Influence of sand bar formation on the water quality of muttukadu backwaters east coast of India

Abstract

Backwaters form a complex tidal impacted estuarine system with newlinetheir associated river systems or land run off form a large part of inshore newlinewaters and influence the hydrography of the coastal waters Backwaters as newlinethe endusers of water of the entire catchment reflect the landuse of the newlinecatchment and are important areas to trap nutrients and other chemical compounds newlinebefore discharge occurs into the adjacent coastal ocean As popular newlineareas for settlements and recreation backwaters have been impacted around newlinethe world Muttukadu Backwater on the east coast of Tamilnadu is one of newlinehealthy estuarine environments in the region A sand bar builds at the mouth newlineof the Muttukadu Backwater creating a physical barrier between the ocean newlineand the backwater at varying times in the year The presence of a sand bar at newlinethe mouth prevents the interaction between sea water and backwater affecting newlineits water quality As per the Costal Regulation Zone of Tamilnadu Muttukadu newlineis categorized as CRZ I ecologically sensitive area Tamilnadu Tourism newlineDevelopment Corporation initiated boating activities and declared it as a newlinetourist spot Small scale fishing and aquaculture farms are also present newlineSeveral salt pans are also located along the backwater The Buckingham newlineCanal originally established for navigation is currently used to collect storm newlinewater to moderate flood during monsoon This canal also carries domestic newlinesewage industrial effluents and hazardous wastes and hence it is highly newlinepolluted Buckingham Canal dissipates the water into the sea through newlineMuttukadu Backwater The present study will form a baseline to determine newlinethe role of sandbar formation at the mouth of Muttukadu Backwater This is newlinean essential step to effectively manage the estuary to ensure its future health newlineand maintain the benefits it provides to the region newlineBased on the various environmetal stress and sand bar formation newlinenear the mouth nine sampling stations is identified in the 20km stretch of newlinestudy area from sea into the Muttukadu Backwaters newline newline