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Contamination of Uppanar River and coastal waters off Cuddalore, Southeast coast of India

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The study is based on physicochemical parameters (pH, DO, and salinity) and dissolved trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, and Cd) of Uppanar River water (RW) and surface and bottom coastal waters (CW) off Cuddalore, southeast coast of India in 56 samples collected during 2001. High concentration of Fe and Mn in RW and CW indicates enrichment above the normal level. Physicochemical parameters do not exhibit significant relationship with trace metals. Enrichment of Pb is due to external input and excess level of Cu, Pb, Zn in RW and Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb in CW is identified. Fe-Mn oxides are the chief scavengers of trace elements in both the aquatic environments and it is supported by geochemical, statistical and comparative studies. The results signify that industrial growth has affected the aquatic environments and regular monitoring will help to adopt stringent pollution control measures for better management of the aquatic region.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the UGC-SAP (Phase II), COSIST & DST-FIST programs awarded to the Department of Geology, University of Madras, India. TA thanks the financial assistance from University of Madras, Chennai, in the form of University Research Fellowship. Thanks are also due to Dr. G. Janaki Raman, NIOT, Chennai, and crew of CRV Sagar Purvi for offering professional support at sea. The authors thank Prof. S.P. Mohan, Dr. N. Rajeshwara Rao for their continuous encouragement during the course of this study. MPJ and JSA wish to express their gratefulness to Dr. Otilio Arturo Acevedo Sandoval, Dr. Kinardo Flores-Castro, CICT, UAEH. Financial assistance by SEP-PROMEP (Programa de Mejoramiento del Profesorado; Grant No: UAEHGO-PTC - 280 & 335), SIN-CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología), and PAI (Programa Anual de Investigación; Grant No: 69B & 70B), UAEH, HGO, Mexico, is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Pachuca, Hidalgo, C. P. 42184, Mexico

    M. P. Jonathan & J. S. Armstrong-Altrin

  2. Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India

    S. Srinivasalu & N. Thangadurai

  3. Department of Geology, School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600 025, India

    T. Ayyamperumal & V. Ram-Mohan

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  1. M. P. Jonathan
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  2. S. Srinivasalu
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  3. N. Thangadurai
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  4. T. Ayyamperumal
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  5. J. S. Armstrong-Altrin
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Correspondence to M. P. Jonathan.

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Revised manuscript submitted to Environmental Geology, March 2007.

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Jonathan, M.P., Srinivasalu, S., Thangadurai, N. et al. Contamination of Uppanar River and coastal waters off Cuddalore, Southeast coast of India. Environ Geol 53, 1391–1404 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0748-0

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