Logo image
Back
The seasonal distribution and pollution potential of dissolved heavy metals and nutrients in subterranean estuaries in southern India
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The seasonal distribution and pollution potential of dissolved heavy metals and nutrients in subterranean estuaries in southern India

N.K. Vishnudattan, Douglas R. Tait, S. Bijoy Nandan, E.H. Aravind, D.S. Suresh Babu and P.R. Jayachandran
Marine pollution bulletin, Vol.194(B), 115339
09/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115339
PMID: 37517279

Metrics

80 Record Views
4 Times Cited - Web of Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Source: InCites

Abstract

Groundwater Kerala coast Nutrients SGD Toxic metals
In order to better understand the distribution pattern, pollution degree and the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) of dissolved heavy metals, 15 subterranean estuaries (STEs) along southwest Indian coast were sampled over three contrasting seasons. The average concentration of metals were ranked as, pre-monsoon > monsoon > post-monsoon with 3 to 12-fold higher groundwater metal concentrations than the adjacent seawater. Average SGD derived essential metal fluxes were five times higher than the toxic metal fluxes of which Fe and Zn together contributed >90 %. Using the Single Factor Contamination Index, the majority of sites were minimally contaminated with only two sites indicating moderate ecological risk due to As. Higher fluxes of Fe, Cu and Zn were likely a result of rising anthropogenic activities. The SGD derived nutrient fluxes were an important source of DIP for primary production in coastal waters and represented 30 % and 44 % of the DIN and DIP inputs respectively.

Details

Logo image