The Scenario of Free Carbon Dioxide Availability in the Upper and Lower Strata of Ashtamudi Estuary

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue IV, April 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705

The Scenario of Free Carbon Dioxide Availability in the Upper and Lower Strata of Ashtamudi Estuary

Divya. S. Rajan

Guest Lecturer, P.G Department of Zoology, Christian College, Chengannur, Kerala, India

Abstract:-Wetlands, the most productive ecosystems, and in terms of economic and ecosystem service values they outweigh forest ecosystems. The major reason for its drastic decline is the failure to consider wetland as a productive unit of land. They have always been at one time or other a community dumping site of waste of industrial, commercial, agricultural, municipal or domestic orgin, Ashtamudi estuary is one of the major estuarine systems of the south west coast of India. It is an open system as there is no sand bar formation in any season during the course of an year. The Thekkumbhagam creek of this fragile ecosystem that constitute a great potential for economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value to human. At present this estuary is facing many threats like pollution, over-fishing, sand mining, bank erosion and loss of mangroves. The present investigation was undertaken in the light of the lacuna that exists in our scientific understanding of the nature of the seasonal variations of free carbon dioxide in accordance with rainfall availability. The carbon dioxide of surface water values ranges from 0 to 20.68 ppm and bottom water from 0 to 17.62ppm. The study is particularly relevant in the context of the ever increasing threat to the estuarine ecosystem from various sources of pollution. Decisions concerning the protection of these wetland have to be undertaken.

Key Words: – Dissolved oxygen, free carbondioxide, physico-chemical, sustainable, estuary

I. INTRODUCTION

Estuarine ecosystems are very unique with respect to biodiversity as well as the services provided to the community. As an ‘ecotone’ between fresh and marine environments, estuaries generally contain a mixture of fresh water and oceanic species. With the sudden increase of population and rapid economic development, these areas are facing many ecological problems. The physico-chemical parameters of water and the dependence of all life process of these factors make it desirable to take water as an environment. A chain of brackish water systems exists in Kerala. The knowledge on the hydrographic parameters of an estuarine environment is of great importance while attempting to characterize its general features. It is important to have a comprehensive data of the seasonal variations of hydrographic features in an estuary.

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