Impact of lagoon outlet dynamics and heavy metal pollution on benthic foraminifera in Nellore coast, east coast of India: Implications for coastal development.

Landsat images reveal that the lagoon outlet periodically closes for short periods, impacting heavy metal concentrations, foraminiferal ecology and distribution. Strong northern winds induce oblique waves toward the coast, causing the lagoon mouth to close intermittently. The relationship between heavy metal concentrations and benthic foraminiferal species was examined during both lagoon mouth closure and opening.

An investigation into the influence of climate extreme on groundwater regimes and human health in the Periyar Basin: A fast growing urban centre in India.

A total of 212 groundwater samples were collected during North East Monsoon (NEM), South West Monsoon (SWM), Pre-Monsoon (PREM), and Post-Monsoon (POM) seasons of 2020-2021 from the Periyar River Basin, draining the south western flanks of Western Ghats. The analytical results revealed the order of abundance of cations as Ca > Na > Mg > K and anions in the order of HCO > Cl > SO > NO for all seasons. The major hydrochemical facies identified were CaHCO and mixed Ca-Mg-Cl in all the seasons with rock-water interaction as the key process regulating water chemistry.

Ecological responses of benthic foraminifera to trace element pollution in the Beypore estuary, Southwest coast of India: Implications for coastal anthropogenic contamination.

To investigate the sediment composition, pollution levels, and ecological health of the Beypore estuary in Kerala, Southwest coast of India, a comprehensive analysis was conducted. This area had previously experienced pollution from the Rayon factory, which was closed due to widespread opposition from both the government and the public. The study involved the collection and analysis of 12 shallow sediment samples, focusing on sediment characteristics, trace metal concentrations, and benthic foraminiferal responses.

Spatial distribution studies on sedimentary organic matter along the shoreline of Arabian Sea: insights from Kollam, Southwest Coast, India.

The present study was aimed at investigating the source, quality, and quantity of organic matter and labile fraction of biochemical constituents in the surficial sediments of Arabian Sea Shoreline at Kollam, India, which gives an input into the processes associated with the subsurface geochemistry pattern. About 15 surface sediment samples were collected from the five beaches for this study during January 2021. The samples were analyzed for CHN, total organic carbon (TOC), and labile fraction such as carbohydrates (CHO), proteins (PRO), and lipids (LIP).

Influence of COVID-19 lockdown on river water quality and assessment of environmental health in an industrialized belt of southern Western Ghats, India.

The COVID-19 pandemic and sudden lockdown have severely hampered the country's economic growth and socio-cultural activities while imparting a positive effect on the overall fitness of the environment especially air and water resources. Increased urbanization and rapid industrialization have led to rising pollution and deterioration of rivers and associated sectors such as agriculture, domestic and commercial needs. However, various available studies in different parts of the country indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the entire ecosystem.

Heavy metal impression in surface sediments and factors governing the fate of macrobenthic communties in tropical estuarine ecosystem, India.

The present study aims to investigate the contamination of heavy metals in the sediments of a tropical ecosystem, India, and to evaluate the factors responsible for the dominance of specific macrobenthic communities, particularly in estuarine sediments. For the analysis of Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments, acid digestion and subsequent quantification by microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was performed, whereas for Hg determination, cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used. The general trend of the heavy metal concentration was observed as Cr > Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd > Hg, regardless of any seasonal alteration.

Assessment of the impact of flood on groundwater hydrochemistry and its suitability for drinking and irrigation in the River Periyar Lower Basin, India.

Owing to the consequences of Anthropocene climate changes, extremes of weather and climate disasters such as heavy precipitation, tropical cyclones, and floods, have strengthened in every region across the globe and are badly affecting the earth system processes. The climate change has a tremendous impact in the Western Ghats, the UNESCO heritage site in India, and has to be studied in detail. Floods are the most common (and among the most deadly) natural disasters bringing heavy destruction in the Western Ghat river basins of India, and the Periyar basin is one among them.