Sujatha, C H; Aneeshkumar, N; Renjith, K R(August , 2008)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Concentration levels of Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cu in relation
to those of the nutrients - total phosphates, exchangeable
nitrates, total organic carbon, etc. have been
investigated in the sediments of Nagapattinam beach
after the 2004 tsunami. The maximum values in the
study area were 3204, 75, 71, 57 and 18.5 ug g-l for
Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cu respectively; Cd was below detectable
level. All the trace elements were relatively
high in the near-shore sediments and the distribution
pattern of the metals in the study area was in the order:
Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Cu. The present study shows that
the tsunami has brought the clayey sediments from
the sea-bottom that were settled for years together in
inland areas as well as from the offshore sediments.
The event has changed the chemical composition of
the beach sediments and is threatening fishing grounds
even in trace concentrations