies models; conceptual

basis and stratigraphic implications. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology. 62, pp 1130-1146.

Defra 2002, http://www.estuary-guide.net/guide/chapter3_estuary_setting.asp.

Dyer, K.R., 1986. Coastal and Estuarine Sediments Dynamics, John Wiley & Sons Ltd,

Chichester, UK, 342 pp.

EstSim Consortium, 2007. http://www.2.geog.ucl.ac.uk/ceru/download/estim/

FD2117_DRAFT_TR_140907.pdf

Fairbridge, R.W., 1980. The estuary: its definition and geodynamic cycle. In: Olausson, E.

and Cato, I. (Eds.) Chemistry and Biogeochemistry of Estuaries. J. Wiley & Sons,

Chichester, pp 1-35.

Hanamgond, 2012, Estuarine Dynamics of Kalavali, Kolamb and Karli Rivers With

Special Reference to their Impact on the Malvan Coast, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra,

India. UGC Major Research Project (F. 33-42/2007 (SR) 28/2/08), 268p.

Hayes, M. O., 1975. Morphology and sand accumulation in estuaries, In: L.E.Cronin

(eds.), Estuarine Research. Academic Press, New York, vol.2, 3- 22.

Ippen, A.T., 1966. Estuary and Coastline Hydrodynamics. McGraw-Hill, New York.

John Z. Shi, Book Review., Journal of Coastal Research, Vol. 27, No. 3, 2011 pp 605-606.

McDowell, D.M., O'Connor, B.A., 1977. Hydraulic Behaviour of Estuaries. Macmillan,

London.

Pethick, J.S., 1994. Estuaries and wetlands: function and form. In: Wetland Management.

Thomas Telford, London, pp 75-87.

Perillo G. M. E., 1995. Definitions and geomorphologic classifications of estuaries, in

Geomorphology and Sedimentology of Estuaries. Developments in Sedimentology 53

(Pub: Elsevier Science).

Pritchard, D. W., 1967. What is an estuary, physical viewpoint. In: G. H. Lauf (editor):

Estuaries. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington D.C., publ.

no. 83.

Kjerve, B. 1989. Chapter 2, Estuarine geomorphology and physical oceanography, In J. W.

Day, Jr., C. A. S. Hall, W. M. Kemp and A. Yez-Arancibia [eds.], Estuarine Ecology.

Wiley, pp 47-78.

Yan Ding and Sam S.Y.Wang, 2008. Development and Application of a Coastal and

Estuarine Morphological Process Modeling System, Journal of Coastal Research, SI 52,

pp 127-140.

http://www.canri.nsw.gov.au/nrdd/records/ANZNS0359000400.html



MORPHOLOGY, HYDRODYNAMICS AND SEDIMENTATION OF

ESTUARIES, CREEKS AND CREEKLETS ON MAHARASHTRA COAST

S.N.Karlekar

Dean, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune

[email protected]

Abstract

An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water connected to the sea as far as the tidal limit or

the salt intrusion limit which also has a freshwater runoff. However the freshwater inflow

may not be perennial and the connection to the sea may be closed for part of the year and

tidal influence may be negligible. This broad definition also includes lagoons, river

mouths, tidal creeks and small creeklets.

The estuaries on Maharashtra coast (Konkan) are distinct especially due to their tidal and

fresh water regime. They can be seen in many forms such as, tidal mouths, major and minor

creeks and creeklets.. Some creeks and estuaries are bar built and coastal plain estuaries and

some appear as drowned river valleys. They exhibit a complex pattern of tidal currents and

sedimentation.

Lengthening of ebb conditions is an important aspect and is reflected in the tidal delay

period (residence time) of about 1 to 2.5 hours. Imbalance between the length of the estuary

and the contemporary tidal incursion is seen as the ponding of tidal water in mid portion of

some estuaries.

The major sedimentary environments of creeks and estuaries on Konkan coast are marsh

and swamp edge, high and low tide flats, sand lenses, sand banks and sand islands. The mid

creek or estuarine sectors are invariably the areas of silt clay bars. On an average the depth

of tidal inlets varies from 1 m near the head to about 4 m near the entrance of tidal mouth.

Fresh water flow in monsoons is one of the fundamental controls and affects salinity

structure of Konkan estuaries. A pronounced salt wedge in dry season is a dominant feature.

During monsoon due to high fresh water flow, all traces of sea water are effectively flushed

out from most of the moderate size creeks and estuaries. However, some amount of vertical

stratification still remains in the lower column of tidal water in post monsoon .The salt

wedge is re-established very rapidly in monsoon.

There exist several areas of salinity and sediment accumulation in estuaries. A substantial

portion of suspended sediment that enters the estuaries is deposited within estuaries only. A

large proportion settles on the mud flats and other areas fringing the main tidal channel.



These tidal inlets perform the role of flooding the wide tidal area across the mudflats and

halophytic wetlands. The tidal channels are more or less branching and sinuous and show

forms such as linear, dendratic and meandering.

Although tidal Channels in estuaries and creeks bear a superficial resemblance to dendrites

of river channel networks, flow is bi-directional in creeks which are distinctively tapering

and discharge is determined by the tidal prism. The tidal prism can be divided in to the

volume over the inlet surface, the time for which the area is inundated and the depth of

flooding between tides.

The tidal flats in these inlets are level muddy surfaces bordering the inlets. The tidal waters

enter and leave a tidal flat through fairly straight major tidal channel, with minor channels

serving as tributaries as well as distributaries. It was also noticed that the minor channels

meander and migrate considerably every year.

In addition to the alternating submergence and exposure, the varying influences of fresh

river water and saline marine waters are very significant in major tidal estuaries. This is

however not very significant in the small tidal creeks and creeklets.

The seasonal filling of inlets in fair weather and flushing of sediment in monsoons is found

to be more remarkable in wave dominated estuaries of Konkan coast. Although this

tendency is also found in tide dominated inlets of northern coast, the phenomenon is not

very striking. This is mainly due to the fact that the fresh water supply to these inlets is only

by short streams of limited catchments. The Google images of these inlets in monsoon and

fair weather amply demonstrate this fact.

The coastal environment where tidal range is 2 m and less is considered as a micro tidal

environment .The environment having 2 to 4 m tidal range is meso tidal and that with 4 m

and above is considered as macro tidal.

The geographical extent of the tidal inlets in micro tidal environment is relatively small

(less than 2.5 km2) in Konkan. Most of the tidal inlets and estuaries show flood and ebb

tidal deltas, tidal channels and adjacent beach and aeolian dune systems.

The estuaries and creeks on this coast are changing very fast since last two decades. Areas

within some of the estuaries are getting transformed to peat bog type acidic and polluted

environments. Restricted tidal circulation, changes in dispersal of sediments, degradation

of biota, conversion of open marine sectors to peat bogs, reduction in fish catch and heavy

siltation are the major issues of estuarine environment on this coast.

***



HEALTH OF THE ESTUARIES ALONG CENTRAL WEST COAST OF INDIA

G. N. Nayak

Department of Marine Sciences, Goa University, Goa 403 206, India

[email protected]

Abstract

An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with a free connection to the open sea

and within which sea water is diluted by fresh water. Estuaries may originate either from

the drowning of river valleys or fjords; the formation of barrier beaches that enclose a

shallow bay, or tectonic activity. The fresh water derived from land drainage tends to float

over the denser sea water, but tidal mixing can reduce or obliterate this stratification. Due to

the mixing of fresh and saline waters, estuaries are highly variable in physical, chemical,

and biological properties and exhibit rapid changes in salinity, temperature, nutrients,

sediment load. Further, they harbor unique plant and animal communities. Estuaries are

known as sinks for finer sediments, organic carbon and metals.

The central west coast of India provides facility to study tropical estuaries which are small

in size and are affected on one hand by human activities in the catchment areas viz. building

dams; enhanced diversified agricultural practices; mining, various industrial and other

developments and on the other hand,affected by sea level variations, changing monsoon

patterns and other climatic variations. These activities have changed pattern of

sedimentation in estuaries and enhanced finer sediment deposition along with more

organic matter and metals. Metals are remobilized within the sediment column and

transformed to various bioavailable forms. The bioavailable forms are diffused to water

column which affects water chemistry; and also enter benthic organism and bio-

accumulate.The enhanced metal release to estuaries is therefore affecting health of the

estuaries. It is time to initiate appropriate scientific remedial measures to reduce metal

release and restore and protect the health of the estuaries.

***



DISTRIBUTION OF OSTRACODA IN THE ENNORE CREEK, CHENNAI AND

MULLIPALLAM CREEK, MUTHUPET, TAMIL NADU, INDIA:

IMPLICATIONS FOR POLLUTION ECOLOGY, MICROENVIRONMENT

AND SEDIMENT DEPOSITION AN OVERVIEW

S. M. Hussain

Department of Geology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025,

India

[email protected]

Abstract

Microfossils have been very well proved useful for ecologic/paleoecological and

paleoclimatic applications. Ostracods are micro-Crustacean characterized by the presence

of two calcified valves called as carapace which got attached dorsally. They are successful

inhabitants of almost every aquatic environment, including marine (from deep oceans to

shallow seas), brackish water lagoons, estuaries/creeks, mangroves and even freshwater

streams, lakes, etc. The application of statistical data on Ostracoda, such as juveniles and

adults; closed and isolated valves; males and females; right and left valves; smooth and

ornamented forms, etc., besides colour variation, pyritisation and predation, to interpret the

environment and rate of deposition of sediments has attained importance, during the last

five decades. In this paper, these statistics of ostracods are used to infer the pollution

ecology, microenvironment and comparative rate of sedimentation from two different

creeks of Tamil Nadu and reviewed.

The first case study is from the creek of Ennore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Apart from

agriculture, marine based salt panning, fishing and aquaculture are the main professions of

the creek area. The depth of the creek ranges from 0.5 to 6 m and on northwestern part

merging with the tidal flats. The mangrove swamps are depleting due to depletion of flow

of fresh water in the creek. Major industries located on the bank of the creek are Kothari

Fertilizers, EID Parry Fertilizers, Ennore Foundries, Ennore Thermal Power Station,

Ashok Leyland, Chennai Rubber Factory, Fertilizer Unit- I and II, TAMIN, Oil Mill and

Chennai Petrochemicals, which might have been expected to contribute stress on the

biological community of the creek. A total of twenty sediment samples were collected

representing post-monsoon period, from the Ennore creek, north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

A total of 30 species belonging to 24 genera, 15 families, 2 super families and 2 suborders of

the order Podocopida, have been identified. Basslerites liebaui, Jankeijcythere mckenziei,

Kalingella mckenziei, Neomonoceratina jaini are endemic to Indian waters only. Some

ostracod species characteristic of brackish water such as Cyprideis cf. C.mandviensis,



Hemicytheridea sp., Jankeijcythere mckenziei, Kalingella mckenziei, Loxoconcha

megapora India and Neosinocythere dekrooni occur in the creek. Freshwater species like

Cyprinotus salinus occur in the outer creek region, i.e., towards riverine side. An account

on the carapace-valve ratio has been presented which indicate a faster rate of sedimentation

prevailing in the Ennore creek. The presence of many dead ostracod forms and less

occurrence of living specimens also supports this observation. The low count of living

ostracod forms may be due to the effect of effluents being discharged from the surrounding

industries. The ostracod carapaces and valves are clear, pale yellow to white in colour and

preservation is good. This shows that the creek is not highly polluted. However, few species

exhibit one or two juvenile stages, which reflect on the partial pollution, deteriorating

environment of the creek and uncongenial conditions for the growth of the ostracod

carapace.

The second case study area under investigation is Mullipallam creek area which is located

near Muthupet, along the coastal zone of Bay of Bengal and Palk Strait. It is a part of large

coastal wetland complex called the Great Vedaranyam Swamp. A mangrove species

Avicennia marina is the dominant in the creek. Ostracod studies from the sediments

collected from the Mullipallam lagoon have led to the recognition of 35 ostracod taxa

belonging to 24 genera of the order Podocopida. Neomonoceratina iniqua is recorded in all

the sediment samples. It outnumbered the entire ostracod population and in few samples, it

is represented by > 90% of the population size. Whereas, Hemicytheridea paiki is

represented second to N. iniqua in the study area. An analysis of C/V ratio infers a very fast

sedimentation rate in the lagoon. In modern marginal-marine settings, the salinity

variations determine the composition and diversity of the ostracoda, sometimes dominated

by just two or three species. In an environment often the case in biologically 'stressed' such

as hypersaline water bodies, intertidal settings etc., ostracod assemblages are dominated by

a single taxon. As has been observed, N. iniqua is a dominant and persistent taxon in the

creek area. Due to high siltation from freshwater and terrestrial inputs, a progradational

delta generates and the creek (lagoon) slowly shifts towards the sea. Fast geomorphological

modifications are noticed in the Mullipallam lagoon area which is a highly vulnerable coast

to tsunami and storm surges and also through the growth of mangrove vegetation. In the

study area, almost all the ostracod specimens are light yellow and white in colour

supporting the fact that the sediments are deposited under normal oxygenated environment.

***



PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA'S COASTS AND ISLANDS

T. C. Sharma

Principal (retd.) R.P.D College, Belagavi

Abstract

An attempt has been made in this paper to briefly analyse the physiography of India's coasts

and islands. The study highlights the differences and similarities in the relief of these areas

with the underlying causes and consequences.

India's coasts including the low lying narrow coastal plains and the shores are a part of and

were initially formed cognate with the peninsular plateaus but have undergone significant

changes since then due to eustatic changes in the sea-level, earth movements and subaerial

denudation. Both the coasts show evidences of elevation and depression but on the whole

the West Coast has a much greater length of a sunken coast and the East Coast of an

emergence.

The West Coast is also a more constricted coast breadth-wise as the scarp of the Western

Ghats is much closer to the seashore here. The plain is rugged with laterite-capped residuals

interrupting the surface often in the Mangalore-Daman stretch. The shoreline is broken and

crenelate and all the rivers meet the sea in estuaries washed clean by the strong S.W.

monsoon winds and tidal waves. Kerala has a more smooth topography with many sand

bars and enclosed lagoons and the plains of Gujarat surround the Saurashtra peninsula with

a narrow belt except in the east.

The East Coast is a depositional surface below 10 m. It is 40-50 km wide between the deltas

of the Cauvery and Krishna, while in the valleys of these rivers and also of the Godavari and

Mahanadi it extends to 100 km. The coastline is smooth without indentations here and all

the major rivers form large deltas projecting the coastline by 30-40 km. Under impact of the

monsoon winds the coast has sandy bars and lagoons along the coast and sand dunes inside

2-3 km away parallel to the shore line. The Pulicat and Chilka lakes are old lagoons now cut

off from the sea by bay head bars.

The topography of the coastal islands is according to the origin of coast, these being mostly

rocky unsubmerged parts of the promontories on the West Coast of Karnataka, Goa and

Maharashtra and muddy near sea-level elongated ridges along the distributaries in the

Ganga delta.



The sea Islands topography is also as per their origin. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are

the unsubmerged parts of the Tertiary fold mountain ranges which run southward in an arc

convex to the west from the Arakan Yoma mountains of Myanmar. Their coasts have been

submerged and so have a broken shore line with deep fiord-like creeks, a narrow coastal

plain and a hilly interior.

The Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea are coral reefs built upwards on extinct

volcanic cones on a submarine ridge running from Ratnagiri to Minicoy. They are tiny

islands less than two m above sea level and widely scattered.

***

ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ON ESTUARIES A CASE STUDY

Purandara Bekal

Scientist, National Institute of Hydrology

Hard Rock regional Center

Hanuman nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka

[email protected]

Abstract

One of the major issues in coastal zone management is with respect to increased human

interference on water bodies particularly in the estuarine environment. However, such

activities has little control and poor recording and generally relatedto changes in the

morphology of the estuary.Anthropogenic modification of the estuarine environment can

take place through a number of activities that have changed with time and vary from one

location to another. Modification of the physical, chemical, biological and aesthetic

elements of estuaries is possible and the major impacts in each of these categories are

enormous.Temporal variation in the extent and nature of estuarine modification is shown to

be largely dependent on changing socio-economic conditions and many estuaries contain a

long record of human modification that is now part of the marine archaeological

resource.However, limited research has been undertaken that quantitatively links various

forms of modification, urbanization and recreational activity.Therefore, in the present

study an important coastal water body,Vembanad Estuary, located in Ernakulam district of

Kerala state, which is classified as Ramsar site was studied in detail. This is a transitional

ecotonebetween sea and land, Vembanad lake/estuary is highly productiveenvironment

providing feeding, spawning and rearing areas for a very large proportion ofcommercial

fish and shell fish. It supports rich fishery resources such as a variety of finfish, shell fish,



several species of marine fishes and shrimps. The lake system alsosupports a highly

productive agriculture system in Kuttanad the 'rice bowl of Kerala'-spread over 1,100 sq.

km which is a reclaimed portion of the estuary.A large population living in the drainage

basin is directly or indirectly dependentupon this wetland ecosystem for their livelihood.

The lake is used for fishing, miningsand and lime shell deposits, harvesting live clams and

tourism related activities.Surrounding land mass is used for rice cultivation, plantation

crops, housing, touristresorts etc. All these water based activities depend upon the

environmental integrity of theVembanad estuary and its adjoining areas.The

environmental conditions of the lake are in a steady decline due to bothendogenous and

exogenous factors and hence the wetland ecosystem and the dependentcommunities face

serious threats to their livelihood. The endogenous factors arise fromfishery sector itself

such as destructive fishing practices like the adoption of fishing netswith small mesh size,

fishing during high tide especially near estuarine bar mouths anduse of dynamite and

poison for fish catch etc. Moreover the present level of fishingpressure exerted on the

available estuarine system is beyond sustainable levels.

As a part of the study, an interaction with the local people was also held during the field

visit. People reported that, in the last few years, there is an increase in the number of health

related problems in and around the estuarine areas. This is because the, estuaries are

characterized by high population densities of microbes, plankton, benthic flora and fauna,

and nekton; however, these organisms tend to be highly vulnerable to human activities in

coastal watersheds and adjoining embayments. During the recent field survey, people

opined that the said estuaryis significantly impacted by habitat loss and alteration

associated with human activities.It is reported that in the next 25 years, excessive fishing

due to increased tourism and industrial growth will be the major environmental impact

resulting in habitat destruction. Further, it is important to notice that, there is a significant

increase in sewage and industrial disposalswhich will result in chemical contamination and

eutrophication. Apart from ecological impact, other environmental threats could be climate

change, sea level rise and coastal subsidence. Therefore, it is necessary to opt for scientific

management of estuaries so that it can sustain the environmental hazards. It is necessary to

restrict the boating and tourism activities in the estuarine areas, dredging processes and

sewage disposals by taking appropriate measures.

***



STUDY OF SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENT OF ALIBAG CREEK,

MAHARASHTRA

3

Ganesh Sonawane, Tushar Shitole and Amol Jarag

1. Kr. V. N. Naik College, Nasik

2. Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi, Pune 44. Maharashtra

3.Department of Geography, Shivaji University, Kolhapur

Abstract

Landforms are inevitably represents the products of longer-term sediment process in one

way or other, depend on a particular set of conditions which responsible for behavior of the

sediments at particular place and time. Sediments immediately respond to these particular

set of conditions which is also known as sedimentary environment of a place, Sedimentary

Environment is effect of both man and environmental change upon active surface

sedimentary systems'. Consequently, it can be regarded as the study of how both natural

and anthropogenic inputs and events modify the production and accumulation of the

physical and biogenic constituents of recent sedimentary deposits (Chris Perry and Kevin

Taylor, 2007)

The area of investigation is located south of Alibag (locally known as Alibag creek.) along

the Arabian Sea, west coast of India, The area stretches between1836' N to 1838'N

latitude and 7252'E to 7255'E longitude. The creek shows diverse depositional surface

demarcated by land which remains elevated in both high and low tide stage and

characterize by mesotidal range and well tidal water penetration(landward) in the creeks,

in which sediment transport processes are distributed in contour-parallel fashion from high

tide level to low tide level. The main aim of the investigation is to understand sedimentary

environment of Alibag creek, focusing mainly deposition, erosion and transportation of

sediment, morphology of inter tidal flat, the Study of sorting of grain size distribution

under influence of varying hydrodynamics energy condition within the creek and

sedimentological change driven by land-use modification or contamination.

***



CHANGING CONFIGURATIONS OF THE SUNDARBAN SHORELINE

AFTER THE LANDFALL OF CYCLONE 'SIDR' (2007) AND CYCLONE

'AILA' (2009) IN THE COASTAL PARTS OF NORTHERN BAY OF BENGAL

Dr. Ashis Kr. Paul, Anurupa Paul and Surya Umberje

Department of Geography and Environment Management

Vidyasagar University, Midnapore-721102, W. B

Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The Sundarban coastal zones with their shorelines, estuaries, tidal channels, mud banks,

sand banks and wetlands are changing rapidly after the effects of cyclone landfalls of 'Sidr'

(2007) and cyclone 'Aila' (2009). The paper reveals the causes and types of changing

shorelines with other coastal zone morphologic elements recorded after the landfalls of two

consecutive cyclones of sever magnitude.

Major effects of the two consecutive cyclones have produced weaker resilience capacity of

the active deltaic platform to adjust with a new direction of morphodynamics of the present

day coasts. Mangrove damages, sediment mobility, tidal waves or surge waves with salt

water inundations, and energy concentration of currents are resulted by such severe

cyclones in the Sundarban coasts adjacent of the Bay of Bengal.

Southern face of entire Sundarban is affected by severe land erosion with development of

exposed consolidated mud banks predominantly of previous mangrove land marked by

presence of tree stumps in decomposed conditions. Extensive salt affected coastal lands are

increased rapidly in the form of hyper saline tracts, formerly known as inner peat swamps,

after cyclone landfalls in the deltaic island. Mangrove dieback has taken place in the inner

part of the deltaic islands due to active drainage loss and salt encrustation by increased

evaporation rate that rendering the dry pan into hyper saline tract at present. Swamp floor is

blanketed by salt affected sea sands in many places along the estuary mouths and deltaic

islands by over wash deposits causing the degradation of mangroves in a significant

amount.

Emerging islands and sand bars in the inner estuaries with shifting nature of thalwegs and

associated braiding and bank erosion, increasing erosion and floodings in the outer

estuaries, and formation of sand spits along the shorelines are characteristics of coastal

configurations, indicating as a change in natural conditions of the low-lying deltaic

platforms. Storminess of the sea and hydrodynamics of the estuaries and local cell



circulation systems of the shallow off shores are possibly the drivers of present day changes

in shoreline configurations of the coast.

Analysis of temporal images, field photography, total station survey and repeated field

investigations for monitoring coastal changes supported the present study to find out the

nature of shoreline configurations after the landfall of two consecutive cyclones in the

Sundarban coast.

Keywords: Cyclone 'Sidr' (2007), Cyclone 'Aila' (2009), Sundarban Coast, Deltaic

Platforms, Storminess of the Sea, Hydrodynamics, Coastal Cell Circulation System

***

DIVERSITY OF CRABS IN KARWAR MANGROVE ENVIRONMENT, WEST

COAST OF INDIA

Pradnya D. Bandekar and V.S.Kakati

Department of Marine Biology Karnatak University P.G.Centre

Kodibag Karwar-581303

[email protected]

Abstract

Mangroves are unique intertidal wetlands of tropics and sub-tropics which supports

genetically diverse groups of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The mangroves are of great

ecological and economic significance in coastal protection, enrichment of water quality

and in production of fishery resources. Crabs are among the most predominant species in

many of these wetlands. The crabs depend directly on mangrove areas for survival, by

feeding on leaves and litter. They have significant role in detritus formation, nutrient

recycling and dynamics of the ecosystem, together with numerous annelids and nematodes

living in the sediment. The digging behaviour by crabs enhances aeration and facilitates

drainage of mangrove soils. They are adapted to the sediment conditions, tidal fluctuations

and varying salinities found in the mangroves. Distribution of crabs in Karwar was

recorded from October 2007 to July 2008 and again in January 2014 to Dec 20014 at

monthly intervals. The species present on the substratum and on the vegetation area were

recorded in quadrant each measuring 1 meter square. There are 17 crab distributed in

Karwar mangrove environment. Crabs belonging to the family Grapsidae and Ocypodidae

are most dominant forms. Substrate suitability, effects of tidal inundation and distributation



of mangrove plants were the possible factors that could influence zonation and abundance

of the crabs in the Karwar mangroves. The present study was concentrated on the

distribution of crabs in Karwar mangrove environment

.

Key words: Mangroves, Karwar , Grapsidae, Ocypodidae, Kali estuary, Avicennia,

Rhizophora and Sesarma

***

ASSESSING AQUIFER VULNERABILITY TO SEA WATER INTRUSION

USING GALDIT METHOD: A CASE STUDY OF KARWAR, WEST COAST OF

INDIA

Sagar M. Waghmare, Rahul Hugar, Chidanand Dharmatti, Sireesh Jakati, Aaisha

Shaikh & Priyanka S. Shinde*

KLS's Vishwanathrao Deshpande Rural Institute of Technology Haliyal- 581329

*Jain College of Engineering, Belgaum 590014

[email protected]

Abstract

Worldwide population, economic production and social activities are mostly concentrated

in deltas, coastal areas and riverbanks. In case of India, about 30% of the population is

settled in the wide coastal belt of 75000km long. Water being the major element of the

human need, it is essential that every human should get the good quality of water for

drinking purpose. But, it has found that quality of the water is decreasing day by day and

adverse effects of the same are observed on the mankind. Especially in the coastal area of

India, intrusion of sea water is the common issue observed now a day. Thus, study was

undertaken in Karwar taluk to understand about the areas which are under vulnerability to

the sea water intrusion. For these studies we have adopted the GALDIT Index prepared by

CHACHADI and LOBO-FERREIRA (2005).

Study area lies between 1445'-1455'N Lat. And 74-7407'30E Long. Average rainfall

in the area is about 400cm and temperature around 24C to 32C. For the study 27 open th st st

wells are selected and samples are collected on January 27 , April 1 and May 1 2015 along

with a relevant data. Samples are analyzed in the laboratory and GALDIT rankings are

assigned for the results. Finally using ArcGIS, maps are prepared to identify the areas

which are under threat to sea water intrusion. (Fig 2, 3 & 4 Respectively).Study revealed

that Karwar is under moderately vulnerable to sea water intrusion. It also



explains that northern part of study area is under threat to the saline water intrusion while

the southern part is considered to be safer from the hazard. Also it has been observed that

the values indicating the sea water intrusion are increasing considerably as we move

towards the peak summer (May Month).

***

DYNAMICS OF NETRAVATI-GURPUR AND MULKI-PAVANJE ESTUARIES,

KARNATAKA, INDIA

1 1 2 3

Ateeth Shetty , K.S. Jayappa , Avinash Kumar , A.S. Rajawat and Ratheesh 3

Ramakrishnan

1

Dept of Marine Geology, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri - 574 1992

National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Goa - 403 804 3

Geo-Sciences Division, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad - 38 0015

[email protected]

1990's, a seawall and two breakwaters (320 m length on the Bengre spit and 530 m on the

Abstract

Dynamics of Netravati Gurpur and Mulki Pavanje estuaries are investigated using multi-

dated (1991, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2014) satellite images of the last 23 years. The study

suggests gradual shifting of the estuarine mouth of Netravati Gurpur to the north and Mulki

Pavanje to the south. To mitigate the erosion along the Mangalore coast, during early



Ullal spit) were constructed to reduce the intensity of littoral drift entering into the

Netravati Gurpur estuaries. After the construction of these structures, the Bengre spit has

become stable and started growing, while the Ullal spit is subjected to severe erosion. In the

last two decades, a number of seawalls were constructed on the adjacent beaches of these

estuarine systems. These human interventions have resulted in shoreline shifting and

erosion to another adjacent beach, whereas, breakwaters have been acting as barriers for

littoral drift.

To evaluate the impact of coastal processes and human interventions, morphological

evolution of the braided islands of these estuarine systems also has been investigated for

the last 38 (1967-2005) year's period using topographic maps and satellite images. Braided

islands of Mulki - Pavanje estuaries (5 + 1 no's) have been enlarged considerably in their

areal extent during 1967-1997 and marginally from 1997-2005. The four braided islands of

Gurpur estuary also show significant increases in their areal extent during 1967-1997 and

marginal changes from 1997-2005. However, in the Netravati estuary only one island has

recorded an increase in its areal extent (i.e., ~16 acres) during 1967-1997 but later its areal

extent is decreased (~10 acres) during the 1997-2005 period. The changes in the braided

islands morphology can be attributed to the influence of tidal and estuarine processes. The

study clearly demonstrates the applications of Remote Sensing and GIS in understanding

estuarine dynamics.

Keywords: Estuarine Dynamics, Braided Islands, Human interventions, Remote Sensing

& GIS.

***

A MULTI-PROXY INVESTIGATION OF AN ESTUARINE SEDIMENT CORE

FROM UDUPI DISTRICT TO INVESTIGATE PAST RAINFALL VARIATIONS

1

Shwetha B Shetty and R Shankar

Department of Marine Geology, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri 574199

[email protected]

Abstract

We investigated the rock magnetic, sedimentological and geochemical parameters of a 70-

cm long sediment core from the Saligrama estuary of the Sita River, Udupi District,

Karnataka. The main objective was to determine the past rainfall variations of the region.

Rock magnetism is used here to study the past rainfall conditions in the estuary and its

catchment based on the suggestion of Shankar et al. (2006) that magnetic susceptibility



may be used as a proxy for rainfall in tropical regions. Particle size data are used to

determine the relationship between magnetic mineral concentration and particle size.

Concentration-dependent rock magnetic parameters (lf, fd, ARM and SIRM) indicate a

high magnetic mineral concentration in the top half of the core (0-38 cm depth). The

magnetic grain size-indicating ratios (ARM /lf, ARM/SIRM, SIRM/lf) suggest the

presence of very fine magnetic grain size (SD/SSD transition) in this segment of the core.

The high concentration of magnetic minerals may be the result of a high degree of chemical

weathering and pedogenesis, which resulted from high rainfall conditions in the estuary

and its catchment. A relatively coarser magnetic grain size and a lower magnetic mineral

concentration from 38 to 70 cm depth indicate relatively low rainfall conditions due to

which chemical weathering was less intense and pedogenesis less strong. Magnetic

susceptibility and % clay exhibit a positive correlation (r = 0.81) which indicates that the

magnetic minerals reside in the clay fraction of the sediments. Efforts are on to obtain

geochronological data for selected samples. When these data become available, it will be

possible to give a time-frame for the paleoclimatic variations.

Keywords: Estuarine sediments, rockmagnetism, particle size, magnetic susceptibility,

southwest India.

***

ISOLATION OF SPECIFIC PATHOGENIC BACTERIA VIBRIO

PARAHAEMOLYTICUS FROM THE SHELL FISHES OF KALI ESTUARY

KARWAR, WEST COAST OF INDIA.

Devaraj Kammar, Shivakumar Haragi and U.G. Naik

Department of Studies in Marine Biology

Karnataka University Post Graduate Centre, Kodibag, Karwar - 581303

[email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterium in the same family as those that cause Cholera and

Vibrio vulnificus. It inhabits in marine and brackish water and causes gastrointestinal

illness in humans. In the present study V. parahaemolyticus presence were studied in the

commercial important shell fishes (Crassostrea madrasensis, Penaeus indicus, & Paphia

malabarica.) of Kali Estuary, Karwar, Karnataka. The pathogenic bacteria presence traced

during the study period from October 2014 to May 2015 in C. madrasensis. In Paphia

m a l a b a r i c a p r e s e n c e w e r e r e c o r d e d d u r i n g t h e m o n t h o f



November to May 2015, and similarly Penaeus indicus showed the least presence from

March to May 2015. Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been implicated as a major cause of food

borne illness and its presence in the sea food of Kali estuary indicating the precautions to be

take while consuming it raw or undercooked shellfish.

Keywords: V.Parahaemolyticus, Vibrio, Bacteria, Pathogenic, Kali estuary, Shellfishes

***

STUDIES ON DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF PENNATE DIATOMS

IN THE RIVER KALI

Sujata K. Nilajkar and U. G. Naik

Department of Studies in Marine Biology

Karnatak University Post Graduate Center, Karwar- 581303

Abstract

Diatoms are unicellular and eukaryotic microorganisms that form an important component

of the aquatic ecosystem. Diatoms are protists belonging to phylum Bacillariophyta and

class Bacillariophyceae are known by the common name "diatoms.

Study was conducted in Kali estuary to access the distribution and abundance of pennate

diatoms in Kali estuary Karwar, West coast of India for a period of 7 months (August 2014

to February 2015). Two stations were selected one at bar mouth of estuary and one more in

backwaters of Sunkeri.

From the present study 28 species of pennate diatoms were identified in estuary. Among

two study sites maximum density was recorded from the Sunkeri backwaters (23) and bar

mouth (19) during the study period. The maximum density considered with southwest

monsoon period, it is mainly due to the enormous quantity of nutrients availability.Because

of the influx of riverine water and inshore water which are the prime causes in escalating

the pennate diatom population in the study sites.

Keywords: Kali estuary, pennate diatoms, abundance and distributions

***



MINERAL MAGNETIC AND TRACE ELEMENT CHARACTERIZATION OF

GAD RIVER SEDIMENTS, MAHARASHTRA: SOURCE WEATHERING

IMPLICATIONS

#

B.V.Lakshmi, Praveen Gawali and Pramod T.Hanamgond

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Panvel, Navi Mumbai#

GSS College, Belgaum

[email protected]

Abstract

Sediment samples collected at different depths from 11 sites were investigated to

understand magnetic properties and trace element concentration along the Gad river.

Magnetic susceptibility and remanent magnetization results suggest magnetic signal of

these sediments is controlled by magnetite-like ferrimagnetic minerals and a minor

contribution of antiferromagnetic minerals such as hematite. High magnetic susceptibility

values are seen in coarse grain-sized fractions. It also reveals slightly different magnetic

mineralogy in different grain sizes. The relationship between magnetic and chemical

constituents in particular, magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic and isothermal remanent

magnetization are closely correlated with Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn. Variation of mineral

magnetic parameters and their one to one relation with heavy mineral concentration,

especially Cr is attributed to chemical weathering in the hinterland. The qualitative

approach of mineral magnetism, therefore, can be used to study paleomonsoon variability

and its relation to weathering due to changing environmental conditions along the Gad

river system.

***

DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF CENTRIC DIATOMS ALONG THE

SOUTHERN COAST OF KARWAR

Pallavi P. Choudhari and Dr. U.G. Naik

Department of Studies in Marine Biology Karnatak University,

Post Graduate Centre, Kodibag, Karwar - 581303

Abstract

Centric diatoms are present in euphotic and photic zones these take part in nutrient cycle in

ecosystem and play important role in maintaining equilibrium between living and non

living organisms and abiotic factors. These are among the most diverse chromists in marine



water column. And are primary producers of marine food webs. Certain centric diatom

species act as indicators to monitor pollution and other environmental parameters. From

the depth of 1 meter in the southern region of Karwar three samples (water and diatoms)

were collected from 3 different sites for 7 months from August 2014 to February 2015 and

the samples were analyzed for centric diatom distribution and diversity. In the present

study 25 species have been identified of which species Coscinodiscus eccentricus,

Thalassiosira subtalis, Skeletonema costatum were most abundant in all three sites.

Environmental Parameters such as Water temperature, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, pH and

Calcium. Study site with pH 6.9to 8, salinity 29 -30ppt, D.O 4to5ml/l diversity is rich, and

in the month of October i.e. Post monsoon density is high in all the study sites.

***

SEASONAL MOVEMENT OF POLLUTANTS IN BELAPUR ESTUARY,

MUMBAI

1 2

Dr. Surendra C. Thakurdesai , Dr. Savita S. Kulkarni1

P. G. Department of Geography, R. P. Gogate & R. V. Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri

[email protected]

Prof. Ramkrishna More Arts, Science & Commerce College, Akurdi, Pune

[email protected]

Abstract

Belapur estuary is an arm of Dharamtar creek more known as Thane creek. The extent of

Belapur Creek is between 19 00'00.83 N 73 01'46.99E 19 01'33.38 N 73 04'28.83E.

It is 7 kms to the South East of Mumbai. The total length of arm is 11.5 kms and the

maximum width is 500 meters. This creek was selected as it receives waste water from

Taloja, Mahape and Panvel industrial areas. These are major industrial units around

Mumbai. The township of New Mumbai has grown around this creek. The creek is also

used by traditional fishermen and brick kiln owners. There are problems faced by the

resident population due to the pollutants dumped by the industries. To assess the situation

14 sampling sites were selected along the creek and Pre and Post Monsoon sampling was

done at all 14 locations. The water samples collected were analysed for Chloride,

Phosphate contends and Total Dissolved Solids, as these are the major pollutants in the

region. The results show an increase in the concentrations in Post monsoon compared to the

pre monsoon samples. Also the distribution of Chloride and Phosphate contamination is

quite similar where as the TDS shows different distributional pattern. This may be

attributed to the path followed by tidal currents and the resultant velocities in the estuary.



There is large scale contamination accumulation in the creek and its the harmful effects are

evident on the flora and fauna.

***

BIODIVERSITY OF FIN FISHES IN KALI ESTUARY, KARWAR,

WEST COAST OF INDIA

Ulhas G. Naik, Raveendra Durgekar, Neelam, P., S.B. Haragi and J.L. Rathod

Department of Studies in Marine Biology,

Karnatak University Post Graduate Centre, Karwar

Abstract

There is very little quantitative data available on the local species extinctions and the

emergence of new species along this estuary. This estuary is known for it's rich

biodiversity; there is a dire need to study and document the finfishes of this Estuary. In

order to understand and quantify biodiversity loss, biodiversity inventories are a

prerequisite. There is virtually no documentation of the impact on biodiversity of estuarine

fish resources in Kali estuary.

A detailed study was undertaken during the period June 2013 to May 2014 to identify

different estuarine fishes available in Kali estuary. Special effort has been made to study the

species diversity of the finishes and to bring out a digital pictorial inventory of the estuarine

finishes along the Kali estuar.

Seventy (70) fish species belonging to 11 orders and 27 families were collected and

identified during the study period. These consisted of 2 elasmobranch species (sharks, rays

and skates) and 69bony fishes. One species Carcharhinus limbatus has been are listed as

threatened/endangered species under the IUCN Code list

The present study revealed presence of high biodiversity of fin fishes in Kali estuary.

Today, the estuary is faced with various problems that can affect its special characters and

leading to the eventual collapse of the rich but fragile ecosystem. Studies of this kind

attempted are therefore expected to widen our knowledge base of the estuarine fishes so

that such unique habitats are preserved unharmed for posterity in future.

Keywords: Kali estuary, Finishes, Biodiversity

***



NEED TO ASSESS THE VULNERABILITY AND ITS

CONSERVATION MEASURES FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT OF ESTUARIES: A CASE STUDY OF

AGHANASHINI RIVER ESTUARY

Sunanda. I. Kittali and *S.S. Hangaragi

Dept. of Geography, Rani Parvati Devi Arts and Commerce College, Belagavi

590006.

E-mail: [email protected]

*Dept. of Geography, S.R.N. Arts and M.B.S. Commerce College, Bagalkot-587 101

E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract

Coastal regions of India are undergoing rapid land use change, but little attention is paid to

the implications of this change from local community. At present urgent need to assess the

vulnerability level of coastal estuaries towards to control the landuse and landscape

change, is an important step for enhancing the understanding and decision-making to

reduce such vulnerability. The main objectives of this paper are: to assess the level of

vulnerability in the Aghanashini river estuary and to suggest the conservation measures for

sustainable development. This paper presents an analytical framework and associated

indicator system to assess vulnerability level towards to understand the landuse and

landscape change in coastal estuary. The study includes quantification of Exposure Index

(EI), Sensitivity Index (SI) and Adaptive Capacity Index (AI). EI is to measure intensity of

land use. SI and AI are based on some socio-economic attributes of the native residents, as

well as their view on environmental change and management. Based on the quantification

of SI and AI, the vulnerability Index (VI) can be assessed and compared among different

aspects.

Aghanashini River in central Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka originates in the Western

Ghats and flows westward towards the Arabian Sea, major part of its course flowing

through forested gorges and valleys. Having no dams and no notable industrial

establishments or no major townships along its banks the river, it may be considered as one

of the most pristine ones along the west coast. The river confluence to the Arabian Sea is

located near the Aghanashini village of Kumta taluk of Uttar Kannada District. The tidal

portion or estuary, towards the river mouth is a flat expanse of water dotted with small

islands and narrow creeks. This portion, designated as the Aghanashini river estuary, is a

highly productive and biologically rich waterscape/landscape of coastal Karnataka. The

Aghanashini river estuary is ranked first in the productive ecosystems among the all coastal



estuaries of Karnataka state. It is most notable economic and subsistence output estuary, is

the bivalves (Phylum: Mollusca). The meat of these invertebrates is used as a protein rich

food by thousands people along the coastal areas of Karnataka and Goa.

The Aghanashini river estuary and its environs formed the lifeline of the people and

constitute a major cultural and historical heritage of the west coast. It was known as a rice

bowl in the historical times and rice surplus was transported through water crafts to other

regions. The Mirjan fort on the bank of the estuary built by Bijapur Sultans and the ruins of

Aghanashini fort on a hill towards the river mouth giving a commanding view of the sea,

the estuary and the Western Ghats are testimonials for the historical and cultural

importance of the region. Spices grown in the hinterlands of Western Ghats were traded

through the estuary during the European period and earlier to it. Gokarna on its shores has

been, from time immemorial, a great place of pilgrimage. Before the road networks came

the estuary was a major route for transportation of pilgrims. The beaches dotting the

coastline of Gokarna are today well known places of tourism. The picturesque estuary with

flourishing mangrove vegetation, its rich birdlife, and traditional way of life of the people

need to be protected as a cultural heritage and draw for tourism.

The river water carries large quantity of organic materials from the forests in the catchment

area of the Western Ghats and deposits the same in the estuary. The rich bird community

(over 120 species, about half of them winter visitors) associated with the estuarine

ecosystem contributes substantially to the nutrient cycling through their potash and

nitrogen rich castings vii. The constant churning and circulation of waters due to flow of

fresh water from one side and the tidal influx from the Arabian Sea oxygenates the water

and circulates nutrients. Thus, it is imperative to formulate appropriate measures to

conserve the whole estuary landscape and its resources for sustainable development.

Key Words: Estuary, Vulnerability, Conservation, Sustainable Development, Landscape

***



2D AND 3D ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY IMAGING(ERI) FOR

DELINEATING SEA WATER -FRESH WATER INTERFACE IN DIFFERENT

COASTAL TRANSECTS AN APPROACH

Dr. V. S. Sarma

CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute.

[email protected]

Abstract

Identification of the interface between the fresh and saline water is important in coastal

regions as it plays an active role on economical and industrial development of those

regions. Geo-electrical resistivity (GER) methods were suited to delineate the interface

between such boundaries. In these electrical methods, using multi-electrode systems is

another requirement so that sub-surface can be scanned with high accuracy, better

resolution and very significant precision. This is also called as Electrical Resistivity

Imaging (ERI)/ Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). Geophysical imaging is

presently the latest development, being an invasive method, for an exploration

geophysicist to understand the nature of subsurface geological setting and other related

problems. Imaging in geoelectrical methods, in particular, resistivity methods, has been

extensively in use for delineating subsurface structures. The ERI involves measuring a

series of constant separation traverses with the electrode spacing being increased in each

successive traverse. Increasing separations lead to obtaining information from deeper

levels. In electrical resistivity method, we energise the subsurface by sending a known

amount of current (I) in to the sub-surface and measure the response on the ground surface

in the form of voltage (V). Current electrodes are used for exciting the subsurface and

potential electrodes for measuring the response on the surface. Electrical resistance [R] is

calculated (V/I) and apparent resistivities are computed for each electrode configuration

taking into account the geometrical factor of the array, which varies from array to array and

finally an apparent resistivity section can be obtained.

A good variety of electrode configurations or arrays are in use for the purpose of data

acquisition namely Wenner (alpha ,beta and gamma --variations), Schlumberger ,Two-

electrode, Three-electrode, Dipole-Dipole (axial, equatorial, polar, perpendicular, parallel,

azimuthamal etc.) are some. Again, in these arrangements, there are two orientations i.e. in-

line and broad-side . When all the electrodes are (system as a whole) moved from one

observation point to the other maintaining the inter-electrode separation constant, then it is '

resistivity profiling' where sub-surface scanning is possible in horizontal directions only.



Studying the 'lateral in-homogeneities' in the subsurface resistivity is possible with

profiling/mapping. When the electrodes are moved with respect to the 'observation point'

on either side, then it is ' resistivity sounding' where the subsurface scanning is possible

only in vertically downward/depth-wise direction. The depth-wise resistivity changes can

be found out in ' resistivity sounding'. The resistivity response in each case can have

countless variations depending upon type of array, type of profiling, spacing or array

length. Even for a target of specified dimensions, depth , resistivity contrast and for a given

type of array and more of profiling the resistivity response can have wide variety .The

depth of investigation of each array is different and plays a very significant role for

determining the depth of the sub-surface formations.

The horizontal layer (1D case) can be sorted out by resistivity sounding and most of the

groundwater problems come under this category. To tackle the 2D and 3D problems, we

need more intensive data which is possible with multi-electrode resistivity surveying

instruments (Griffiths et al, 1990) ,multi-core cables (Griffiths and Barker,1993) and fast

computer inversion software (Loke, 1994).It is essential to use more than one electrode

configuration so that comparison can be made for efficacy of the arrays. In a 2D subsurface

model, the distribution of resistivity is both in vertical and horizontal directions along with

the traverse line. In this, we assume that there is no resistivity variation in the direction

perpendicular to the traverse line. A 1D resistivity sounding needs observations in 'tens'

whereas 2D imaging surveys need observations in 'hundreds' and 3D surveys needs

observations in 'thousands'. For carrying out 2D /3D imaging survey, the electrodes are to

be planted along with the traverse in selected array type and measurements are done a

sequential pattern changing the inter-electrode spacing in a systematic way, so that the

subsurface is scanned depending upon the penetration of current lines. This entire

measurement procedure will be carried out by the system and the data is stored in the

system itself.

2D imaging data is generally presented in the form of pseudo depth sections. The location

of the plotting point for any symmetric array is the mid point of the system where as it lies

between the current and the next potential electrode for an asymmetric array like three-

electrode. A vertical position of the plotting point is at a position downward that depends

upon the depth of investigation characteristic (DIC) of the array and it size. However, a

resistivity image /pseudo-section gives an approximate picture of the sub-surface

resistivity distribution and works as an initial guide for further quantitative interpretation.

Inversion procedure can be applied for getting an almost true resistivity subsurface

geological setting. This is possible for obtaining 2D/3D section depending upon the

software.



2D resistivity data is interpreted using 2D -Forward modelling software. Apparent

resistivity values are calculated using finite-difference (Day and Morrison, 1979a) or

finite-element (Silvester and Ferrari, 1990) method. This is 2D electrical imaging method.

RES2DINV inversion programme can be applied and this is useful in studying the model

resolution that can be obtained over different structures using various electrode

configurations. RES2DINV will automatically determine a 2D resistivity model for the

subsurface for the data obtained from electrical imaging surveys (Griffiths and Barker,

1993). Software (RES3DINV) is also available for carrying out 3D interpretation where

one can get overall subsurface structure with full precision and accuracy. Further,

whenever the zones are identified, a soft ware 'slicer-dicer' is applied for interpreting the

data so that an in-depth understanding of the sub-surface is possible. The dissected picture

of the interested zone can be studied.

Imaging can be carried out for many purposes like pollution studies, overburden mapping,

civil engineering problems, saline water intrusion studies etc. The resistivity imaging

method can be used for under-water surveys also with special type of sensors. One can

understand the sub-surface stratal architecture with precision and accuracy by carrying out

HERT.A number of field examples have been discussed relating to environment,

geological stratal architecture and fresh water-sea water interface. Extensive field studies

have been carried out between Madras-Mahabalipuram beach transect and Vizag-

Bhimilipatnam beach transect using ERI. In the latter field study, the measurements are

carried out in two different periods ie., pre-monsoon and post monsoon for arriving at

logical conclusions and all the results are discussed.

***

TEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT

ALONG THE KELSHI, PADALE AND ANJARLE BEACHES,

MAHARASHTRA, WEST COAST OF INDIA.

Milind A. Herlekar and Nilesh V. Wavare

Department of Geology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Abstract

Grain size and depositional pattern of sediments from Kelshi, Padale and Anjarle area,

central West coast of Maharashtra have been carried out to evaluate its textural parameters

and statistical measures to depict the depositional environment of sediments in the study



area. Sixty seven representative sediment samples approximately 500 m intervals were

collected in three adjacent beaches namely Kelshi (KB), Padale (PB) and Anjarle (AB).

Grain characteristics such as mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis were estimated using

GRADISTAT program and discussed. The graphic mean values (Mz) ranges from 2.5 to

3.61 of fine sand to very fine sand. The sediment samples at KB and PB were bimodal to

polymodal. The sediment sample at AB unimodal to bimodal. The primary mode was

identified at 2.25 as 70%, 25% and 20% of total samples along KB, PB and AB

respectively. The beaches were characterised as very well sorted, well sorted, moderately

well sorted and moderately sorted sediment environments. The inclusive graphic skewness

of grain size analysis data show that they are negatively skewed and implies that the

sediments are strongly coarsely skewed, fine skewed and nearly symmetrical. The kurtosis

of the sediment shows that they are platykurtic to very platykurtic, very leptokurtic to

leptokurtic. The study shows that the sedimentary environments at Kelshi were influenced

by relatively high wave action compared to Padale and Anjarle beach.

***

STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY OF ROCKY SHORE MAJALI, KARWAR, WEST

COAST OF INDIA.

Swapnil M. Powar and Ulhas G. Naik

Department of studies in Marine Biology Karnatak University P.G. Center

Kodibag Karwar- 581303, Karnataka

Abstract

Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological services and that provide us

food, clothing, housing, medicines and spiritual nourishment. The marine biodiversity is

known to be all of the richest among the all living ecosystems of the world. About 67% of

the world's population resides in the coastal belt and derive food, feed, minerals, chemicals

and energy by harnessing the richness of the ocean. India contains a great wealth of

biological diversity in its forests, its wetlands and in its marine areas.

0 0

Karwar in west coast of India (Lat. 40 50' and long. 74 07'E) has a coastline stretching

from Majali in the North to Amdalli in the South. The present

Abstarcts- Estuaries-Past, Present & Future 2015

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