Assessment of nutrients using multivariate statistical techniques in estuarine systems and its management implications: a case study from Cochin Estuary, India

Abstract

The status of nutrients in Cochin Estuary in relation with other physico‐chemical variables was assessed using monthly data from seven locations for a period of 3 years. Seasonal comparative assessments were made and the probable sources of nutrients were modelled using principal component analysis (PCA). The results pointed out that the nutrients have higher concentration in premonsoon season compared with other seasons. The correlation coefficients of nutrients pointed out that strong correlation exists indicating that their source of origin could be same. Factor analysis extracted three principal components (PCs) in which the first component attributed to run‐off, the second to influx of marine water and the third to intensive human activities. The proposed statistical model based on PCA gave a reasonable explanation on relation between physico‐chemical parameters and environmental factors which have far reaching implications in the management of water systems.

Nitrogen fixing potential of various heterotrophic Bacillus strains from a tropical estuary and adjacent coastal regions

“…CE is one of the largest estuarine systems located in the south west coast of India and lies between 9°40′ and 10° 12′ N latitude and 76° 10′ and 76° 30′ E longitude. It drains six major rivers in the zone of Kerala into the Arabian Sea through a narrow mouth of 50 m width . During the last decade CE has experienced the brunt of anthropogenic impacts from the developmental activities along the bank of the estuary.…”

Ecosystem analysis of the degrading Vembanad wetland ecosystem, the largest Ramsar site on the South West Coast of India — Measures for its sustainable management

“…The higher loading value of phosphate could possibly be attributed to the agricultural runoff with phosphate containing fertilizers and municipal discharge. Similarly in Cochin estuary, salinity and pH was found to exhibit higher loading values mainly attributed by low saline influx during monsoon season [87].…”

Study on the Influence of Water Physico Chemical Properties on Phytoplankton Population in Kirumampakkam and Korkadu Lakes, Pondicherry Region, India

“…Phytoplankton population was higher in the Kirumambakkam due to presents of higher nutrient content in water. Joseph and Ouseph (2010), states that diatom growth is dependent on supplies of available silica, which tends to decrease with phosphorus enrichment. Thus, the high concentrations of Nitzschia during study period are favored by the relatively low concentrations of phosphates.…”