Residence time of pollutants discharged in the Gulf of Kachchh, northwestern Arabian Sea.

A 2D Hydrodynamic-Particle Analysis model was applied to the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) to estimate the residence time of pollutants. The tidal currents in the Gulf have a strong E-W component, which prevents the material in the north being transported towards south. In the regions situated very close to the open boundary, where the GoK waters exchange freely with the northern Arabian Sea, dilution takes place rapidly with the incoming waters and hence, the residence time is on the order of 1 day. Influence of eddies and a dynamic barrier across the Sikka-Mundra section on the residence time is apparent. Eastern GoK shows a relatively large residence time, on the order of 2-4 days, warranting caution while releasing industrial wastes in the northeastern Gulf. The region around location-5 behaves like a bay; the dissolved matter gets trapped in this bay and the residence time increases by 3-4 days.

Factors controlling physico-chemical characteristics in the coastal waters off Mangalore--a multivariate approach.

Water quality parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, DO, BOD, suspended solids, nutrients, PHc, phenols, trace metals--Pb, Cd and Hg, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and phaeopigments) and the sediment quality parameters (total phosphorous, total nitrogen, organic carbon and trace metals) were analysed from samples collected at 15 stations along 3 transects off Karnataka coast (Mangalore harbour in the south to Suratkal in the north), west coast of India during 2007. The analyses showed high ammonia off Suratkal, high nitrite (NO(2)-N) and nitrate (NO(3)-N) in the nearshore waters off Kulai and high nitrite (NO(2)-N) and ammonia (NH(3)-N) in the harbour area. Similarly, high petroleum hydrocarbon (PHc) values were observed near the harbour, while phenols remained high in the nearshore waters of Kulai and Suratkal. Significantly, high concentrations of cadmium and mercury with respect to the earlier studies were observed off Kulai and harbour regions, respectively. R-mode varimax factor analyses were applied separately to surface and bottom water data sets due to existing stratification in the water column caused by riverine inflow and to sediment data. This helped to understand the interrelationships between the variables and to identify probable source components for explaining the environmental status of the area. Six factors (each for surface and bottom waters) were found responsible for variance (86.9% in surface and 82.4% in bottom) in the coastal waters between Mangalore and Suratkal. In sediments, 4 factors explained 86.8% of the observed total variance. The variances indicated addition of nutrients and suspended solids to the coastal waters due to weathering and riverine transport and are categorized as natural sources. The observed contamination of coastal waters indicated anthropogenic inputs of Cd and phenol from industrial effluent sources at Kulai and Suratkal, ammonia from wastewater discharges off Kulai and harbour, PHc and Hg from boat traffic and harbour activities of New Mangalore harbour. However, the strong seasonal currents and the seasonal winds keep the coastal waters well mixed and aerated, which help to disperse the contaminants, without significantly affecting chlorophyll-a concentrations. The interrelationship between the stations as shown by cluster analyses and depicted in dendograms, categorize the contamination levels sector-wise.

Thermohaline structure of an inverse estuary--The Gulf of Kachchh: measurements and model simulations.

The Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) is situated in the northeastern Arabian Sea. The presence of several industries along its coastal belt makes GoK a highly sensitive coastal ecosystem. In the present study, an attempt is made for the first time to study GoK thermohaline structure and its variability, based on field measurements and model simulations. Though GoK is considered as a well-mixed system, the study reveals that only the central Gulf is well mixed. Vertical gradients in temperature and salinity fields are noticed in the eastern Gulf, where a cold and high saline tongue is observed in the subsurface layers. Salinity indicates the characteristic feature of an inverse estuary with low values (37.20 psu) near the mouth and high values (>40.0 psu) near the head of the Gulf. The model simulated temperature and salinity fields exhibit semidiurnal oscillations similar to that of field observations. Model results show cold, high saline waters advecting from the east during ebb forming a transition zone, which oscillates with tides. A high salinity tongue is seen in the bottom layer, indicating a westward flowing bottom current. The transient zone acts as an dynamic barrier, and plays a vital role in the pollutant transport.

Trajectory of an oil spill off Goa, eastern Arabian Sea: field observations and simulations.

An oil spill occurred off Goa, west coast of India, on 23 March 2005 due to collision of two vessels. In general, fair weather with weak winds prevails along the west coast of India during March. In that case, the spill would have moved slowly and reached the coast. However, in 2005 when this event occurred, relatively stronger winds prevailed, and these winds forced the spill to move away from the coast. The spill trajectory was dominated by winds rather than currents. The MIKE21 Spill Analysis model was used to simulate the spill trajectory. The observed spill trajectory and the slick area were in agreement with the model simulations. The present study illustrates the importance of having pre-validated trajectories of spill scenarios for selecting eco-sensitive regions for preparedness and planning suitable response strategies whenever spill episodes occur.

BOD-DO modeling and water quality analysis of a waste water outfall off Kochi, west coast of India.

Water quality scenarios around an offshore outfall off Kochi were simulated using MIKE21 water quality model, assuming a high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD=50 mg l(-1)) effluent discharge. The discharge is introduced into the model through an outfall located at a distance of 6.8 km from the shore at a depth of 10 m. Three scenarios were simulated with different discharge rates such as 2, 5 and 10 m3 s(-1), with BOD load of 8640, 21,600 and 43,200 kg day(-1) respectively. Model simulations were carried out to estimate the assimilation capacity of the waters off Kochi for the three discharge rates. The results show that for 10 m3 s(-1) effluent discharge, the initial BOD of 50 mg l(-1) reduced to 3.33 mg l(-1) at the outfall after 48 h. High BOD values were confined to an elliptical area of approximately 8 km2 around the outfall. Based on this, the assimilative capacity of the waters off Kochi in terms of BOD can be estimated as 38,000 kg day(-1). It is suggested that offshore waters could be used as a feasible alternative to the Kochi backwaters for the disposal of treated effluent.

Dissolved oxygen--a target indicator in determining use of the Gulf of Kachchh waters.

Spatial and temporal variations of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK), India are assessed based on data collected since 1976. DO concentrations in the interior GoK vary within a narrow range (6.05-6.86 mg l(-1)), whereas near-shore waters show wider variations (3.5-7.8 mg l(-1)). The DO concentration levels in the Gulf waters are close to saturation, varying from 75.4% to 108.6%, which is much higher than the 60% saturation level set for the SW-1 waters. BOD-DO simulation shows that when effluents containing a BOD concentration of 50.0 mg l(-1) are introduced at three select locations, DO reduces from 5.1 mg l(-1) to 3.1, 5.0 and 3.8 mg l(-1), respectively, indicating a strong sensitivity to effluent load. Based on the DO analysis, BOD assimilation capacity of coastal waters around the Marine National Park (MNP) and Marine Sanctuary (MS) in the Gulf is determined. DO available for utilization for various categories of water use is illustrated, keeping in mind the ecology of MNP and MS areas. The significance of DO as a target indicator to zone the Gulf for different water use, is highlighted in this study.

Tidal eddies in a semi-enclosed basin: a model study.

A modeling study has been carried out to support a Marine Management Plan for the Gulf of Kachchh, India and here the hydrodynamic part of the programme is described. The hydrodynamic model accurately predicts the tides and tidal currents present in the Gulf and these have been validated with the measured data, albeit at only a few locations. The time averaged residual currents obtained from the model for one lunar cycle clearly reproduce the complex, small-scale, topographically induced flows with several eddies. The existence of a dynamic barrier along Sikka-Mundra section, which divides the Gulf into two distinct dynamic systems, is very evident. The model is further used to predict the movement of surface floating particles launched at different locations in the Gulf, as an aid to determining floating pollutants. The results indicate that industries discharging wastes upstream of the barrier should use extreme caution, as these will remain in the vicinity for at least one lunar cycle.

Oceanographic studies off Beypore Port, west coast of India to locate a dredge dumping site.

This study presents the salient results of the oceanographic investigations carried out along the west coast of India to locate a dumping site for the dredged material generated from the capital of the proposed development of the all weather port. Based on the results of movement of disposed material obtained from a 2 dimensional coastal circulation model and considering the possibility of having a navigational channel later on in line with the port, a dumping site is recommended at the 15 m water depth contour with coordinates: Latitude 11 degrees 07.00'; Longitude 75 degrees 45.60', where the environmental impacts on the ecosystem due to dumping operations is considered to be minimum.