STUDY ON COASTAL ENVIRONMENT AND MARINE WATER PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NAGAPATTINAM PORT- TAMILNADU, INDIA

Abstract

Increasing world population, the industrialization of nations and the re-shaping of national boundaries have caused substantial increase in the volume of ocean commerce. The world oceans contribution as a source of food, minerals and energy as the medium of sea borne international trade and as the basis for ocean dependent tourism, the global economy is much more significant than is generally realized. The shoreline is one of the most unique features on the earth surface. India has a coastal line of around 7517km and rational development of coastal areas, which form the habitat of 25% of the countries population, living within 60km of the shoreline. Tamilnadu with coastal length of 980km is second largest coast in India. The environmental impacts of port operations affect water, soil, air and all types of flora and fauna and humans. The types of local problems that may occur include accelerated erosion or accretion. The study of area of Nagapattinam port is in the Eastern side of Tamilnadu. This area is one of the vulnerable sites affected by Tsunami on 26 th December 2004, which caused great damages. India has a long coastline of about 7500 km including it's island territories. Ports handle about 95% of India's foreign trade by weight/volume through maritime transports. Harbour environment can be divided into four components -sea surface, shoreline, ocean, floor, and the body of the ocean composed of water columns and suspended sediments. Ports and harbour create local environmental problems Nagapattinam port is one of the minor port among 185 ports in India. They import cement and export edible oil and coconut cake. Now Government has sanctioned rupees fifty crores to extend the port. It plays important role for supply of diesel to Sethusamudram project. In this present study shoreline changes and the sediment dynamics were analyzed using toposheets, beach slope measurement and sample characteristics. The sediment transport directions during monsoon and post monsoon seasons were found. The results were compared with variation of monsoon.