Water Resources Organisation Public Works Department

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU WATER RESOURCES ORGANISATION PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GROYNE AT VEMBAR IN VILATHIKULAM TALUK, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

WAPCOS LIMITED (A GOVERNMENT OF INDIA UNDERTAKING)

Flat No: 2C, II nd floor, Jai Durga Apartment, 38/2, First Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083. Tel.: 24710477 / Tel Fax: 044-24714424 E-mail: [email protected] June 2014 Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

CONTENTS

SL.NO DESCRIPTION PAGE NO. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 GENERAL 1 1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1 1.3 NEED FOR THE STUDY 2 1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY 4 1.5 OUTLINE OF THE REPORT 4

CHAPTER-2 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS 2.1 GENERAL 6 2.2 METEOROLOGY 7 2.3 BASIN AND SUB-BASIN 8 2.4 GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOIL TYPES 8 2.5 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY 9 2.6 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY 10 2.7 NOISE ENVIRONMENT 14 2.8 LANDUSE PATTERN 15 2.9 MARINE ECOLOGY 19 2.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 57 CHAPTER 3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

3.1 GENERAL 67 3.2 IMPACT ON PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 67 3.3 IMPACT ON BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 69 3.4 CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY ROAD AND 71 MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES 3.5 IMPACTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 73

CHAPTER-4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

4.1 THE NEED 74 4.2 AREAS OF CONCERN 74 4.3 MARINE WATER & SEDIMENT QUALITY 74 4.4 MONITORING PROGRAM 75 CHAPTER – 5 CONCLUSIONS 77 ANNEXURE I National Ambient Air quality Standards (NAAQS)

ANNEXURE II Ambient noise standards

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

TABLES Table 2.1 Average Meteorological Conditions in the Project Area District Table-2.2 Details of ambient air quality monitoring stations

Table -2.3 Ambient air quality monitoring results at DSF Lodge

Table – 2.4 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near RC St.Thomas Church

Table – 2.5 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near CSI St.Thomas Church

Table – 2.6 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near Antoniyur Temple

Table – 2.7 Ambient air quality status-PM2.5 (Unit: µg/m3)

Table – 2.8 Ambient air quality status – PM10 (Unit: µg/m3)

Table – 2.9 Ambient air quality status – SO2 (Unit:µg/m3)

Table – 2.10 Ambient air quality status – NO2 (Unit : µg/m3)

Table – 2.11 Equivalent noise levels in the study area (Unit: dB(A))

Table – 2.12 Land use/Land Cover of the Study area

Table – 2.13 Sampling locations and its geographical coordinates

Table – 2.14 Physico - Chemical Properties of Water

Table – 2.15 Nutrients in Water

Table – 2.16 pH, Soil Texture, Total organic Carbon of Sediment

Table – 2.17 Chlorophyll a, Phaeo pigments and Total Biomass recorded in Vembar coastal waters

Table – 2.18 Bacterial population recorded in water sample at Vembar coastal waters

Table – 2.19 Bacterial populations recorded in sediment sample at Vembar coastal waters

Table – 2.20 Phytoplankton

Table – 2.21 Zooplankton

Table – 2.22 Macrobenthos

Table – 2.23 Meiobenthos

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Table – 2.24 Demographic profile in the study area villages

Table – 2.25 Distribution of literate and illiterate population in the study area villages

Table – 2.26 Occupational profile in the study area villages

Table – 2.27 Access to educational facility in the study area

Table – 2.28 Access to medical facility in the study area

Table – 2.29 Access to water in the study area villages

Table – 2.30 Access to post, telegraph and telephone facilities in the study area villages

Table – 2.31 Access to Transport facilities in the study area villages

Table – 3.1 Fuel combustion during construction phase

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

FIGURES

Fig.1.1 Proposed location for Groyne with HTL and LTL Fig.1.2 Google image of the study area Fig.2.1 Satellite imagery of the study Area Fig.2.2 Classified image of the study Area Fig.2.3 Map showing the sampling stations

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

The coast along the state of Tamil Nadu is very dynamic in nature due to occurrence of various development activities along the coast, which leads to sea erosion along the coast. Vembar, with geographical coordinates 9°4′34.67″ N and 78°21′29.44″ E is located in Vilathikulam Taluk of Thoothukudi District in Southern Tamilnadu. This area is a sandy beach prone to littoral drift, there has been sever accretion in the mouth of the River Vembar which was being used to anchor the boats of the local fisherfolks that hinders the free movement of fishing boats. To facilitate the smooth movement of fishing vessels, Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu is proposing to construct the Training wall/Groyne at coastal stretch in Vembar

2. NEED OF THE PROJECT

The coast of Tamilnadu, dominated by sandy beaches is dynamic in nature. The manmade activities have accelerated the erosion and accretion along the coastline. Vembar located in the Vilathikulam Taluk of Thoothukudi District of Southern Tamilnadu. Reduction in rainfall has lead to closure of the mouth of the River Vembar which has resulted in the deposition of sediments in the mouth, thereby rendering the estuarine area to remain closed. Vembar, being a fishing hamlet had been using the estuarine area as a safe place to anchor the boats and carry out fishing activities in the sea side. Due to accretion of sediment in the mouth, the fishermen are now forced to anchor their boats in the open seas, which is prone to damage and risks due to high waves and strong winds. Hence it is proposed to construct a Groyne on either side of the River Vembar to keep the mouth open in all seasons.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

During the construction phase there is a possibility of decrease in the benthic faunal assemblages. This will stabilize over a period of time and hence the impact due to construction will be short term. The placement of rock to construct a terminal Groyne would result in a temporary and footprint specific loss of the existing benthic community. The placement of rock may also result in the permanent loss of intertidal and nearshore subtidal habitat; however, this loss may be negligible when compared to the total amount of intertidal habitat within the project area. The loss of these habitats would be replaced by rocky, hardbottom material that would add diversity to the bottom habitat thus providing a new habitat type that can be utilized by certain groups of invertebrates, juvenile/larval fish, and birds. The addition of rocky habitat within a sandy intertidal area is not necessarily a positive benefit, rather a habitat trade-off.

Localized fish abundance and distribution patterns have been significantly associated with the presence of rock Groyne, with greater fish captures and higher species richness at areas nearest Groyne. The presence of rock Groyne may increase the sampling efficiency near these structures, resulting in more abundant and species-rich catches. Alternatively, Groyne habitat may provide a foraging site and shelter for fishes in the surf zone, and is associated with higher fish abundances and species richness than in other surf zone communities. The same sand by-passing action would also affect the by-pass of estuarine dependant larval forms.

4. SHORELINE MONITORING PROGRAM

The monitoring program shall encompass the following surveys

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

 Shoreline and bathymetry Surveys during construction as a part of monitoring surveys  Shoreline Monitoring Surveys after completion of the Groyne for a minimum of 10 years with close intervals of once in 4 months for the first 2 years and once in 6 months in the next 3 years and one time a year for the next 5 years.  Bathymetric survey with single or multi-beam echo sounders once in a year for 5 years  Morphology of emerged and submerged beaches;

5 CONCLUSION

The conclusions of the study are as follows:  The marine water quality and ecology in and around the proposed area for the construction of the groyne is that of any normal coastal environment during the study period with no rare, endangered, threatened marine species were recorded during marine survey.  Regular monitoring of the health of the associated river mouth and its ecosystem of the project area along with the details of sediment erosion and deposition regimes by visual observations and periodic surveys is also recommended.  A single line sea bed level survey along the proposed training wall alignment as proposed need to be carried out prior to the commencement of the work in order to assess the length of the training wall and the depth along the alignment for the proposed length.  During the construction phase If any substantial change in the beach profile is observed a detailed study is recommended and to halt any further construction of the groins.  It is strongly recommended that the construction of all three training walls need to be carried out simultaneously.  If there is any erosion observed in the northern side of G3, a shore line of length 40m needs to be strengthened by construction of seawall to avoid shifting of the river mouth.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

 During field observations it was observed that the shoreline is inaccessible from the landing jetty region by roads. Hence to facilitate the construction of groins a suitable temporary road needs to be laid.  Further based on the magnitude of the construction activities it has been estimated that the benefits derived from the construction of the groynes outweigh the adverse impacts due to the construction.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 GENERAL

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The main objective of the scheme is to provide coastal protection to the Vembar coastal stretch so that sufficient beach width is preserved for berthing of boats and to facilitate safe landing of smaller fishing vessels. This will also serve as an efficient coastal protection measure.

It has been estimated that the net alongshore drift is towards north but of minor in nature. Hence, a 500m long groyne (G1) on the southern side to extend 2m depth is proposed. This would also ensure the protection from south-easterly waves during the south-west monsoon period from May to September. In addition, a groyne of length 200m (G2) is suggested north of G1 at a distance of 400m. In the presence of G1 and G2, a highly tranquil basin would form which will act as coastal protection measure as well as facilitate safer berthing of fishing vessels. It is expected that the shoreline north of G2 might get eroded due to the predicted net northerly littoral sediment drift. In order to also train the existing river mouth and prevent/minimize the sand bar formation, an additional groyne of length 180m

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Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

(G3) is incorporated. The pair of structures G2 and G3 is to be referred to as training walls. Figure 1.1 presents the proposed coastal protection scheme superposed on the bathymetry chart.

1.3 NEED FOR THE STUDY

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Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Fig: 1.1 Proposed location for Groyne with HTL and LTL

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Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Figure 1.2 Google image of the study area

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY The main objective of the EIA study is to assess the positive as well as negative environmental impacts likely to accrue as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project. After identifying the negative impacts, a suitable management plan is to be suggested to ameliorate the adverse impacts. An Environmental Monitoring Programme is also suggested for the parameters which needs frequent observations during project operation phase. Thus, the key objectives of the EIA study are to:

 Ensure sustainable development with minimum environmental degradation;  To prevent long-term environmental negative impacts by incorporating a suitable Environmental Management Plan (EMP);  Suggest an Environmental Monitoring Programme, and  Estimate budgetary requirements for implementation of the EMP and Environmental Monitoring Programme.

1.5 OUTLINE OF THE REPORT

The contents of the EIA report are as follows:

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Chapter- 1: The chapter gives an overview and Project Description, Objectives and need for EIA study etc.

Chapter- 2: This chapter describes the Baseline environmental conditions including physical, biological and socio-economic parameters and infrastructure in the study area.

Chapter- 3: Anticipated positive and negative impacts as a result of the construction and operation and its Management wherever required for the proposed project is discussed in this Chapter

Chapter- 4: This chapter describes the proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme to be implemented.

Chapter- 5: This chapter summarizes the conclusion of the study.

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CHAPTER-2 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS

2.1 GENERAL

The assessment of baseline environmental setting is an essential component of any EIA study. Assessment of environmental impacts due to the proposed construction of Groyne at Vembar requires a comprehensive and scientific consideration of various environmental aspects.

As a part of the EIA study, a large quantum of related secondary data as available with various departments was collected. Field surveys were conducted for primary data generation on various aspects including ambient air quality, noise, marine ecology, etc. The study area for the EIA study lies in a 10 km radius with the proposed project site as the centre .The major portion of the study area is under water. In such setting, impacts likely to accrue as a result of proposed activity are expected to occur more on water front i.e. on marine environment. Thus, as a part of the EIA study, specific emphasis has been accorded to marine environment. As a part of the EIA study, the baseline status has been ascertained for the following aspects:  Meteorology  Oceanography  Ambient air quality  Noise levels  Landuse pattern  Marine Water quality  Marine Sediment quality  Marine Ecology  Demography and Socio-economics

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2.2 METEOROLOGY The project area has four distinct seasons. The period from March to May comprises the summer season and in subsequent months from June to September, the area comes under the influence of south-west monsoons. The months of October to December, experience the north-east monsoon season, while the area experiences a mild winter season which lasts from January and February.

Temperature

Large scale variations in temperature in various seasons are not observed in the area. The month of May and June is the hottest month of the year with mean monthly maximum temperature being 33.9°C. The month of January, is the coolest month with a monthly minimum temperature of 20.9ºC.

Rainfall

The average annual rainfall in the project area district is 801 mm to 1000 mm. Most of the rainfall is received in the months from October to December under the influence of north-east monsoon.

Humidity

The humidity is generally high throughout the year. During monsoon months i.e. November to February, humidity ranges from 80% to 85%. During rest of the year, humidity, varies from 72% to 77%. The average humidity observed over the year is 77%.

The average meteorological conditions of the project area district are outlined in Table-2.1.

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TABLE-2.1 AVERAGE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE PROJECT AREA DISTRICT Temperature (oC) Rainfall (mm) Relative S.No. Month Max. Min. Humidity (%) 1. January 28.9 20.9 23.8 81 2. February 29.7 21.6 0.1 80 3. March 32.6 24.9 86.5 76 4. April 33.7 26.8 22.4 77 5. May 33.9 27.5 10.8 74 6. June 33.9 26.5 2.3 75 7. July 33.0 25.3 48.4 75 8. August 33.7 24.9 12.9 72 9. September 33.1 24.6 51.7 77 10. October 30.2 25.3 267.0 77 11. November 28.7 22.5 254.0 85 12. December 29.4 24.7 244.2 81

2.3 BASIN AND SUB-BASIN

The project area District is part of the composite East flowing river basin between Gundar and Nambiyar as per the Irrigation Atlas of India. Nambiyar, Thamiraparani, Kallar, Vaippar and Gundar are the important sub basins.

Drainage

The river originating from the Western Ghats and Tamil Nadu uplands control the drainage network of the district. A few streams originate in the hillocks within the District and confluences directly with the sea after flowing 10 to 20 km. Vaipar, Thamiraparani and Karamanaiyar are the major rivers draining the district. All the rivers are ephemeral in nature and run off is generated in heavy rainfall period only.

2.4 GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOIL TYPES

Geomorphology

The prominent geomorphic units identified in the project area district are Fluvial, Marine, Fluvio-marine, Aeolian and Erosional landforms depending on the environment of formation. Taruvaikulam- Tuticorin surface, Kulattur surface, Vaippar surface, Nagalapuram-Vedanattham surface and Volinokkam-Vembar

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surface are some of the erosional geomorphic units in the northern part of the district.

Karamaniyar surface, Tambraparni surface, Tiruchendur-Kayalpattinam surface and Vallanadu surface are the geomorphic units in the southern part of the District. The number of red sandy tracts formed of the sand dunes locally known as Teri sand complex are the important feature in the coast. These Teri sands extend in width from 6 to 8 km from the coast. Adaippanvilai Teri, Kudiraimozhi Teri and Vaippar-Vembar Teri are some of the important Teri areas, which are having elevation in the range of 15 to 62m above MSL.

Soils

The project area district is covered by Black Cotton soil in the west with isolated red soil patches in high ground and sandy soil in the coastal tract. Alluvial soil is restricted to river flood plain and coastal area. Alkaline and saline soils are also observed in certain places.

2.5 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

Tides

The tides in project area are semi-diurnal in nature i.e. occurrence of two high and two low waters every day. The mean tidal range at Project area District (nearest to the project site) is of the order of 0.3 m to 1.0 m at spring and between 0.5 m to 0.70 m at neap tides. The tidal level information from the hydrographic chart of Geodetic and Research branch, Survey of India is as below, (w.r.t. Chart Datum)

Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) + 1.00 m Mean High Water Neap (MHWN) + 0.70 m Mean Sea Level (MSL) + 0.60 m Mean Low Water Neap (MLWN) +0.50 m Mean Low Water Spring (MLWS) +0.30 m

Waves

The wave climate observed at the nearest observation point revealed that the most frequently occurring wave height was about 1.5m during the months of

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January and November. It was also observed that the most frequently occurring wave height was 1.0m during the months of February to May and October to December. The most frequently occurring wave height was 2m during the months of June to September.

Current

The variation of current speed and direction at surface, mid depth and bottom at the nearest observed area reached upto 0.33 m/s, 0.33 m/s and 0.30 m/s respectively. The current direction at surface showed inconsistent direction with the tidal phase indicating that the currents are dominated by seasonal wind than the tide.

2.6 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

The ambient air quality was monitored as a part of the EIA study. The ambient air quality monitoring has been carried out with a frequency of two samples per week at four locations in the month of December, 2013 – January, 2014. The parameters monitored as a part of the study are listed as below:

 Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5)

 Particulate Matter less than 10 microns (PM10)

 Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The ambient air quality monitoring stations covered as a part of EIA study are given in Table 2.2

TABLE-2.2 Details of ambient air quality monitoring stations Stations Location AAQ-1 DSF Lodge AAQ-2 RC St.Thomas Church AAQ-3 CSI St.Thomas Church AAQ-4 Antoniyur Temple

The results of ambient air quality survey conducted during the period of February, 2014 – March, 2014 is given in Table-2.3 to Table-2.6. The ambient air quality standards are enclosed as Annexure-I.

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TABLE-2.3 Ambient air quality monitoring results at DSF Lodge Parameters monitored

S.NO Sampling Date SO2 NO2 PM10 PM2.5 (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) 1 27-28.02.2014 12 28.6 61 31 2 03-04.03.2014 13 31.0 66 34 3 06-07.03.2014 11.6 27.6 59 30 4 09-10.03.2014 12.4 29.5 63 32 5 12-13.03.2014 13.5 28.7 61 30 6 15-16.03.2014 12.8 27.2 58 29 7 18-19.03.2014 12 25.5 54 27 8 21-22.03.2014 11.2 23.8 51 25

TABLE-2.4 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near RC St.Thomas Church Parameters monitored

S.NO Sampling Date SO2 NO2 PM10 PM 2.5 (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) 1 27-28.02.2014 9.5 18.3 45 21 2 03-04.03.2014 10 19.2 47 22 3 06-07.03.2014 9 17.3 42 20 4 09-10.03.2014 10.5 20.2 49 23 5 12-13.03.2014 10 17.9 44 21 6 15-16.03.2014 11 19.6 48 23 7 18-19.03.2014 9.8 17.5 43 20 8 21-22.03.2014 9 16.1 39 19

TABLE-2.5 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near CSI St.Thomas Church Parameters monitored

S.NO Sampling Date SO2 NO2 PM10 PM 2.5 (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) 1 02-03.03.2014 9.2 14.6 37 16

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2 05-06.03.2014 10 15.9 40 17 3 08-09.03.2014 8.7 13.8 35 15 4 11-12.03.2014 9.5 15.1 38 16 5 14-15.03.2014 9.2 13.3 33 14 6 17-18.03.2014 9.5 13.8 34 15 7 20-21.03.2014 10 14.5 36 17 8 24-25.03.2014 12 17.4 43 20

TABLE-2.6 Ambient air quality monitoring results Near Antoniyur Temple Parameters monitored

S.NO Sampling Date SO2 NO2 PM10 PM 2.5 (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) (μg/m3) 1 02-03.03.2014 8.7 15.3 35 13 2 05-06.03.2014 9.5 16.7 39 15 3 08-09.03.2014 8 14.0 33 12 4 11-12.03.2014 9 15.8 37 14 5 14-15.03.2014 8.5 14.4 34 13 6 17-18.03.2014 10.3 17.5 41 15 7 20-21.03.2014 11 18.6 43 16 8 24-25.03.2014 9.5 16.1 37 14

Observations on PM2.5 levels

The summary of ambient PM2.5 levels observed is given in Table-2.7.

TABLE-2.7 3 Ambient air quality status-PM2.5 (Unit: µg/m ) Station Maximum Minimum Average DSF Lodge 34 25 29.7

RC St.Thomas Church 23 19 21.1

CSI St.Thomas Church 20 14 16.2

Antoniyur Temple 16 12 14

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It is observed from Table-2.7 that the average concentration of PM2.5 at various stations ranged from 23.3 to 12.5 g/m3 which is well below the prescribed limit of 60 g/m3.

Observations on ambient PM10 level

The summary of ambient PM10 levels observed is given in Table-2.8.

TABLE-2.8 3 Ambient air quality status – PM10 (Unit: µg/m ) Station Maximum Minimum Average

DSF Lodge 66 51 59.1

RC St.Thomas Church 49 39 44.6

CSI St.Thomas Church 43 33 37.0

Antoniyur Temple 43 33 37.4

It is observed from Table-2.8 that the average concentration of PM10 at various stations ranged from 54.0 to 29.3 g/m3 which is below the prescribed limit of 100 g/m3.

Observations on ambient SO2 levels

The summary of ambient SO2 level as monitored during field studies is given in Table-2.9.

TABLE-2.9 3 Ambient air quality status – SO2 (Unit:µg/m )

Station Maximum Minimum Average

DSF Lodge 13.5 11.2 12.3

RC St.Thomas Church 11 9 9.9

CSI St.Thomas Church 12 8.7 9.8

Antoniyur Temple 11 8 9.3

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It is observed from Table-2.9 that, the average concentration of SO2 at various

stations in the study area is well below the prescribed limits. The highest SO2 concentration of 10.2 µg/m3 is observed at station in DSF Lodge.

Observations on ambient NO2 levels

The summary of ambient NO2 levels is given in Table-2.10.

TABLE-2.10 3 Ambient air quality status – NO2 (Unit : µg/m )

Station Maximum Minimum Average

DSF Lodge 31 23.8 27.7

RC St.Thomas Church 20.2 16.1 18.3

CSI St.Thomas Church 17.4 13.3 14.8

Antoniyur Temple 18.6 14 16.1

It can be seen from Table-2.10 that during the study period, the average NO2 concentration at all the four sampling stations is well below the prescribed 3 limit. The highest NO2 concentration of 19.0 µg/m was observed at station at DSF Lodge.

2.7 NOISE ENVIRONMENT Baseline noise data has been measured using ‘A’ weighted sound pressure level meter. The survey was carried out in calm surroundings. Sound Pressure Level (SPL) measurement in the outside environment was made using sound pressure level meter. Hourly noise meter readings were taken at each site, and equivalent day time and night time noise levels were estimated. The day time and night time noise levels are presented in Table-2.11. The ambient noise standards are enclosed as Annexure - 2.

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TABLE- 2.11 Equivalent noise levels in the study area (Unit: dB(A))

Location Leq(day) Leq(night)

DSF Lodge 48.0 42.0 RC St.Thomas Church 47.0 40.0 CSI St.Thomas Church 46.0 40.0 Antoniyur Temple 46.0 40.0

It may be seen from the Table-2.11 that the day time equivalent noise level ranged from a minimum of 46.0 dB(A) to a maximum of 48.0 dB(A). The night time equivalent noise level ranged from a minimum of 40.0 dB(A) to a maximum of 42.0 dB(A). The day and night time equivalent noise level at various sites located close to residential areas was compared with Ambient Noise Standards (Refer Annexure- 2).

2.8 LANDUSE PATTERN

The landuse pattern of the study area, i.e. the area within 10 km radius of the project site has been studied using satellite data for the study area. The IRS, 1C-LISS III digital satellite data has been procured from National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad for assessing the landuse pattern of the study area. The raw satellite imagery has been processed in-house using ERDAS IMAGINE software. The signals of satellite imagery were verified by performing ground truthing and then final classification of satellite imagery was done. Based on this classification the landuse pattern of the study area was obtained. The raw and classified imagery of the study area is shown in Figure 2.1. and 2.2 respectively. The landuse pattern of the study area based on the satellite data is given in Table-2.12.

TABLE-2.12 Land use/Land Cover of the Study area Type Area (ha) 10 km Area (%) Water Body 15493 49.30 Water Logged Area 48 0.15 Salt Pans 465 1.48 Scrub 5308 16.89

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Settlement 216 0.69 Agricultural Land 3882 12.35 Vegetation 6016 19.14 Total 31428 100.00

It is observed from Table-2.12, that the water bodies account for the major portion of the study area, i.e. 49.30%. The other dominant landuse category is the area scrub and vegetation, which accounts for about 16.89% and 19.14 respectively of the total study area. Area covered under agriculture is 12.35% and under salt pans is about 1.48% settlement and water logged area is 0.69 and 0.15% respectively.

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Figure-2.1 Satellite imagery of the study Area

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Figure-2.2 Classified image of the study Area

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2.9 MARINE ECOLOGY

As a part of the EIA study, detailed marine ecological survey was conducted by the Centre for Advance study in Marine Biology (CASMB), Annamalai University to establish the existing status of the marine water in and around the proposed project site.

Preamble

Vembar, a coastal town, is located in Tuticorin district of Tamilnadu State falling in the GPS coordinates between 09°04'34.89"N and 78°22'18.69"E. The nature of the study area is observed to be sandy beach, which is connected to a well- defined backwater system. A large number of Saltpans were found on both the banks of the Vembar River and in some area is found to be barren with “shrubs and bushes”. The coastal stretch of Vembar estuary is a small estuarine system, wherein the river flow is seasonal and the influx of sea water is often restricted by the sandy marine beach. The elevation of the study area ranges from 4 to 7 meters from mean sea level. A survey for assessing the present status of the environment and to ascertain the possible impacts on the marine biota was conducted on 2nd and 3rd of April 2014. Marine water (surface and sub-surface), sediment and biological samples were collected from 5 different stations in the Vembar coastal waters covering an area of approximately 3km stretch. The geographical locations of the each sampling station are shown in Fig. 2.3 and the following Plates.

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Fig.2.3 Map showing the sampling stations

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Vembar Sea shore

Mouth of Vembar River

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Vembar river during low-tide

Trawlers and FRB boat involved in fishing activity

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Sediment collected using Van veen Grab

The Geographical location of the sampling stations are give in Table.2.13

TABLE 2.13.

SAMPLING LOCATIONS AND ITS GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES

S. St. Depth Date Time Latitude Longitude No. Code (m)

1 VEM-1 02.04.2014 8.05 7.7 9° 4'18.64"N 78°22'0.52"E

2 VEM-2 02.04.2014 8.2 7.5 9° 4'24.66"N 78°22'7.02"E

3 VEM-3 02.04.2014 8.35 6.8 9° 4'30.44"N 78°22'13.76"E

4 VEM-4 02.04.2014 8.5 7.2 9° 4'34.89"N 78°22'18.69"E

5 VEM-5 02.04.2014 9 7.6 9° 4'41.89"N 78°22'26.47"E

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Water and Sediment Sampling

Water samples were collected using Universal water sampler below the surface and transferred to the pre-cleaned polypropylene and glass containers. Sediment samples were collected using a Van veen Grab, transferred to clean polythene bags and transported to the laboratory. The samples were air-dried and the plant root and other debris were removed and stored for further analysis.

Water Analysis

Temperature, Salinity and pH:

The physical parameters such as temperature, salinity and pH were measured in-situ in the field. The subsurface temperature was measured with a mercury thermometer (0.02C accuracy) and the pH was measured by a calibrated pH pen (pH ep-3 model). Salinity was estimated using a Hand Refractometer (Erma Company, Japan). Water samples collected for dissolved oxygen estimation were transferred carefully to BOD bottles. The DO was immediately fixed and brought to the laboratory for further analysis.

Preservation and Laboratory Analysis:

After collection, the samples were immediately cooled to 4C and then brought to the laboratory in an insulated ice box. In the laboratory, water samples were filtered through Whatman GF/C filter paper and analysed for organic matter and other nutrients. Unfiltered samples were used for the estimation of total nitrogen and total phosphorus. All the analyses were carried out by adopting Standard procedures for samples of aquatic origin. Briefly, the methodology for each analysis is given below:

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Dissolved Oxygen:

The modified Winkler’s method as described by Strickland and Parsons (1972) was adopted for the estimation of dissolved oxygen. The values are expressed in mg/l.

Nitrate and Nitrite:

The nitrate and nitrite content of samples were analysed by following the method described by Strickland and Parsons (1972). The nitrite was estimated from highly coloured azo dye formed by the addition of N (1-Napthyl) ethylene diaminedihydro-chloride and sulfanilamide into the solution was then measured at 543 nm in a spectrophotometer. The same procedure was followed for the estimation of nitrate. For this, nitrate was reduced to nitrite by passing the sample through copper coated cadmium column. The calculated values are expressed in mol of Nitrogen/l

Inorganic Phosphate:

The single solution mixed reagent procedure developed by Murphy and Riley (1962) was followed for the estimation of dissolved inorganic phosphate levels in water samples. This involves the conversion of phosphate into phosphomolybdic acid, which was then reduced to molybdenum blue colour complexes and then the intensity of colour was measured at 882 nm in a spectrophotometer. The calculated values are expressed in µmol of Phosphorus/l.

Total Phosphorus:

The Total Phosphate in samples was estimated by adopting the method described by Menzel and Corwin (1964). This procedure involves the conversion of organically bound phosphate into inorganic phosphate by wet oxidation of samples with potassium persulphate in an autoclave for 30 min at 15 lbs pressure. The converted inorganic phosphate was then estimated by

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using the method described by Murphy and Riley (1962). The subtraction of original dissolved inorganic phosphate from total phosphate yielded the organic phosphate in the water sample. The calculated value is expressed in µmol of Phosphorus/l.

Reactive Silicate:

The reactive silicate content of water was estimated by following the method of Strickland and Parsons (1972). In this method, the intensity of blue color formed by silico-molybdate complex was measured in a spectrophotometer at 810 nm and the calculated values are expressed in µmol of Silica/l

SEDIMENT ANALYSIS

For the analysis of textural composition and pH, the air-dried sediment samples were used as such. For all other analyses of organic matter, sediment samples were ground to fine powder and dried in an oven at 110C to constant weight for an hour.

Total Organic Carbon:

The estimation of total organic carbon in sediment was performed by adopting the method of El Wakeel and Riley (1956). The procedure involves chromic acid digestion and subsequent titration against Ferrous ammonium sulphate solution in the presence of 1-10 phenonthroline indicator. The values calculated are expressed in mg C/g of sediment.

Bacteriological Methods

Collection of samples:

Surface water samples were collected in 30ml sterile screw capped bottles for bacteriological assessment. Enough air space was left in the bottles to allow thorough mixing. Precautionary measures were taken to avoid contamination through handling. For microbial assessment in sediment samples, a known quantity of samples was collected from the grab samples using sterilised spatula. The central portion of the collected sediment was aseptically

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transferred into sterile polyethylene bags. All the samples were brought to the laboratory in portable icebox soon after collection and bacteriological analyses were carried out in the laboratory at CAS immediately, with necessary dilution.

Enumeration of Total Viable Counts:

TVC was enumerated by adopting the spread plate method using Zobell’s Marine Agar medium (EA123, Hi-Media, Mumbai). The samples (water and sediment) were diluted using the sterile sea water and 0.1 ml of the diluted sample was pippeted into the petriplates containing Zobell’s Marine Agar and it was spread using a ‘L’ shaped glass spreader. The plates after inoculation were incubated in an inverted position at a temperature of 28+2°C for 24to 48 h. The colonies were counted and the population density expressed as Colony Forming Unit (CFU) per ml or g of the sample. The bacterial colonies were picked up from the pertidishes and re-streaked in appropriate nutrient agar plates thrice before a pure culture was established in agar slants.

Enumeration of Total Coliforms:

Macconkey agar with 0.15% bile salt, crystal violet and NaCl has been recommended in accordance with USP/Nfxi (1) for the detection, isolation and enumeration of coliforms and intestinal pathogens in water, dairy products, pharmaceutical preparations, etc. The agar weighing 51.5 g in 1000 ml distilled water was heated up to the boiling point to dissolve the medium completely and sterilized by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 min. suitably diluted samples were inoculated in the petriplates containing medium and were incubated for 48 h. After incubation, the colonies of E. coli appeared with pink color.

M-FC agar is employed for detection and enumeration Faecal Coliforms by the membrane filter technique at higher temperature (44.5°C). The agar weighing 52 g was suspended in 1000 ml of distilled water and heated up to the boiling point to dissolve the medium completely, 10ml of Rosolic acid (dissolved in 0.2 N NaOH) was added, heated with frequent agitation and boiled for 1 min. Then the medium was cooled to 50°C. Finally, the medium was poured into small

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60mm plates. Samples filtered by Millipore apparatus using 0.45µm Whatman filter papers were impregnated in the petriplates. After 48 h of incubation, the colonies of E. coli appeared with blue colour.

Chlorophyll `a':

The samples were filtered through Whatman GF/C filter papers and the chlorophyll was extracted into 90% acetone. The resulting colored acetone extract was measured in a spectrophotometer at different wavelengths and the same acetone extracts were acidified and measured for the phaeo-pigments. The detailed methodology as described in APHA manual (1989) was followed.

Phytoplankton:

Phytoplankton samples were collected from the surface waters of the study areas by towing a plankton net (mouth diameter 0.35 m) made of bolting silk [No.30 mesh size 48 µm) for half an hour. These samples were preserved in 5% neutralized formalin and used for qualitative analysis. For the quantitative analysis of phytoplankton, the settling method as described by Sukhanovo (1978) was adopted. Numerical plankton analysis was carried out using Utermohl's inverted plankton microscope.

Phytoplankton species was identified using the standard works of Hustedt (1930-1966), Venkataraman (1939), Cupp (1943), Subramanian (1946), Prescott (1954), Desikachary (1959 and 1987), Hendey (1964), Steidinger and Williams (1970) and Taylor (1976) and Anandet et.al. (1986)

Zooplankton:

Zooplankton samples were collected from the surface waters of the study areas by horizontal towing of a plankton net with mouth diameter of 0.35 m, made of bolting silk (No. 70 mesh size 200 µm) for half an hour. After collection, the samples were preserved in 5% neutralized formalin and used for quantitative analysis. The zooplankton collected were identified to the species level using the classical works of Dakin and Colefax (1940), Davis (1955), Kasthurirangan (1963) and Wickstead (1965) and DamodaraNaidu (1981). For the quantitative analysis of zooplankton, a known quantity of water (100 l) was filtered through a

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bag net (0.33 mm mesh size) and filtrate was made up to 1 litre in a wide mouthbottle and then enumerated using Utermohl’s inverted plankton microscope. The plankton density is expressed as number of organisms/m3.

Benthic Community:

For studying the benthic organisms, sediment samples were collected using a Van veen grab which covered an area of 0.1m2. The wet sediment was sieved with varying mesh sizes for segregating the organisms. The organisms retained in the sieve were fixed in 5-7% formalin and stained further with Rose Bengal solution for easy spotting at the time of sorting. After a day or two, the organisms were sorted into various groups. The number of organisms in each grab sample was expressed as number per meter square. According to size, benthic animals are divided into three groups. (i) macrobenthos (ii) meiobenthos and (iii) microbenthos (Mare, 1942). All the species were sorted, enumerated and identified to the advanced level possible with the consultation of available literature. The works of Fauvel (1953), Day (1967) were referred for polychaetes; Barnes (1980) and Lyla et al. (1999) for crustaceans; Subba Rao et al. (1991) and Ramakrishna (2003) for molluscs.

RESULTS

WATER QUALITY

Depth

The depth in the study area varied between 6.8 and 7.7m with maximum was at VEM-1 and minimum at VEM-3 (Fig.2.5).

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Fig. 2.5. Depth recorded at various stations of Vembar coastalwaters

Water Temperature

The water temperature fluctuated from 19 to 23°C. The maximum was recorded at VEM-5 and minimum was at VEM-1-ss (Fig.2.6).

Fig. 2.6. Water temperature recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Salinity

The water salinity varied from 34 to 36psu. The salinity was found to be higher at VEM-5 and lower at VEM-1-ss (Fig.2.7).

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Fig. 2.7. Salinity recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

The water pH varied between 8.05 and 8.3 with maximum was recorded at VEM-5 and minimum was recorded at VEM-1-ss (Fig.2.8).

Fig. 2.8. Water pH recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

The Total Suspended solids values ranged between 46.4 and 101.2ppm. The maximum was recorded at VEM-5and minimum was recorded at VEM-1(Fig. 2.9).

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Fig. 2.9. Total suspended solids recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Turbidity

The turbidity values were between 3.9 and 13.6 NTU. The maximum level was at VEM-3-ss while the minimum level was atVEM-5-ss (Fig. 2.10).

Fig. 2.10. Turbidity recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Dissolved oxygen

The Dissolved Oxygen level in the water varied between 3.6 and 5.0 mg/l. The higher level was recorded at VEM-4-ss and lower value at VEM-3-ss (Fig. 2.11).

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Fig. 2.11. Dissolved oxygen recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Biological Oxygen Demand

The BOD values varied between 0.524 and 0.96mg/l with maximum value was recorded at VEM-3 and minimum at VEM-2(Fig. 2.12).

Fig. 2.12. Biological oxygen demand recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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TABLE– 2.14 PHYSICO - CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER

Water Salinity DO BOD TSS Turbidity St. Code Tem. pH (psu) (mg/l) (mg/l) (ppm) (NTU) (°C)

VEM-1 21 35.2 8.1 3.8 0.58 46.4 8.6 VEM-1-SS 19 34 8.05 4.2 0.62 56.4 5.3 VEM-2 21 34.5 8.24 4.5 0.524 97.2 7.9 VEM-2-SS 20 34 8.1 3.9 0.685 74.8 4.6 VEM-3 22 35 8.2 4.2 0.96 99.6 5.2 VEM-3-SS 21 34.2 8.1 3.6 0.592 90 13.6 VEM-4 21 35.5 8.24 4.5 0.848 68.4 4.8 VEM-4-SS 20 35 8.18 5.0 0.685 97.6 13.2 VEM-5 23 36 8.3 4.7 0.592 101.2 12.3 VEM-5-SS 21 35.6 8.25 4.9 0.651 69.6 3.9

Nutrients

The life supporting processes in the sea requires an array of inorganic substances, of which the role of nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon are considered to be very vital in marine ecosystem. Among the nitrogenous compounds, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia are the major constituents, which play a key role in the growth and proliferation of phytoplankton

Nitrite

The nitrite level varied from 0.056 to 0.598 µmol/l with maximum was recorded at VEM-4 and minimum was recorded at VEM-1(Fig. 2.13).

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Fig. 2.13. Nitrite recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Nitrate

Nitrate concentration ranged between 6.5 and 12.6µmol/l with maximum was recorded at VEM-5-ss and minimum at VEM-1 (Fig. 2.14).

Fig. 2.14. Nitrate recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Ammonical Nitrogen

The ammonia concentration varied from 0.017 to 0.158µmol/l. The maximum concentration (0.158 µmol/l) was recorded at VEM-2 and minimum (0.017 µmol/l) was at VEM-1-ss (Fig. 2.15).

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Fig. 2.15. Ammonical nitrogen recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Total Nitrogen

The Total nitrogen values ranged from 14.56to 22.45µmol/l. The maximum concentration was found at VEM-5-ss and minimum at VEM-1 (Fig. 2.16).

Fig. 2.16. Total nitrogen recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Total Phosphorus

The Total phosphorus values ranged from 1.2 to 1.9µmol/l with maximum was recorded at VEM-3 and minimum value was recorded at VEM-5-ss(Fig. 2.17).

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Fig. 2.17. Total phosphorous recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Inorganic Phosphate

The inorganic phosphate values ranged between 0.432 and 1.098µmol/l with maximum value was recorded at VEM-2-ss and minimum at VEM-5-ss (Fig. 2.18).

Fig. 2.18. Inorganic phosphorous recorded at various stations of Vembar coastalwaters

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Reactive Silicate

The silicate values ranged between 8.2 and 11.2µmol/l. The maximum (11.2µmol/l) and minimum (8.2µmol/l) values were recorded at VEM-5-ss and VEM-4-ss respectively (Fig. 2.19).

Fig. 2.19. Reactive silicate levels recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Particulate organic Carbon

The particulate organic carbon level ranged between 22 and 41.2µgc/l with maximum (41.2µgc/l) at VEM-3-ss and low (22µgC/l) at VEM-1-ss (Fig. 2.20).

Fig. 2.20. Particulate organic carbon levels recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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TABLE -2.15. NUTRIENTS IN WATER

NO NO NH TN TP IP SiO POC St. Code 2 3 4 4 (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µmol/l) (µgC/l)

9.1 22.0 VEM-1 0.056 6.5 0.058 14.56 1.5 0.689 9.6 24.6 VEM-1-SS 0.069 11.5 0.017 15.43 1.5 0.789 10.5 26.3 VEM-2 0.245 8.7 0.158 17.78 1.3 0.865 10.9 28.7 VEM-2-SS 0.153 8.6 0.075 20.34 1.6 1.098 9.8 31.2 VEM-3 0.134 9.4 0.091 21.00 1.9 0.786 10.3 41.2 VEM-3-SS 0.178 10.5 0.118 18.33 1.3 0.789 8.2 35.4 VEM-4 0.589 10.8 0.129 20.34 1.5 0.546 8.5 37.7 VEM-4-SS 0.421 11.8 0.094 17.45 1.8 0.782 10.6 34.2 VEM-5 0.364 9.1 0.068 20.34 1.7 0.697 11.2 31.6 VEM-5-SS 0.172 12.6 0.083 22.45 1.2 0.432

SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS

SEDIMENT PH The soil pH showed maximum (8.4) at VEM-5 and minimum (8.24)value at stationVEM-1(Fig. 2.21).

Fig. 2.21. Soil pH recorded at various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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Soil Texture

The sand content varied from 54.86 to 67.72 % with maximum value at VEM- 1 and the minimum atVEM-5; maximum silt content (41.08%)was found to be at VEM-5 and minimum (28.41 %) at VEM-1 and the maximum clay (6.86%) was found to be at VEM-2 and minimum (3.87%) at VEM-1 (Fig. 2.22).

Fig . 2.22. Variations in soil texture recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal Waters Total organic Carbon

The total organic carbon ranged between 3.6 and 6.1mgC/g. The maximum level (6.1 mgC/g) was found at VEM-5 and low (3.6 mgC/g)at VEM-3(Fig. 2.23).

Fig . 2.23. Total organic carbon recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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TABLE– 2.16. pH, SOIL TEXTURE, TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON OF SEDIMENT Sediment Sand Silt Clay TOC St. Code pH (%) (%) (%) (mgC/g)

VEM-1 8.24 67.72 28.41 3.87 5.0 VEM-2 8.31 56.03 37.1 6.86 5.8 VEM-3 8.25 62.02 31.81 6.18 3.6 VEM-4 8.29 59.2 36.11 4.69 4.0 VEM-5 8.4 54.86 41.08 4.06 6.1

CHLOROPHYLL

In the present study, the chlorophyll ‘a’ in water sample varied from0.146 to 0.394 mg/m3 with maximum at VEM-3-ss and minimum at VEM-2-ss. The Phaeopigments content varied from 0.187 to 2.964 mg/m3 with maximum was observed in VEM-5-ss and minimum in VEM-4-ss. The total biomass varied from 17.404 to 23.882ml/100m3with maximum was observed in VEM-5 and minimum in VEM-5-ss.

Table 2.17 Chlorophyll a, Phaeo pigments and Total Biomass recorded in Vembar coastal waters Stations Chl-a (mg/ Phaeo pigments Total Biomass m3) (mg/ m3) (ml/100 m3) VEM-1 0.261 2.163 21.915 VEM-1-SS 0.249 1.175 19.155 VEM-2 0.161 1.709 20.031 VEM-2-SS 0.146 1.442 18.618 VEM-3 0.233 2.163 23.648 VEM-3-SS 0.394 1.362 21.648 VEM-4 0.393 1.629 22.662 VEM-4-SS 0.293 0.187 19.692 VEM-5 0.148 2.056 23.882 VEM-5-SS 0.247 2.964 17.404

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MICROBES

Water sample

The E. coli bacteria in water sample varied between 10 and 24x104 CFU/ml with maximum at VEM-1 and minimum at VEM-5. Faecal coliform varied from 7 to 15x103 CFU/ml with maximum at VEM-1 and the minimum was recorded at VEM-2. The Total Coliform varied between 5 and 18x104 with maximum at VEM-2 and minimum at VEM-5. Total Viable Count (TVC) varied from 7 to 18x105 with maximum at VEM-4 and minimum at VEM-3 of water sample collected at Vembar coastal waters.

Table 2.18 Bacterial population recorded in water sample at Vembar coastal waters

Station Faecal Total E. coli TVC No. Coliform Coliform 4 3 4 5 VEM-1 24x10 15x10 15x10 12x10 4 3 4 5 VEM-2 15x10 07x10 18x10 14x10 4 3 4 5 VEM-3 12x10 10x10 10x10 07x10 4 3 4 5 VEM-4 22x10 10x10 12x10 18x10 4 3 4 5 VEM-5 10x10 11x10 05x10 08x10 Sediment sample

The Escherichia coli in sediment sample varied between 14 and 28x104 CFU/ml with maximum at VEM-1 and minimum at VEM-4 during the sample collection. Faecal coliform varied from 8 to 16x103 CFU/ml with maximum at VEM-3 and the minimum was recorded at VEM-2. The Total Coliform varied between 12 and 20x104 with maximum at VEM-2 and minimum at VEM-3. The Total Viable Count (TVC) varied from 11 to 23x105 with maximum at VEM-3 and minimum at VEM-4 of water sample collected at Vembar coastal waters.

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Table 2.19 Bacterial populations recorded in sediment sample at Vembar coastal waters Faecal Total Station E. coli Coli Coli TVC No form form VEM-1 28x104 15x103 16x104 18x105 VEM-2 15x104 08x103 20x104 12x105 VEM-3 21x104 16x103 12x104 23x105 VEM-4 14x104 10x103 14x104 11x105 VEM-5 18x104 13x103 13x104 16x105

PLANKTON

Phytoplankton

In the present investigation, three groups of phytoplankton species namely diatoms, dinoflagellates and Blue greens were recorded. Of these, diatoms were found to be the dominant group with 32 species, dinoflagellates formed next dominant group with 4 species and blue greens came last in the order with 2 species in all the stations.

Among the diatoms, species such as Coscinodiscus centralis, C. granii, Chaetoceros affinis, Cerataulina sp. Leptocylindrus danicus, Skeletonema costatum, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Triceratium favus, Cyclotellasp. Nitzschia sp. Odentella mobilensisandPleurosigma normanii, were found to be the common in all the stations. Coming to dinoflagellates, Ceratium furca and C. tripos andin blue green algae Spirulina sp. and Trichodesmium erythraeumwere showing consistency in their occurrence in the samples collected in different stations of Vembar coastal waters. TABLE-2.20. PHYTOPLANKTON Phytoplankton Nos/l Blue greens VEM-1 VEM-2 VEM-3 VEM-4 VEM-5 Spirulina sp. * 210 45 90 * Tricodesmium erythraeum 165 84 * 45 195

Diatoms Asterionella japonica 285 105 75 90 15

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Bacillaria paradoxa 18 * 180 125 105 Bellerochea malleus 225 60 45 135 180 Cerataulina orientalis 75 105 75 180 180 Chaetoceros affinis 75 195 * 60 255 Chaetoceros indicus 150 * * 75 * Chaetoceros curvisetus 350 * 65 120 220 Coscinodiscus centralis 750 210 105 90 * C. ecentricus * 350 * 225 * C. granii 75 180 240 105 180 Dinophysis sp. * 105 * * *

Ditylum brightwelli 105 90 48 75 180

Diatoma anceps 180 180 * * 75 Eucampia zoodicus 315 90 * 85 * Fragilaria sp. 135 * 90 215 75 Leptocylindrus danicus * 90 120 * * Lithodesmium undulatum 350 * * 125 360 Nitzschia closterium * 215 75 105 * Nitzschia seriata 145 * 125 90 *

Odontella mobiliensis 135 120 * * 165 Planktonella sol * * 215 350 150

Pleurosigma normanii 140 75 75 * 60

Rhizosolenia alata * * 120 50 * Rhizosolenia imbricate 180 * 75 75 90 Rhizosolenia styliformis * * * 105 * Skeletonema costatum 375 141 90 225 450 Stephanophysis palmeriana 255 210 90 * 165 Streptotheca sp. 215 90 75 * 90 Thalassionema nitzschioides 150 60 135 45 105 Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii * 45 * * 90 Triceratium favus 165 105 * 75 120 Triceratium reticulatum 105 * 45 120 180 Dinoflagellates

Ceratium furca 24 105 180 * 105 Ceratium tripos 180 105 * 180 75

Protoperidinium oceanicum 90 45 150 50 120 Pyrophagus stenii 90 * 125 145 30 * - Organisms not present

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Population density

The phytoplankton density ranged from 2,768 to 5,502nos/l. The maximum density was recorded at VEM-1 and the minimum was recorded at VEM-3 (Fig. 2.24).

Fig. 2.24. Population density of Phytoplankton recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Percentage composition

In Vembar, diatoms outnumbered the other groups in abundance with a percentage of 85%. Dinoflagellates ranked second with a percentage contribution of 10%. Blue greens constituted with a meager contributionof 5% to the total organisms (Fig. 2.25).

Fig. 2.25. Percentage composition of Phytoplankton recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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Zooplankton

During the study period, 30 species of zooplankton were recorded from all the stations monitored. The calanoida were found to be the dominant forms.Species such as Acartia centrura, Acartia danae, Acrocalanus gibber, A. gracilis Labidocera sp. Nannocalanus minor, Paracalanus parvus, Temora discaudata in calanoids and Oithona rigida, O.brevicornis, O. similis, Corycaeus danae Acartia spinicauda and Pontella danaein cyclopoids,and larval forms such as gastropod veliger, bivalve veliger, barnacle nauplii and harpacticoida, Macrosetella aculata, Microsetella norvegica were found to be the common species in the collections. In the case of spirotricha, Tintinnopsis cylindrica, T. uruguayensisSagitta bifunctata, Oikopleura sp. showed consistency in their occurrence in the samples collected in various stations. TABLE-2.21. ZOOPLANKTON Nos/m3 ZOOPLANKTON VEM-1 VEM-2 VEM-3 VEM-4 VEM-5 Calanoida Acartia centrura 155 205 320 85 375 Acartia danae 320 320 * 105 75 Acartia erythrea * * 320 75 * Acrocalanus gipper 325 * 75 210 320 Acrocalanus gracilis * 320 * 120 210 Cenropages furcatus 95 10 155 85 * Nannocalanus minor * * 210 * 375 Paracalanus parvus 210 * * 450 320 Temora discaudata 320 425 * 110 * Cyclopoida Oithona brevicornis 85 120 95 320 425 Oithona rigida 320 85 105 375 * Oithona similis * * 320 * 95 Corycaeuas danae 375 320 210 * 320 Harpacticoida Euterpina acutiforns 210 320 375 * 375 Macrosetella aculata 315 425 * 145 * Macrosetella gracilis * * 425 * 120 Spirotricha Favella brevis * 120 425 * 425 Favella philipiensis 375 * * 120 *

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Tintinnopsis cylindrica 45 85 * 185 320 Tintinnopsis tocantinensis 255 * 120 * 155 Others Lucifer hanseni * 120 375 * 65 Sagitta sp. 120 75 * 125 * Oikopleura dioica 210 * * 120 450 Oikopleura parva * * 375 * * Larval forms Barnacle naupili 110 320 * * 320 Bivalve veliger 320 85 320 145 * Copepod naupili 210 * 150 * * Crustacean naupili * 75 375 * 105 Gastropod veliger 175 * 120 * 340 * - Organisms not present

Population density

Coming to zooplankton density ranged from 3,430 to 4,870 Nos/m3. The minimum density was recorded at VEM-3 and the maximum density was observed at VEM-2 (Fig. 2.26).

Fig. 2.26. Population density of Zooplankton recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Percentage composition

As noticed in phytoplankton,in zooplankton, calanoida emerged as the dominant group by constituting 34% of the total, followed by larval forms with

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30%, cyclopoida with 12% and spirotricha with 11% and Harpacticoida with 8% and group “others” with 5% (Fig. 2.27).

Fig. 2.27. Percentage composition of Zooplankton recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters BENTHOS

Macro-benthos

During the present investigation, four groups of benthic organisms namely polychaetes, crustaceans, bivalves and gastropodswere recorded. Of these, polychaetes constituted the dominant group followed by crustaceans, gastropods and bivalves.

Altogether 32 species of macro fauna were recorded here. Of these, polychaetes topped the list with 21 species. Crustaceans were found to be the next dominant group in the order of abundance with 5 species. Gastropods and bivalves came next with 3 species each of the total benthic organisms collected.

Among the polychaetes, Armandia intermedia, Capitella capitata, Cossura coasta, Goniada emerita, Neries sp., Pygospio elegans and Prionospio pinnata were found to be the most commonly occurring species in the samples collected in Vembar coastal waters. Coming to crustaceans, Angeliera phreaticola, Campylaspis sp., Gammarus sp., and bivalves,Anadara veligers,Meretrix meretrix andgastropods Cerithidea cingulate were found to be common species in the collection.

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TABLE-2.22. MACROBENTHOS Polychaetes VEM-1 VEM-2 VEM-3 VEM-4 VEM-5 Ampharate capensis 25 50 * 50 * Amphinome sp. * * 25 * * Armandia intermedia 75 100 * * * Autolytus sp. * * 75 * 75 Capitella capitata 75 * * 50 * Chone sp. * 50 * * * Cirratulus * 150 50 * * chrysoderma Cossura coasta * * * * 50 Euchone sp. 100 * * 25 * Eunice sp. * * 50 * 25 Goniada emerita 50 * * * * Maldanse sarsi * 75 25 * 50 Nereis sp. * * 25 * * Onuphis sp. * 100 * * * Pygospio elegans * 50 * 50 * Tharyx sp. * * 50 * 25 Pista sp. 50 * * * * Prionospio pinnata * 150 100 * 75 Prionospio cirrifera * * * 50 * Sabellides sp. 50 * * * * Syllis gracilis * * 75 * * Crustaceans

Gammarus sp. * 150 * * * Urothoe sp. * * * 50 75 Angeliera phreaticola * 100 * * * Mirocerberus sp. * 75 50 * * Campylaspis sp. * * 50 * * Bivalves

Anadara granosa * * 150 * * Anadara veligers 50 * * * 50 Meretrix meretrix * 50 * * * Gastropods

Turris indica * 50 * 50 * Cerithedia cingulata 50 * 100 * * Turritella attenuata 25 * * * * * - Organisms not present

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Population density

The population density varied from 325 to 1150Nos. m-2with maximum at VEM- 2 and minimum at VEM-4 (Fig. 2.28)

Fig. 2.28. Population density of macro benthos recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Percentage composition

When the results of percentage composition of benthic fauna were viewed, polychaetes constituted the maximum with 69% to the total benthic organisms. Crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods contributed 15%, 9% and 7% respectively to the benthic samples collected (Fig. 2.29).

Fig.2.29. Percentage composition of macro benthos recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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Meio-benthos

In the present study, as many as 38 species of meio-benthic fauna were recorded in Vembar coastal waters. Altogether four groups of meio-benthic organisms namely foraminiferans, nematodes, harpacticoids and ostracodes were recorded. Of these, foraminiferans topped the list with 17 species. Nematodes were found to be the next dominant group in the order of abundance with 9 species. Ostracodes and benthic harpacticoids came next with 8 and 4 species respectively.

Among the foraminiferans, Ammonia beccarii, Bolivina sp., Discorbis sp., Eliphidium sp., Quinqueloculina sp., and Rosalina globularis were found in all the stations. With respect to nematodes, Desmoscolex sp., Draconema sp., Halalaimus filum, Tricoma sp., and Viscosia sp., were found to be the common species in the samples collected in various stations. Coming to ostracodes, Phlycienophora sp., Leguminocythereis oertlii andharpacticoids, Diarthrodes sp., Tisbe furcata were found to be common in the collection. TABLE-2.23. MEIOBENTHOS Nematodes Nos/10cm2 VEM-1 VEM-2 VEM-3 VEM-4 VEM-5 Desmoscolex sp. 8 6 7 * 7 Draconema sp. 9 * 9 5 6 Enoploides sp. 10 8 13 6 9 Gonionchus sp. 9 6 * * 6 Halalaimus filum 6 10 8 11 8 Theristus sp. 7 0 11 * 11 Thoracostomopsis sp. 8 7 * 6 5 Tricoma sp. 6 6 * 8 * Viscosia sp. 7 5 6 5 5 Foraminiferans

Ammonia beccarii 4 8 7 6 7 Bolivina sp. 2 4 * 8 * Cornoboides advena 13 * 9 13 11 Cymbaloporetta sp. 9 * 7 * 6 Discorbis sp. * 6 * 5 6

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Eliphidium sp. 6 5 5 5 6 Eponides sp. * 6 * 6 * Globigerina ruber 7 6 7 8 8 Hauerina sp. * 7 * * 6 Loxostomum limbatum * 6 4 3 * Quinqueloculina sp. 5 6 * * 5 Rosalina bradyi 9 * * 8 9 Rosalina globularis 5 6 6 * 8 Spirillina limbata 5 6 * 5 4 Spiroloculina sp. 6 4 5 5 5 Triloculina sp. 4 * 6 6 7 Trochammina sp. 6 5 5 5 6 Harpacticoids

Euterpina acutifrons 6 5 6 5 * Diarthrodes sp. * * * * 5 Metisignea sp. 6 5 5 5 4 Tisbe furcata 7 6 6 3 * Ostrocodes

Conchoecia sp. * 6 3 6 5 Cyprideis sp. * 3 * 4 * Keijcyoidea sp. 4 * * 5 6 Leguminocythereis oertlii 7 6 4 5 * Patagonacytherre * 4 * * 4 tricostata Phlycienophora sp. 4 3 4 * 3 Tanella estuarii * 3 2 4 * Tanella indica 5 3 * 4 3

* - Organisms not present Population density

The population density of meiofauna varied from 145 to 190/10cm-2 with maximum at VEM-1 and minimum at VEM-3 (Fig. 2.30).

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Fig.2.30. Population density of meio-fauna recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

Percentage composition

The results of percentage composition of meio-fauna revealed that foraminiferans constituted the maximum with 46% of the total meio-benthic organisms. Nematodes, ostracodes and harpacticoids contributed with 32%, 13%, and 9% respectively to the total meio-benthic samples collected (Fig. 2.31).

Fig. 2.31. Percentage composition of meio benthos recorded in various stations of Vembar coastal waters

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In the present survey, the surface water temperature varied from 19 to 23C, which might be due to the influence of seasonal changes, geographical location and sampling time. The salinity varied from 34 to 36‰. Hydrogen ion concentration in surface waters remained alkaline in all the stations. The observations made on the prime physical factors such as TSS and turbidity was within the permissible level. The turbidity ranged between 3.9 and 13.6 NTU.

The ecologically sensitive chemical parameters such as Oxygen, BOD and nutrients were also at the optimal concentration which coinciding the seasonal variation. The observed oxygen level was fluctuated from 3.6 to 5.0 mg/l, with the maximum level was recorded at VEM-4-ss and the minimum was at VEM-3- ss. Further, the present study also indicated that the DO level remained fairly well prescribed within the range of the values of water quality. The BOD level ranged from 0.524 to 0.96 mg/l with the maximum BOD at VEM-3 and minimum at VEM-2 during this survey.

Further, the water nutrients such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, inorganic phosphate and silicate were found to be within the permissible range. The sand, silt and clay fraction at each of the stations along with their textural classification indicated that the sand and silt percentage was higher during this survey.

The microbial population showed the typical general and seasonal trend in water and sediment samples during this survey. The maximum microbial colony was observed in sediments when compared to the water due to decomposition of sea grass matter settled in the sediment.

In the present study, the chlorophyll ‘a’ in water sample varied from 0.146 to 0.394 mg/m3 with maximum at VEM-3-ss and minimum at VEM-2-ss. The Phaeopigments content varied from 0.187 to 2.964 mg/m3 with maximum was observed in VEM-5-ss and minimum in VEM-4-ss. The total biomass varied from 17.404 to 23.882 ml/100m3 with maximum was observed in VEM-5 and minimum in VEM-5-ss.

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Coming to planktonic organisms, three groups of phytoplankton species were recorded. Of these, diatoms were found to be the dominant group with 32 species, diniflagellates formed next group with 4 species and blue greens came last in the order with 2 species in all the stations. Among the diatom was the dominant group represented by species such as Coscinodiscus centralis, C. granii, Chaetoceros affinis, Cerataulina sp. Leptocylindrus danicus, Skeletonema costatum, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Triceratium favus, Cyclotellasp. Nitzschia sp. Odentella mobilensisand Pleurosigma normanii, were found in all stations. Coming to dinoflagellates, Ceratium furca and C. tripos andblue green algae Spirulina sp., and Trichodesmium erythraeum showed consistency in their occurrence in the samples collected in different stations of Vembar coastal waters. The phytoplankton density ranged from 2,768 to 5,502 Nos/l. The maximum density was recorded at VEM-1 and the minimum was recorded at VEM-3.

Among the zooplankton, calanoida were found to be the dominant forms. The species such as Acartia centrura, Acartia danae, Acrocalanus gibber, A. gracilis Labidocera sp. Nannocalanus minor, Paracalanus parvus, Temora discaudata and cyclopoida, Oithona rigida, O.brevicornis, O. similis, Corycaeus danae Acartia spinicauda and Pontella danae, and cyclopoida, Oithona rigida, O.brevicornis, O. similis, Corycaeus danae and larval forms, gastropod veliger, bivalve veliger, barnacle nauplii and harpacticoida, Macrosetella aculata, Microsetella norvegica were found to be the common species in the collections. In the case of spirotricha, Tintinnopsis cylindrica, T. uruguayensisSagitta bifunctata, Oikopleura sp. showed consistency in their occurrence in the samples collected in various stations. The population density ranged from 3,430 to 4,870 Nos/m3 with minimum density was recorded at VEM-3 and the maximum density was observed at VEM-2.

As regards macro benthic population, altogether 32 species of macro fauna were recorded here. Of these, polychaetes topped the list with 21 species. Crustaceans were found to be the next dominant group in the order of abundance with 5 species. Gastropods and bivalves came next with 3 species each of the total benthic organism collected. Among the polychaetes, Armandia

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intermedia, Capitella capitata, Cossura coasta, Goniada emerita, Neries sp., Pygospio elegans and Prionospio pinnata were found to be the most commonly occurring species in the samples collected in Vembar coastal waters. Coming to crustaceans, Angeliera phreaticola, Campylaspis sp., Gammarus sp., and bivalves,Anadara veligers,Meretrix meretrix andgastropods Cerithidea cingulatawere found to be common species in the collection.The population density varied from 325 to 1150Nos/m-2with maximum at VEM-2 and minimum at VEM-4.

With respect to meio-benthic fauna totally 38 species were recorded in Vembar coastal waters. Of these, foraminiferans topped the list with 17 species. Nematodes were found to be the next dominant group in the order of abundance with 9 species. Ostracodes and harpacticoids came next with 8 and 4 species respectively. Altogether four groups of meio-benthic organisms namely foraminiferans, nematodes, harpacticoids and ostracodes were recorded. Of these, foraminiferans were found to be dominant group followed by nematodes, ostracodes and harpacticoids. Among the foraminiferans, Ammonia beccarii, Bolivina sp., Discorbis sp., Eliphidium sp., Quinqueloculina sp., and Rosalina globularis were found to occur all the stations. With respect to nematodes, Desmoscolex sp., Draconema sp., Halalaimus filum, Tricoma sp., and Viscosia sp., were found to be the common species in the samples collected in various stations. Coming to ostracodes, Phlycienophora sp., Leguminocythereis oertlii andharpacticoids, Diarthrodes sp., Tisbe furcata were found to be common in the collection. The population density of meiofauna varied from 145 to 190/10cm-2 with maximum at VEM-1 and minimum at VEM- 3.

In the present survey sea grass species such as Cymodocea serrulata, Thalassia hemprichii, Halodule uninervis, H. wrightii, Halophila beccarii, H. decipens, H. ovalis and Syringodiun isoetifoliun were predominantly occurred in all the stations.

In short, the survey made during April 2014 suggests that the physico-chemical and biological parameters exhibited only marginal variation, that too of typical

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seasonal and general trend as reported in the coastal waters elsewhere. Further, the data collected on the chemical and biological parameters indicated that the water is well oxygenated and nutrient level are adequate enough supporting fairly good plankton population, since it forms a primary producers in the food chain so also the benthic faunal population.

2.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

The proposed project will bring direct as well as indirect benefits to the population of people of Vembar and nearby villages in the District of Thoothukudi and Ramnad .

Population and Demographic Profile

As mentioned the proposed project is located in the District Thoothukudi. The study area or the Project Influence Area comprises of about 03 village in Subdistricts Kadaladi and District Thoothikuddi ,Subdistrict Vilathikulam 07 villages . The total population in the study area or the project influence area is of the order of 37235 persons as per Census of India 2011. The distribution of population and demographic profile in the study area villages is outlined in Table 2.24 and Figure 2.32.

Table 2.24

Demographic profile in the study area villages

Sr. Name of the Villages

Total Total Total

Average

SexRatio

years

Total Total Male

Total Total Female

Population<6 Population<6

Population

FamilySize Households District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi 1478 6274 3169 3105 576 4 980 2 Kannirajpuram 1168 5086 2593 2493 528 4 961 3 Narippaiyur 2130 9861 5010 4851 1163 5 968 Subtotal (A) 4776 21221 10772 10449 2267 4 970 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict

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Sr. Name of the Villages

Total Total Total

Average

SexRatio

years

Total Total Male

Total Total Female

Population<6 Population<6

Population

FamilySize Households 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram 160 638 319 319 56 4 1000 5 Soorangudi 689 2806 1432 1374 313 4 959 6 Thangammalpuram.K. 362 1394 713 681 131 4 955 7 M.Shanmugapuram 353 1436 714 722 175 4 1011 8 Vembar 1492 6307 3127 3180 768 4 1017 9 Periasamypuram 366 1507 756 751 141 4 993 10 Melmandai 503 1926 976 950 244 4 973 Subtotal (B) 3925 16014 8037 7977 1828 4 993 Total (A+B) 8701 37235 18809 18426 4095 4 980 Source: Primary Census Abstract, 2011

Fig. 2.32: Demographic profile in the study area villages The distribution of male and female population in study area villages comprises of about 50.5% and 49.5% respectively. The population comprising of infants and children below the age of 6 years constitute about 11.0% of the total population in the study area villages. The sex ratio and average family size in the study area villages is 980 and 4 persons per family respectively.

Literacy Levels

The details of literate and illiterate population amongst the total population of study area villages are shown in Table 2.25. As per this table, it is observed

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that about 72.2% of the total population in the study area villages is literate, while about 27.8% are illiterate. Among the literate population, males and females comprise about 54.5% and 45.5% of the total literate population. Further, among the illiterate population, males and females comprise about 40.1% and 59.9% of the total illiterate population. Table 2.25

Distribution of literate and illiterate population in the study area villages

Sr.No Name of the Village

Total Total

Female Female

Literate Literate

Illiterate Illiterate

Population Population Population

MaleLiterate MaleIlliterate District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi 6274 4542 2478 2064 1732 691 1041 2 Kannirajpuram 5086 3783 2066 1717 1303 527 776 3 Narippaiyur 9861 7324 3999 3325 2537 1011 1526 Subtotal (A) 21221 15649 8543 7106 5572 2229 3343 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram 638 416 239 177 222 80 142 5 Soorangudi 2806 1833 1041 792 973 391 582 6 Thangammalpuram.K. 1394 982 552 430 412 161 251 7 M.Shanmugapuram 1436 974 541 433 462 173 289 8 Vembar 6307 4679 2418 2261 1628 709 919 9 Periasamypuram 1507 1202 638 564 305 118 187 10 Melmandai 1926 1144 681 463 782 295 487 Subtotal (B) 16014 11230 6110 5120 4784 1927 2857 Total (A+B) 37235 26879 14653 12226 10356 4156 6200 Source: Census of India 2011

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Figure 2.33: Literacy profile in the study area villages

Occupational profile

The details on occupational profile in the study area villages are given in Table 2.26. As per this table it is observed that 45.6% of the total population is engaged in some form of economically productive activity or vocational activity, and have been designated as Total Working population. On the other hand, the Non-workers or persons who are dependent on the population, which is engaged in economically productive work accounts for about 54.4% of the total population. Among the population that is working about 76.5% has been designated as Main workers while the remaining 23.5% has been designated as Marginal workers. Table 2.26

Occupational profile in the study area villages

Sr.No Name of the Villages g

Main Main

Total Total Total

Working Working Workers Workers

Marginal

Population Population Nonworkin Population District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi 6274 3601 2448 1153 2673 2 Kannirajpuram 5086 2277 1774 503 2809 3 Narippaiyur 9861 3751 2777 974 6110 Subtotal (A) 21221 9629 6999 2630 11592 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict

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Sr.No Name of the Villages g

Main Main

Total Total Total

Working Working Workers Workers

Marginal

Population Population Nonworkin Population 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram 638 344 344 0 294 5 Soorangudi 2806 1530 1183 347 1276 6 Thangammalpuram.K. 1394 714 412 302 680 7 M.Shanmugapuram 1436 672 565 107 764 8 Vembar 6307 2249 2095 154 4058 9 Periasamypuram 1507 692 671 21 815 10 Melmandai 1926 1157 732 425 769 Subtotal (B) 16014 7358 6002 1356 8656 Total (A+B) 37235 16987 13001 3986 20248 Source: Census of India 2001

Figure 2.34: Occupational profile in the study area villages

Access to Amenities and Infrastructure facilities

The details on availability and access to various amenities and infrastructure in the project affected villages have been elucidated in the following sub-sections.

Access to Educational facilities

Educational Facility is available in all the study area villages. Village wise details of the study area is given in Table 2.27.It observed that minimum one primary school is present in all the study area villages.Similarly most of the

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villages have one each middle school except 03 villages of Vilathikulam Taluka where students have to travel either <5 km or 5-10 km to avail the facility of the middle school. Whereas there are only three study area villages which have one each secondary school.Vembar village is the only village which has a senior secondary school in whole study area.

Table 2.27

Access to educational facility in the study area

Sr Name of the Village

Senior Senior

School School School School

Facility

College

Primary Primary

Industrial Industrial

Secondary Secondary Secondary

Educational Educational Middle School Middle District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi Available 6 1 0 0 >10 km 0 2 Kannirajpuram Available 2 1 1 0 >10 km 0 3 Narippaiyur Available 1 1 0 0 >10 km 0 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram Available 1 <5 km 0 0 >10 km 0 5 Soorangudi Available 1 <5 km 0 0 >10 km 0 6 Thangammalpuram.K. Available 1 1 1 0 >10 km 0 7 M.Shanmugapuram Available 3 5-10 km 0 0 >10 km 0 8 Vembar Available 5 3 1 1 >10 km 1 9 Periasamypuram Available 3 1 0 0 >10 km 0 10 Melmandai Available 1 1 0 0 >10 km 0 Medical facilities

Access to medical facilities in the study area villages is depicted in Table 2.28. It is observed from the Census 2001 that there are two study area villages of Kadaladi subdistrict which have no medical facilities in the village. To avail any kind of medical facility residents of the study area villages have to travel varying distances of >10km.Whereas Maternity and Child Welfare Centre are available in three study area villages, patients from the other study area villages have to travel varying distance of <5km, 5-10km and >10 km.Child Welfare Centre is available only in one study area villages.Vembar is the only study area village which has a Primary Health Centre, residents of the 09 villages have to travel

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varying distances of <5km, 5-10km and >10 km .Whereas Primary Health Centre are available in three villages of Vilathikulam district. No village of the district Ramanathapuram has Community Health Workers whereas all the villages of Thoothikudi district have one each community worker.

Table 2.28

Access to medical facility in the study area

Centre Centre

Facility

Medical

SubCentre

Community Community

All All Hospitals

Child Welfare Child

WelfareCentre PrimaryHealth PrimaryHealth

Sr.no Name of the Village MaternityChild HealthWorkers District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi Available > 10 km 1 0 5-10 km 0 0 2 Kannirajpuram Not Available > 10 km >10 km 0 > 10 km 0 0 3 Narippaiyur Not Available > 10 km >10 km 0 <5 km 0 0 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram Available > 10 km <5 km 0 5-10 km 0 1 5 Soorangudi Available > 10 km >10 km 0 5-10 km 1 1 6 Thangammalpuram.K. Available > 10 km >10 km 0 5-10 km 0 1 7 M.Shanmugapuram Available > 10 km 5-10 km 0 5-10 km 0 1 8 Vembar Available > 10 km 1 0 1 1 1 9 Periasamypuram Available > 10 km 1 1 <5 km 0 1 10 Melmandai Available > 10 km >10 km 0 > 10 km 1 1

Drinking water

Potable drinking water is available in all the villages. The main sources of water in the project affected villages include tap water, water from wells, tanks, tubewells, and handpumps. The details are given in Table – 2.29

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Table 2.29

Access to water in the study area villages

Water Water

water in

Drinking

Tubewell

Summers

Source of

Tap Tap Water

WellWater

Handpump Handpump TankWater

Sr.no Name of the Village Water facility District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi Available 2 1 1 2 2 5-10 km 2 Kannirajpuram Available 1 1 1 2 2 T, W 3 Narippaiyur Available 1 1 1 2 2 T, W District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram Available 1 2 0 2 2 5 Soorangudi Available 1 2 0 2 1 6 Thangammalpuram.K. Available 1 2 0 1 1 7 M.Shanmugapuram Available 1 2 0 2 1 8 Vembar Available 1 1 0 2 2 9 Periasamypuram Available 2 1 0 2 2 10 Melmandai Available 1 1 0 2 1

Post & Telegraph and Communication facilities

Among the study area villages, post and telegraph facilities are available in 09 study area the villages. Post office is available in 08 study area villages Residents of the remaining villages travel between <5 km to access the facility of post office. Telephone office is available only in one study area village namely Vembar. Phone is available in all the villages except two study area villages. The details are given in Table – 2.30.

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Table 2.30

Access to post, telegraph and telephone facilities in the study area villages

Office

Phone

Facili

Postand

n Facility n

Telegraph

Telephone PostOffice

Sr.no Name of the Village Communicatio District Ramanathpuram Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi Available 2 0 1 1 >10 2 Kannirajpuram Available 1 0 km 1 Not 5-10 3 Narippaiyur Avaialble <5 km 0 km 1 District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram Available 1 0 1 1 5 Soorangudi Available 1 0 64 1 6 Thangammalpuram.K. Available <5 km 0 12 1 7 M.Shanmugapuram Available 1 0 10 1 8 Vembar Available 1 1 260 1 9 Periasamypuram Available 1 0 21 1 10 Melmandai Available 1 0 8 1 Transport facilities

The details on transport facilities in the study area villages are shown in Table 2.31. It is observed from the table that all the study area villages have bus facility. Whereas for Railway facility and Navigable Waterways facility residents of the study area have to travel distances of 5-10km and >10km. Table 2.31

Access to Transport facilities in the study area villages

way way

Station

Facility

Rail

Navigable Waterways Sr.no Name of the Village Bus Facility District Ramanathpuram

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Kadaladi Subdistrict 1 S.Tharaikudi Available >10 km >10 km 2 Kannirajpuram Available >10 km 5-10 km 3 Narippaiyur Available >10 km 5-10 km District Thoothikudi Vilathikulam Subdistrict 4 M.Kumarasakkanapuram Available >10 km >10 km 5 Soorangudi Available >10 km >10 km 6 Thangammalpuram.K. Available >10 km >10 km 7 M.Shanmugapuram Available >10 km >10 km 8 Vembar Available >10 km >10 km 9 Periasamypuram Available >10 km >10 km 10 Melmandai Available >10 km >10 km

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CHAPTER 3 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

3.1 GENERAL

Based on the project details and the baseline environmental status and physical oceanography data, potential impacts that are expected to accrue as a result of the proposed Groyne have been identified. The Environmental Impact Assessments for quite a few disciplines are subjective in nature and cannot be quantified. Wherever possible, the impacts have been quantified. However, for intangible impacts, a qualitative assessment has been done.

The protection of beaches that are prone to erosion are usually protected by construction of sea wall, Groyne, breakwaters etc. The objective of the proposed project is to maintain the navigable depth for the fishing crafts and renourish and stabilize the shoreline along the Vembar Coast.

3.2 IMPACT ON PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Tidal inlets provide tidal conveyance from open bodies of ocean to the river mouth area and adjacent sheltered lagoons and estuaries. Environmental factors such as tides, longshore transport, freshwater input and wave climate influence inlet configurations and therefore have immediate and direct effects on biological resources within the system.

Geomorphology

Sand normally moves offshore in the winter and returns onshore in the spring and summer. During beach nourishment, sand can be placed in any one, or all of these areas, and will redistribute to a more stable profile. Other physical changes from placement of sand include increased shear resistance (sand permeability), altered dry density, change in moisture content, different grain size and shape, silt/clay composition changes, and altered placement of sand grains throughout the nourished area (Parr et al., 1978). Alteration in sediment dynamics cause changes in the hydrodynamic patterns in the intertidal zone. Deposition of material high in clay or silt content may cause

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temporary elevated turbidity. Wind is one of the major forces that form dunes, and sorts sediments according to grain size.

The proposed construction of Groyne will have an impact on the geomorphology of the area. In course of time the beach will stabilize. Hence there will be a reduced accretion in the mouth of the river. This will help in the flushing of sea water into the mouth and adjacent backwater areas. Hence it will have a positive impact on the mangroves and associated flora and fauna.

Water Quality

The construction of a Groyne potentially produces temporary localized effects to ambient water quality during and proximal to the construction areas. Turbidity is a major impact of Groyne construction (USACE 1976a). Short- term environmental effects, includes primarily elevated turbidity levels in the water column also occur as a result of beach nourishment. During construction, if turbidity levels become elevated, best management practice to be considered is washing of stone prior to placement or the use of turbidity curtains. Water quality effects anticipated during and immediately following construction of a Groyne may also have short-term effects. The majority of larval fish migrates along the coast within the inshore longshore transport system and therefore could be negatively affected if turbidity levels increase significantly.

Resuspension of toxic materials can also occur, as noise, air, and water pollution. Compared to jetties and breakwaters, these physical effects will be less because Groyne are relatively small structures (Mulvihill et al. 1980). A common environmental concern related to construction Groyne involves short and long-term effects of suspended sediments, either during the construction process or over an indefinite period as the new beach profile responds to prevailing physical forces (USACE 2001). During construction, concerns are generally associated with the presence of very high concentrations of suspended sediments and plumes of turbid water in the vicinity of the construction area. Several factors can contribute to the magnitude of re-suspension and spatial extent of plumes, including prevalent

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meteorological and sea state conditions, granulometry of the bottom sediments like silts or clays content and mode of placement of the rocks.

3.3 IMPACT ON BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Benthic Resources

Benthic macro invertebrates and in faunal species have limited mobility, and some are sensitive to physical and chemical environmental changes. Thus, benthic fauna can be useful indicators of a wide range of natural and anthropogenic stresses. Many benthic species depend upon variable particle sizes and available interstitial pore space in the substrate. Most species are found in the upper 3.3 feet of the substrate due to available oxygen content and aeration properties, although some larger species may live deeper (USFWS 2002).

A seafloor with physical properties ranging from dense mud to well-cemented limestone may be considered hard bottom or live bottoms. Such hardened or semi-hardened seafloor areas generally support a high diversity of benthic or sessile flora and fauna (Boss et al. 1999). As suggested by NOAA NMFS, a rock rubble structure extending below the intertidal zone in a sandy bottom location would likely induce and support the development of a diverse benthic community supporting higher tropic levels of both fish and birds within the vicinity and footprint of a terminal Groyne.

The abundant type of benthic fauna found in the coast includes bivalves, polychaetes and amphipods. Based on the present studies in and around the mouth of the river, it is concluded that benthic communities are rarely in equilibrium and can vary significantly in their distribution and biotic composition. In addition, natural ecosystem processes and physical variations make it difficult to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic disturbances (Grober 1992). Important considerations when evaluating potential effects to the benthic community include the ability of the community to recolonize the area after a disturbance, restoration of some measure of community parameters (e.g., species richness and

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diversity), and the functional property of the community to higher trophic levels (i.e., resident and migratory fish and shorebirds).

During the construction phase there is a possibility of decrease in the benthic faunal assemblages. This will stabilise over a period of time and hence the impact due to construction will be short term.

Alteration in Habitat

The placement of rock to construct a terminal Groyne would result in a temporary and footprint specific loss of the existing benthic community. The placement of rock may also result in the permanent loss of intertidal and nearshore subtidal habitat; however, this loss may be negligible when compared to the total amount of intertidal habitat within the project area. The loss of these habitats would be replaced by rocky, hardbottom material that would add diversity to the bottom habitat (USACE 2008a); thus providing a new habitat type that can be utilized by certain groups of invertebrates, juvenile/larval fish, and birds. The addition of rocky habitat within a sandy intertidal area is not necessarily a positive benefit, rather a habitat trade-off.

Fish and Fisheries

Inlets are important corridors (or bottlenecks) through which many fish must successfully pass to complete their life cycles (Street et al. 2005; Roberts et al. 1995). Cypris larvae of barnacle species have been found in the sampling locations. The impact of Groyne on the larval transport is likely to occur, but the level of effect would depend on several factors like the species’ spawning areas, egg types (demersal or buoyant) and the larval stage when the structural encounter occurs. Also the Inlet may be especially important due to the presence of mangroves and associated fauna along the shoreline.

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in more abundant and species-rich catches. Alternatively, Groyne habitat may provide a foraging site and shelter for fishes in the surf zone, and is associated with higher fish abundances and species richness than in other surf zone communities (Peters and Nelson 1987; Clark et al. 1996). The same sand by-passing action would also affect the by-pass of estuarine dependant larval forms.

3.4 CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY ROAD AND MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES

It has been observed that the shoreline is inaccessible from the landing jetty region by roads. Hence, for the construction of training walls, a suitable temporary road should be placed across one of the branch of the waterfront. Keeping in view the location of training wall, the road alignment can be modified according to the functional requirement for the movement of the fishing vessels and the construction vehicle movement.

During the construction of the temporary roads, care will be taken not to obstruct the flow of water into the inlet. Further, any construction made shall be temporary in nature and the same will be removed once the proposed project is completed.

IMPACTS ON AIR ENVIRONMENT

The combustion of diesel in various construction equipments could be one of the possible sources of incremental air pollution during the construction phase. The fuel utilization rates of various equipments expected to be in operation during construction phase is given in Table-3.1. Under the worst case scenario, it has been considered that equipment used for construction of berth and earthwork at each site, are operating at a common point.

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TABLE- 3.1 Fuel combustion during construction phase ------Equipment Fuel consumption No. of Total fuel rate (lph) units consumption (l) ------Generators 30 1 30 Batching plant 40 1 40 Dumpers 20 2 40 Loaders and unloaders 25 1 25 Excavators 25 1 25 Water tanker 8 2 16 ------Total 176 ------

The major pollutant likely to be emitted due to construction of diesel in various construction equipment shall be SO2. The short-term increase in SO2 concentration has been predicted using Gaussian plume dispersion model.

The maximum short-term increase in SO2 shall be less 1 g/m3. The incremental concentration is quite low and does not require any specific control measure. Thus, the operation of construction equipment is not expected to have any major impact on the ambient air quality as a result of the project.

MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES

Construction vehicle movements causes emissions to atmosphere and also causes indirect effect/disturbance to birds present in the nearby mangroves. This is likely to be a short-term effect only and will cease after the construction of the Groyne. Routine maintenance of vehicles and proper instructions to the driver about safe driving will be imparted. This will not only help in reducing any unforeseen accidents but also will help in minimal damages during the construction phase.

The major pollutant in the construction phase due to vehicular movement will be NOx, CO and HC. But, the vehicular pollution is not expected to lead to any major impacts. The temporary road construction is likely to generate dust

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as a result of vehicular movement. However, the fugitive emissions generated due to vehicular movement are not expected to travel beyond a distance of 200 to 250 m. Also the impact on air environment during construction phase is not expected to be significant, since, there is no habitation in the vicinity of the site.

The increase in the pollutants in the air will be only during the construction phase and short term in nature. The ambient air quality will be restored to the original levels once the construction of the Groyne is completed.

3.5 IMPACTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

During the construction stage, the peak labour force, skilled and unskilled labour, is estimated at about 50. Most of the labour will be from the local communities. The construction of Groyne will help fisherman in increasing the fishing activities in the area ,which would have a significant positive impact on the overall economy of the area.

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CHAPTER-4 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

4.1 THE NEED

Monitoring is an essential component for sustainability of any developmental project. It is an integral part of any environmental assessment process. Any development project introduces complex inter-relationships in the project area between people, various natural resources, biota and the many developing forces. Thus, a new environment is created. It is very difficult to predict with complete certainty the exact post-project environmental scenario. Hence, monitoring of critical parameters is essential in the post-project phase.

Monitoring of environmental indicators signal potential problems and facilitate timely prompt implementation of effective remedial measures. It will also allow for validation of the assumptions and assessments made in the present study.

Monitoring becomes essential to ensure that the mitigation measures planned for environmental protection function effectively during the entire period of project operation. The data so generated also serves as a data bank for prediction of post-project scenarios in similar projects.

4.2 AREAS OF CONCERN

From the monitoring point of view, the important parameters are marine water quality, ambient air quality, noise, etc during project construction phase. An attempt is made to establish early warning system that indicate the stress on the environment. Suggested monitoring parameters and programmes are described in the subsequent sections.

4.3 MARINE WATER & SEDIMENT QUALITY

The chemical and biological characteristics of marine water quality shall be monitored once in three months during project construction period. Both surface and bottom waters should be sampled and analysed. The parameters to be monitored are as follows:

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Marine Water

Physico-chemical parameters

- pH - Salinity - Conductivity - TDS - Turbidity - D.O. - BOD - Phosphates - Nitrates - Sulphates - Chlorides Biological parameters

- Light penetration - Chlorophyll - Primary Productivity - Phytoplanktons (No. of species and their density) - Zooplanktons (No. of species and their density)

Sediments

Physio-chemical parameters

- Texture - pH - Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen - COD - Sodium - Potassium - Phosphates - Chlorides - Sulphates Biological Parameters

- Benthic Meio-fauna - Benthic Macro-fauna

4.4 MONITORING PROGRAM

Increases in coastal development and erosion control measures, along with a greater emphasis on defining and protecting critical fish habitats, have all contributed to beach restoration projects that affect surf-zone fish communities. The construction of the Groyne shall alter the existing regimes in sediment

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supply hence a regular monitoring program is required for assessing the changes due to the construction of Groyne. The monitoring program shall be divided into

4.4.1 Shoreline Monitoring

The monitoring program shall encompass the following surveys

 Shoreline profile of the coastal tract of the proposed project prior to construction of the Groyne  Periodic bathymetry profile of the entire stretch for atleast 2km north and south of the proposed Groyne prior to construction of Groyne to form a baseline data  Shoreline and bathymetry Surveys during construction as a part of monitoring surveys  Shoreline Monitoring Surveys after completion of the Groyne for a minimum of 10 years with close intervals of once in 4 months for the first 2 years and once in 6 months in the next 3 years and one time a year for the next 5 years.  Bathymetric survey with single or multi-beam echo sounders once in a year for 5 years  Morphology of emerged and submerged beaches;

4.4.2 Habitat Monitoring

 Habitat change will be evaluated by a team of experts comprising of Physical oceanographer, Geologist specializing in geomorphology at regular intervals after the baseline is established.  Baseline habitat condition monitoring shall commence soon after the completion of the construction of the Groyne.  Biological data collection shall include, but is not limited to beach invertebrates but also swash zone invertebrates such as the crabs, amphipods, and polychaete etc.  Observations on migratory bird species shall be recorded especially where nesting birds or turtles are observed.

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CHAPTER – 5 CONCLUSIONS

The EIA Study was carried out to identify the impacts of the proposed construction of Groyne at Vembar, Vilathikulam Taluk, in Thoothukudi District. The conclusions of the study are as follows:

 The marine water quality and ecology in and around the proposed area for the construction of the groyne is that of any normal coastal environment during the study period.  The project area has biological features characteristics of any coastal area in the occurrence, abundance and bio diversity of biological community of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos and fishes. No rare, endangered, threatened marine species were recorded during marine survey.  For the maintenance of quality of the marine ecology of the study area, critical locations and designated monitoring sites are to be carefully selected for periodic monitoring with respect to marine water, sediment, flora and fauna.  Regular monitoring of the health of the associated river mouth and its ecosystem of the project area along with the details of sediment erosion and deposition regimes by visual observations and periodic surveys is also recommended.  A single line sea bed level survey along the proposed training wall alignment as proposed need to be carried out prior to the commencement of the work in order to assess the length of the training wall and the depth along the alignment for the proposed length.  During the construction phase If any substantial change in the beach profile is observed a detailed study is recommended and to halt any further construction of the groins.  It is strongly recommended that the construction of all three training walls need to be carried out simultaneously.

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 If there is any erosion observed in the northern side of G3, a shore line of length 40m needs to be strengthened by construction of seawall to avoid shifting of the river mouth.  During field observations it was observed that the shoreline is inaccessible from the landing jetty region by roads. Hence to facilitate the construction of groins a suitable temporary road needs to be laid.  Further based on the magnitude of the construction activities it has been estimated that the benefits derived from the construction of the groynes outweigh the adverse impacts due to the construction.

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ANNEXURE-1

National Ambient Air quality Standards (NAAQS) Concentration of Ambient Air Ecologically Time Industrial, Sensitive S. POLLUTANTS Weighted Residential area Method of No. Average Rural and (notified by Measurement other area Central Government) 1 50 20 -Improved west and Annual* Sulphur Dioxide Gacke 3 (SO2) , µg/m 80 80 -Ultraviolet 24 hours ** fluorescence 2 40 30 - Modified Jacab & Nitrogen Annual* Hochheister (Na- Dioxide (NO2) , 3 80 80 Arsentire) µg/m 24 hours ** -Chemiluminescene 3 Particulate 60 60 -Gravimetric Matter (Size Annual* -TOEM less than 10, 100 100 -Beta attenuation µm) or PM10 , 24 hours ** µg/m3 4 Particulate 40 40 -Gravimetric Matter (Size Annual* -TOEM less than 2.5 , 60 60 -Beta attenuation µm) or PM2.5, 24 hours ** µg/m3 Note: * Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurement in a year at a particular site taken twice a week 24 hourly at a uniform intervals. ** 24 hourly or 08 hourly or 01 hourly monitored values, as applicable, shall be complied with 98% of the time in a year. 2% of the time, they may exceeded the limits but not on two consecutive days of monitoring.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment

Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

ANNEXURE- 2

Ambient noise standards ------Area Category Limits in dB(A) Leq Code of Area ------Day time Night time ------A. Industrial Area 75 70 B. Commercial Area 65 55 C. Residential Area 55 45 D. Silence Zone 50 40 ------Notes: 1. Day time 6 AM and 9 PM 2. Night time is 9 PM and 6 AM 3. Silence zone is defined as areas upto 100 metres around such premises as hospitals, educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are to be declared by competent authority. Use of vehicular horns, loudspeakers and bursting of crackers shall be banned in these zones. 4. Environment (Protection) Third Amendment Rules, 2000 Gazettee notification, Government of India, date 14.2.2000.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU WATER RESOURCES ORGANISATION PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

RISK ASSESSMENT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GROYNE AT VEMBAR IN VILATHIKULAM TALUK, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

WAPCOS LIMITED (A Government Of India Undertaking – Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation)

Flat No: 2C, IInd floor, Jai Durga Apartment, 38/2, First Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083. E-mail: [email protected] Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 DISTRICT PROFILE

Geographical Locations of the District and Project site

Thoothukudi District lies between latitude 8o 45’ Northern and longitude 78o 11’ Eastern with an area of about 4635 Sq.km. The district is bounded on west by Tirunelveli District, on the north by Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram district, on south by Bay of Bengal and on the east by Bay of Bengal. It is situated 640 kms southeast of the state Head Quarters, Chennai.

District Administrations

The District is divided into 3 revenue divisions, 8 administrative Taluk and 480 Revenue villages.

Rivers, Rainfall and Climate

The main river Thamiraparani flowing in the District from west to eastern directions is a perennial river. This District depends upon both monsoons for its rain. In the coastal region, during the North East monsoon is heavy and in the

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

interior region, it is lighter. This District has the typical climate with high humidity and relatively to moderate temperature through the year.

The rainfall occurs mostly in the months of October, November and December. During the period from October to January, the climate remains relatively cooler. From February, the early summer sets in and in the month of April, May, June, July and are August are hot months.

Industries, Ports and Transport

Industries

The major private industries in the district are as follows:  SPIC at Thoothukudi  TAC at Thoothukudi  Sterlite at Thoothukudi  Dharangadhare chemical works in Authoor  Bharat Power Plant, Ottapidaram  Coastal emergent limited, Ottapidaram

Ports

VOC Port a major port, which was started on 1st April 1980 is the only port in the District. Currently cement and fertilizer are being exported and fuel, chemicals and oils etc are being imported.

Transport

The District is adequately served by all well laid networks of roads and railways. All the taluks are connected with state high ways. There is one Airport in this District at Vagaikulam of Thoothukudi taluk (15 km away from Thoothukudi).

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

PAST EXPERIENCE OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE DISTRICT

Tsunami

Thoothukudi district is one among the 13 coastal districts, which was struck by the Tsunami on 26.12.2004. As many as 23 coastal villages were affected in this district due to unprecedented devastation. The Tsunami affected villages comprised in six taluks are located along the 120 km stretch of the south east coast of Tamilnadu.

The particulars of villages affected are as follows:  Vilathikulam Taluk –Vembar,Periyasamypuram,Keelavaippar.Sippikulam  Ottapidaram Taluk- Pattanemandur,Thiruvaikulam,Vellapatti  Thoothukudi Taluk- Siluvaipatti, Loorthamalpuram, Thoothukudi North, Thoothukudi South  Srivaikudam Taluk- Paleyakayal, Ratchayapuram  ThiruchendurTaluk- Punnakayal, Kombuthurai, Singithurai, Veerapandiyapattinam, Jeevanagar, Amalinagar, Alanthalai, Kulasekarapattinam, Manapad.  Sattankulam Taluk- Periathalai

Majority of the people are fishermen living in these villages and depend upon fishing only for their livelihood.

Rescue operations

Emergency Rescue teams comprising staff of Revenue, Development, Public health, Fire service and Police Department were formed and pressed into rescue operations. The Rescue teams evacuated 3029 families from low lying areas where the sea water engulfed the habitations.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Medical camps

Medical assistance to the inmates of 23 relief camps was provided by the Public Health Department.13 medical teams consisting of doctors, Paramedical workers, Block Health Inspectors were formed and medical care rendered to the affected people staying in the relief camps. All the people were immunised against contagious diseases and treated for all ailments.

Recent Rain and Monsoon damages

 During March 2008, unprecedented rains lasted in the district. During this rain 367 villages were affected and 15 villages got marooned. 3489 people were evacuated and were accommodated in relief centres.

 During North East monsoon 2008, there was widespread rain. There was heavy flood/ cyclone damage. Due to heavy rains 481 houses were partly damaged and 190 houses fully damaged.

 During North East monsoon 2009, there was widespread rain followed by heavy flood. 407 houses were damaged due to this.

 During North East monsoon 2010, roads, irrigation sources were damaged. During 2011 also North east monsoon rains, roads, irrigation sources and crops were damaged.

3.0 HAZARD ANALYSIS

The following are five major classification of disaster:  Water and Climate related disaster  Geologically related disaster  Chemical, industrial and nuclear disaster  Accident related disaster  Biological related disaster

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Water and Climate related disaster: Cyclone

This district has a coast line of about 110km and hence is highly prone to cyclone, which are the part of North East Monsoon Season. The Classification of Tropical disturbance over the Indian seas are given below: Maximum sustained winds System classification in knots in kmph Low Pressure area Less than 17 Less than 31 Depression 17-27 31-49 Deep Depression 28-33 50-61 Cyclonic Storm 34-47 62-88 Severe Cyclonic storm 48-63 89-118 Very severe cyclonic storm 64-119 119-221 Super cyclone 120 and above 222 and alone

Storm Surge

It is the term used to denote the rapid rise in the sea level associated with a cyclone. It occurs along the sea coast to the right of the tract of the cyclone, a few hours before the cyclone strikes the coast. A sea level rise of 2 to 3 meters is common, but with very severe cyclones, the rise can be 5 metre or more. The rise in sea inundates the low lying land areas of the coast drowning humans and livestock, eroding beaches and embankments, destroying vegetation. Increasing salinity, reducing soil fertility and causing contamination of drinking water.

Storm Surge depends on the following factors:  Intensity of the system  Bathymetry (Bottom topography) of the sea coast  Coastal configuration  The angle at which the cyclone hits the coast

Vulnerability to storm surge is not uniform along the Indian coast. The following segments of the East Coast are most vulnerable to high surge.

 North Orissa and West Bengal coast.  Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipattinam  TamilNadu coast south of Nagapattinam

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Gales

Very strong winds may cause damage to installations and structures, dwelling communication system and trees resulting in loss of life and property. In the case of fully developed tropical cyclone wind system in the Horizontal plane near the sea surface consists of 4 zones.

 A calm central area, often circular varying between 10 to 30 km in diameter, where the winds are very light, skies, mostly clear or lightly clouded, no rain and the temperature significantly warmer than in the clouded zone outside this area. This area is called the eye of the storm.

 An inner ring of hurricane force winds (speed 90kmph or more and 50 – 150 km on width) and torrential rain.

 An outer storm area in which winds are less strong (20-30kmph). There is an asymmetry of rainfall pattern, clouds, winds etc. about the centre of the cyclone over this zone. Rainfall is also not continuous.

 The outer most area weak circulation characterised by partially cloudy weather and light rain.

Chemical, industrial and Nuclear disaster

There are three major chemical industries viz  Southern petro chemical industries in Thoothukudi Taluk  Dharangahare chemical limited in Tiruchendur taluk and  Sterlite copper industry in Thoothukudi Taluk.

Since this area is liable for this disaster, action has been taken by the district authorities and disaster management plan has been evolved.

Accident related disaster Highways

National Highways NH 45B crosses this district through kovilpatti and Vilathikulam taluks from Madurai to Thoothukudi, another National Highway NH 7

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

or East coast Road from Madurai to Kanyakumari, crossing through Vilathikulam, Ettayapuram,ottapidaram, Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur and Sattankulam Taluk.

The length of national highways, state Highways and other roads are furnished as below:  National Highways – 112Km  State highways – 336km  Major District Roads-269km  Other District Roads- 1388 km  East Coast Road- Work in progress.

Biological Related Disaster

In this category, two hazards namely cattle epidemics, food poisoning has been identified as the major hazard. The district authority has planned adequate disaster management plans to deal with the above two Biological related Management plans.

4.0 RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk is the probability of occurrence of an event,which causes emergency and results in hazard, which adversely affects the mankind and the nature. Risk analysis deals with the systematic use of available information to determine.  Frequency of hazard  Quantum of its probable consequence

The Risk of disaster is related to  The Hazard  How vulnerability of a locality to it and  How will, the hazard and the vulnerability are managed

Risk analysis involves the following steps:  Assessment of hazard  Vulnerability and capacity assessment  Prioritisation of actions.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

Hazard assessment Cyclone

Thoothukudi is situated in the east west of India in Bay of Bengal and the occurrence of cyclone is quite common in Bay of Bengal as is evident from the fact that in the Bay of Bengal totally 295 cyclonic storm have been observed, of which 99 were severe cyclonic storm compare to only 38 total cyclonic storms observed in Arabian sea of which 21 were severe cyclonic storms during the last century.

Flood

The Coastal district is having a few number of rivers and many major water tanks for irrigation purpose with very gradually sloping land. This district is prone to floods in low lying areas, in coastal areas and areas near to rivers and major water tanks. Added to it is the cyclonic rain which takes place mainly during the North – East monsoon months of October, November, and December.

List of places which are considered to be vulnerable to floods and cyclone due to the situation in sea-coast or river banks or in low lying areas.

Tiruchendur Taluk:

1. Athinattapuram 2. Alwar Thirunagar 3. Alagiamane valapuram 4. Thirukalur 5. Then therperai 6. Madaviparnai 7. Rajapathi 8. Sethukuvaithan 9. Melaathoor 10.Authoor curba 11.Senthamagalam

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

12.Punnakayal (Coastal area mostly lowerly area) 13.Kayalpattinam 14.Veerapandiyapattinam 15.Tiruchendur 16.Alanthalai 17.Kulasekaranpattinam 18.Manapad

5.0. RISK, HAZARD AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Due to the geographic location and the geological formation and due to long coast line the project area is prone to both natural and manmade disasters and hazards. Due to various natural and human activities, disaster is inevitable. Disaster cannot be stopped completely or fully eliminated, but its adverse effects can be minimised by taking appropriate steps. Disaster Management is the sum total of the effects taken before, during and immediately after a disaster to minimise the damages.

In the present project disaster, hazard and risk and their management and mitigation fall under two broad categories as I. During construction II. Post construction

Broadly disasters can be classified as

Natural I. Cyclones, Storms and Tsunamigenic events II. Liquefaction of strata III. Erosion of coastlines

Manmade I. Accidents during transport, II. Rolling of rocks stacked in the stackyards and during transshipment, III. Oil and grease spills from machinery working on breakwater.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

In order to tackle the disasters the following objective with detailed plans are listed below.

Objectives and goals of the plan

When disaster threatens or strike a jurisdiction, people expect direct administration to take immediate action to solve their problems. A systematic approach is to treat each section as on phase of a comprehensive process, with each phase building on the accomplishments of the preceding one. The overall goal is to minimise the impact caused by an emergency in the jurisdiction.

The plan covers the broad sections of

I. Mitigation II. Preparedness III. Response and IV. Recovery

Mitigation

“Mitigation is any action of a long-term, permanent nature that reduces the actual or potential risk of loss of life or property from a hazardous event.” The action involves lasting, often permanent, reduction of exposure to, probability of or potential loss from hazard events. They tend to focus on where and how to build.

In order to minimize the impacts due to the disaster the zonation of the areas that are susceptible to any type hazards needs to be zoned. Based on the zoning the area will be marked with appropriate coloured flags/ markers. Areas as shelters or areas of medical facilities shall be far off from these zones. Areas that have risk of rolling boulders should be clearly marked and identified by flags.

Preparedness

“Preparedness is planning how to respond in case an emergency or disaster occurs and working to increase resources available to respond effectively.”

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

When mitigation can make communities safer, it does not eliminate risk and vulnerability for all hazards. Anticipated risks Contractors/Administration shall be ready to face emergency threats that have not been mitigated away. Since emergencies can often evolve rapidly and become too complex for effective improvisation, there needs an effective emergency management strategy. This will also help in minimizing the risks and potential hazard due to the anticipated risks. Standby crew along with ambulance and basic emergency facilities shall be kept at reach in case of any untoward incident.

Response

“Emergency response activities are conducted during the time period that begins with the detection of the event and ends with the stabilization of the situation following impact.”

The onset of an emergency creates a need for time-sensitive actions to save lives and property, as well as for action to begin stabilizing the situation so that the district can regroup. Such response actions include notifying emergency management personnel of the crisis, warning and evacuating or sheltering the population if possible, keeping the population informed, rescuing individuals and providing medical treatment, maintaining the rule of law, assessing damage, addressing mitigation issues that arise from response activities, and even requesting help from outside the district.

Recovery

Recovery refers to those non-emergency measures following disaster whose purpose is to return all systems, both formal and informal, to as normal as possible.

Recovery is the effort to restore infrastructure and the social and economic life of a community to normal, but it should incorporate mitigation as a goal. For the short term, recover may mean bringing necessary life line system upto an acceptable standard while providing for basic human needs. Once some stability

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

is achieved, the administration can begin recovery efforts for the long term, restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and family housing with attention to long term mitigation needs.

Disaster Impacts

 Disasters like Storm, Flood, Earth Quake and Tsunami causes injury and loss of life and damage to public and personal properties, soil erosion, silting, water pollution and increase in water salinity in general.  Potential impacts of fires are the burns, injuries and even loss of human life and property, disrupt services like overhead power and communication lines.  Potential impacts due to accidents include injuries and burns which demand surgical interventions, poisoning or exposure to toxic material, trauma and even  Loss of human life, property damage includes damage/loss of fishing vessels/crafts and other surface vehicles, mechanical devices and equipments used during construction and operational phases.  The potential impacts of industrial /chemical induced accidents may be pollution of the surface / river / estuarine water quality and significant damage to aquatic life and serious air pollution due to release of obnoxious gases.

Emergency Preparedness Plan

Seismic factor has been taken into account while designing the shape and structure of the proposed Groynes.

 Early warning message will be sent through radio communication to all vessels particularly those engaged in fishing as well as through public address system to the fishermen and FLC staff. Warning messages will also be sent through the local cable TV network.

WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Vembar, in Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District

 Appropriate medical services and effective rescue operations are required on war footing to limit post incident casualties as also to combat epidemics (through mass immunization particularly against water borne diseases) and evacuate the marooned / trapped individuals to safer places.  Proper steps are required to salvage the properties damaged from the debris and to protect the personal properties of the affected fishermen.  Suitable steps on war footing need to be adopted to restore all the essential services like electricity, water supply, telecommunication, transportation, etc.  Water quality monitoring mechanisms will have to be set up to prevent outbreak of epidemics.  Damage to road access due to land subsidence (secondary effects) should be immediately repaired and debris cleared with the help of PWD and local bodies.  In case of accidents, arrangement should be made with the local police, transport and taluk administration for extending support with the necessary mechanical devices like cranes, gas cutters, etc required for rescue operation as well as for clearing of the accident site.  Storage of fuel should be as per the rules and guidelines as laid down in the relevant statutes.  Adequate fire safety equipments e.g. extinguishers, dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, foam spray, water spray should be kept in the site office.  Good cables should be used for preventing short circuits in wiring.

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