GEOGRAPHY S.B.

Name: Keeshan Ramkissoon

Candidate Number:
School: St. Marys College
School Code:
Teacher: Ms. Gangaram
Year: 2008-2009
Topic: Pollution Environmental Degradation
Title: What are the causes of pollution in the Couva River located
in Trinidad W.I.?

GEOGRAPHY S.B.A

Name: Keeshan Ramkissoon

Candidate Number:
School: St. Marys College
School Code:
Teacher: Ms. Gangaram
Year: 2008-2009
Topic: Pollution Environmental Degradation
Title: What are the causes of pollution in the Couva River located
in Trinidad W.I.?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

Page No.

1. Aim of Study

2. Location Maps

3. Methodology

4. Presentation of Data

5. Analysis and Discussion

14

6. Conclusion

16

7. Bibliography

17

AIM OF STUDY
What are the types and causes of pollution in the Couva River, Trinidad, W.I.?
What are some possible solutions to the causes of pollution?

LOCATION MAPS
Map of Trinidad

Map of Chaguanas to San Fernando

Map of Couva

METHODOLOGY

How data was collected?

Information was obtained by going on a field trip to the actual site where photos were taken,
field sketches drawn and physio-chemical data collected. Searching the internet and using
maps from atlases were done also.
Five tests were used to collect data - pH, salinity, temperature, turbidity and width. The pH and
salinity were measured using a pH meter and salinity meter respectively. These tests were done
by inserting the meters into the water until a reading came up on the digital screen.
Temperature was measured with a thermometer by inserting it into the water until the final
reading was seen on the Celsius scale. Turbidity was measured with a secchi disc or a turbidity
meter where the water level was too low. The secchi disc was lowered into the water until its
colour could not be seen and then the length of its string was measured. The turbidity meter
was filled with water until the colours at its base could not be seen. A measuring tape was used
to measure the width of the river but estimations were used where it was impossible to use the
tape.
When data was collected?
The data was collected at low tide on May 19, 2008 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Where data was collected?
The data was collected at the six sites along the Couva River, Couva, Trinidad, W.I. (see Map
3).

PRESENTATION OF DATA
Site 1
This site was located under the Couva Bridge near the 25km marker on the south bound lane of
the Solomon Hochoy Highway.
On the northern side of the bridge there was a concrete embankment on which there was moss
and dirt at different levels (indicators of water levels in the rainy season). The river level was
low and the channel narrow as it was the dry season.
Several pollutants such as plastic bottles, deeyas, old clothing, a laundry hamper, crocos bags
and a large metal railing was noted in the river. In the river there were animals such as river
guppies, tadpoles and snails as well as algae. Algae and snails are a sign that the water contains
many nutrients.

Readings

pH
7.1

Salinity
1140

Temperature Turbidity
25
83

Width
1.2

Table 1: Physio-chemical data from Site 1

Figure 1

Site 2
At this site, two sets of tests were taken (upstream and downstream of effluent channel). This
site was located in Point Lisas near the Orange Valley Road Bridge. The effluent channel
contained hot water from the industries nearby.

pH
Upstream
7.1
Effluent
Downstream 7.2

Salinity
>2000
>2000

Temperature
30
43
39

Turbidity
54
43

Width
8
8

Table 2: Physio-chemical data from Site 2

Figure 2

10

Site 3
This site was used as a photo stop.

Photo 2 showing the Couva River from the Orange Valley Road

11

Site 4
This site was located alongside the Carli Bay Road. There was elephant grass and trees and a
lot of crab holes on the banks. There were lots of plastic bottles in the river and a pungent
odour was detected.

Readings

pH
7.2

Salinity
>2000

Temperature Turbidity
33
83

Width
10

Table 3: Physio-chemical data from Site 4

Figure 3

12

Site 5
This site was located in the Carli Bay mangrove. There was mangrove trees growing on both
banks and their pneumatophores were seen sticking out from the ground. There were lots of
crab holes near the river. There was still the pungent smell and the water appeared black.

Readings

pH
7.1

Salinity
>2000

Temperature Turbidity
35
50

Width
10

Table 4: Physio-chemical data from Site 5

Figure 4

13

Site 6
This site was at the river mouth and was located at Cangrejos Point. There was mangrove on
either side of the banks, the water appeared black and the odour of sulphur was still smelt. The
secchi disc was used and the width was estimated.

Readings

pH
7.1

Salinity
>2000

Temperature Turbidity
34
54

Width
12

Table 5: Physio-chemical data from Site 6

Figure 5

14

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Pollution can be defined as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological
environment which affects the quality of life in that area by mans interference. The main type
of pollution occurring in the Couva River (see map 3), is water pollution which can be subdivided into thermal pollution, eutrophication and wastewater.
Thermal pollution is a temperature change in natural bodies of water caused by human
influence. Pt. Lisas is an industrial area which has ammonia and methanol plants. These
industries take sea water from the Gulf-of-Paria to cool their machinery and after it is used, it is
dumped into the river at a higher temperature. Increase in water temperature can affect the
ecosystem by decreasing oxygen supply and killing fish. A possible solution is to use cooling
reservoirs or towers to lower the water temperature before releasing it into the river. The source
of thermal pollution can be found at site 2 (see Figure 6).

Figure 6
Sea water contains salt and when released into the river, the salinity of the water raises
causing problems for freshwater organisms. The salinity of the water after Site 1 was over 2000
(see Figure 7) because of the effluent stream. Industries could use over the same water, many
times, once it has been cooled so that lesser amounts of the sea water would enter the river.

Figure 7
Eutrophication is an increase in chemical nutrients (nitrogen or phosphorus compounds) in an
ecosystem which leads to a lack of oxygen in the water and promotes excessive plant growth and
15

decay. Couva is a residential and agricultural area and nitrates in chemical fertilizers and phosphates
in detergents can be washed into the river from homes and gardens. As vegetation decays in the
water, tannins are leached out, causing a rise in turbidity. To solve these problems, organic
fertilizers could be used and a proper drainage system should be put in place in residential areas
Eutrophication along with the aggravation of river bed sediment by the effluent channel raises
turbidity levels (see Figure 8).

Figure 8
Wastewater comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial
properties, industry, and agriculture. Wastewater not only comes from residential and
agricultural areas, but also from the Pt. Lisas Industrial Estate and commercial entities such as
the Atlantic Food Plaza. However, the chemical composition of the river did not vary much
(see Figure 9).

Figure 9
Land pollution is also a major problem. Garbage can block the river and lead to flooding in
nearby areas and if the garbage (as seen in Site 1) reaches the Gulf of Paria, it would make the
west coast beaches unfit for swimming. Educating people on the proper disposal of waste may
help decrease the amount of solid waste and there should be strict penalties for illegal dumping
of garbage in the river.

CONCLUSION
16

The Couva River was found to be highly polluted by water pollution (thermal,
eutrophication and wastewater) and by land pollution. The river has been subjected to many
years of pollution and has been greatly affected by it. The causes of pollution were determined
to be the improper disposal of liquid and solid waste from the surrounding industries and
communities. The effluent stream caused thermal pollution and residents of Couva contributed
to eutrophication and land pollution while both made wastewater.
There are many solutions to the problems of the river which include drafting new
environmental policies, implementing laws against pollution and by finding environmentally
friendly ways of doing industrial activities. Thermal pollution could be reduced by using
cooling towers or reservoirs and the salinity of the river could be less affected if lesser volumes
of sea water are used. A proper drainage and sewage system and the use of organic fertilizers
could stop eutrophication and prevent wastewater in the river. Proper disposal of solid waste
can lead to less garbage and a more scenic Couva River.
We are responsible for the way the river is now by creating industries and building homes
and farms so near it and by not following simple guidelines for the protection of our
environment. It is by our doing that the river is in the state it is in now so we should try to
make the river return to normality as it is the only thing we could do the save the wildlife here.

17

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Wilson, Mark. The Caribbean Environment for CXC Geography. Oxford, 2005
2. Gentles, Marolyn and Ottley, Jeanette. Longman Geography for CSEC. Harlow:
Pearson Education, 2005
3. Certificate Atlas for the Caribbean, 5th Edition, London, Philips, 2004.
4. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wastewater 2nd
November, 2008
5. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophication 11th
September, 2008
6. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_pollution
11th September, 2008

18