COASTAL POLLUTION – AN INDIAN SCENARIO

The coastal zone is a highly dynamic and productive area. It comprises of coastal land of marine influence and the coastal water influenced by hinterland activities. Ennore and its coastal areas are subjected to severe pollution due to number of industries, thermal power plant and various other activities. The present study involved the collection of surface water, sediment and plankton samples from 10 locations, for a period of 2 years and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and for trace metals. In addition, one-time sampling was done at 4 locations for identifying the Meiofauna population. The samples were analyzed for the following physicochemical parameters, Chlorophyll-a, b, c and Phaeopigrnents. The water and sediment samples were analyzed for trace metals such as Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc. The water samples were enumerated for Phytoplankton and Zooplankton. Meiofauna was identified from the core samples. The nutrient values are generally high in the canal Stations when compared to the coastal Stations. The canal Stations are severely polluted due to heavy organic pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities at these Stations.