Seasonal variations of trace metal accumulation on coral reef in Gulf of Mannar, India.

ABSTRACT

Investication of trace metal occumulation on coral and reef environment (sediment and water) of the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve was studied during July 2007 to June 2008. The samples were collected for analyzing from Thoothukudi and Vembar group of Islands, Gulf of Mannar. The concentration of trace metal in the water are in the order of Fe > Pb > Zn > As > Mn > Cd > Cu and in sediment in the order of Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu >Cd and in coral rubbles in the order of Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. In the waters the iron ranks first and copper ranks last; in the sediment iron ranks first in concentration and cadmium ranks the last. In corals the iron ranks first and cadmium ranks the last in concentration and during the entire study periods. SPSS two tailed Correlation coefficients between the months and the temporal variablilities of heavy metals were assessed using the monthly data for each component in all stations and analysis of variances (f values) for the water, sediment and coral rubbles between the stations and month during the study period. Conclude that the values recorded at Thoothukdi group of islands were little higher than the Vembar group of islands, and it might be due to discharges pumped from the industrial belt of Thoothukudi, domestic sewages from Thoothukudi town, harbour activities and thermal power plant operation along the southern side of the Gulf of Mannar.