Examining the socio-ecohydrological status of St. Martin's Island in Bangladesh

Abstract

One of the most popular tourist destinations is St. Martin's Island, which features a unique state of the socio-ecological environment of Bangladesh. However, tourists, other outsiders, and the island's growing human population significantly influence the overall standard of the socio-ecological environment, which is narrowly described in existing literature. The research aims to assess the state of the socio-ecological environment, particularly the quality of water, soil,flora and fauna, housing, economic activities, cropping pattern, and key degradation of the island. A questionnaire survey was used to assess housing patterns and ownership, drinking water sources, pollutants, vegetation, cropping patterns, and environmental issues. Furthermore, water samples from coastal regions and tube wells were obtained from 138 sampling points examined in the renowned laboratory of leading Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). Measurements were made of five physiochemical parameters such as pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), arsenic, and chlorine. The profile-based soil and sand samples were assessed based on Organic matter, Total Soluble Salt, pH, and CaCO3. The study found the saltwater along the coast of the island had a range of electrical conductivity from 371 to 7830, TDS from 194 to 8692 ppm, Cl concentration from 0.50 to 2.49 mg/l, arsenic content from 0.00 to 0.49, and pH from 5.50 to 8.09. The findings indicate that semi-brick accounted for 40% of the settlement while brick made up 19.7%, and 37.9% of the settlement was used for residential purposes, and 34.8% of it was made up for commercial purposes (e.g., hotels, resorts, restaurants etc.). Most hotels and residential areas used tube well water, and the study found that pollution from nearby and distant communities was the major cause of the environmental deterioration on island.