A STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF MANAKUDY MANGROVES, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA

V. RAMAMURTHY; R. L. ABHINAND; R. RAJAKUMAR

Volume : V, Issue : VIII, August - 2016

A STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF MANAKUDY MANGROVES, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA

V. Ramamurthy, R. L. Abhinand, R. Rajakumar

Abstract :

The present survey was made to study the some physico–chemical parameters in the water and soil of Manakudy mangroves during the year 2014–2015 at four–seasonal intervals. The water was slightly alkaline and contained high amounts of pH. The concentration of salinity, total, inorganic and organic phosphate, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were fairly stable. Other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, chloride and bicarbonate concentration showed remarkable variations. The mangrove soil was clay in all the seasons. pH and Organic matter level were very low during monsoon and high in summer. The chemical properties of the soils varied considerably among samples particularly in nutrient and iron level. The total amount of N, P, K and organic matter were maximum in the monsoon and minimum in summer season. The micronutrients such as zinc, copper and iron also present in moderate level in all the season. More hardness and alkalinity with sufficient amount of oxidizable organic matter, limited dissolved oxygen content and alkaline pH were probably the factors favouring the growth of living organisms. The study exemplified the fact that the Manakudy mangrove ecosystem is in a good state of health.