International Journal of Environmental Studies

ISSN: 0020-7233 (Print) 1029-0400 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/genv20

Pollution due to coir retting and its effect on

estuarine flora and fauna

K. N. Remani , E. Nirmala & S. R. Nair

To cite this article: K. N. Remani , E. Nirmala & S. R. Nair (1989) Pollution due to coir retting and
its effect on estuarine flora and fauna, International Journal of Environmental Studies, 32:4,
285-295, DOI: 10.1080/00207238908710469

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207238908710469

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 Intern. J. Environmental Studies, 1989, Vol. 32, pp. 285-295 © 1989 Gordon and Breach Science Publishers Inc.
Reprints available directly from the Publisher Printed in the United Kingdom
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POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING AND ITS

EFFECT ON ESTUARINE FLORA AND FAUNA
K. N. REMANI, E. NIRMALA and S. R. NAIR
Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kunnamangalam,
P.O. Calicut, Kerala, India
(Received May 7, 1988)

One of the striking features of Kerala state is the continuous chain of lagoons or backwaters existing along
the coastal region. The backwaters support rich and diverse life forms and provide crucial nurseries for
shrimps and fishes as well as habitat for oysters, clams and mussels which later enrich the ocean and make
Kerala the principal exporter of marine products amongst the states of India. The shallow fringes of the
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backwaters and the channels drawn from them are used for retting of coconut husk. It adversely affects
the productivity of the backwaters and is harmful to marine fisheries. The retting of coconut husks in
backwaters is brought about by the pectinolytic activity of micro organisms especially bacteria fungi and
yeasts degrading the fibre binding materials of the husk and liberating large quantities of organic matter
and chemicals into the environment, including pectin, pentosan, tannins, polyphenols, etc. Consequently
hydrogen sulphide, phosphate and nitrate contents increase while dissolved oxygen and community
diversity of plankton decrease in the ambient waters during the retting process. The present study is to
evaluate pollution due to coir retting activity and its influence on quality of water and estuarine flora and
fauna.
KEY WORDS: Backwaters, retting, productivity, community, estuary, pollution, benthos, flora and
fauna, plankton.

INTRODUCTION
The coir fibres from coconut husks are extracted by the practice of retting which
involves dumping piles of coconut husks in shallow backwaters. Retting in water
causes separation of leathery exocarp from the fibrous mesocarp, which is an
assemblage of individual fibres with the cork like parenchymatous cells containing
the cementing materials dispersed throughout the mass. The elastic cellular cork like
material forming the nonfibrous tissues of the husk is generally known as pith. This
accounts for 50-70% of the total weight of the husk and the remainder constitutes
pectic substances and polyphenols.1 Retting is brought about by the pectinolytic
activity of micro organisms especially bacteria, fungi and yeasts degrading the fibre
binding material of the husks and liberating large quantities of organics and
chemicals into the environment including pectin, pentosan, tannins, polyphenols
into the ambient water.2 Thus coir retting becomes a source of pollution of the
backwater system of Kerala. It adversely affects the backwaters and is harmful to
marine products. The main objective of this investigation was to ascertain the nature
of pollution due to coir retting, its influence on quality of water and estuarine flora
and fauna.

CLASSIFICATION OF RETTING YARDS

A survey of the backwaters having retting activities was conducted to classify retting
yards based on areas as well as quantity of husk used for retting. Figure 1 represents
285
 286 K. N. REMANI, E. NIRMALA AND S. R. NAIR

N
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I TRIVANDRUM 2 KANIYAPURAM
3NEDUNGANDA 4 PARAVUR
SMANGAO 6 PARAKULAM
7ALUNKADAVU 8 ARATTUPUZHA
9MUTHUKULAM 1OALLEPPEY
IISHERTALAI I2THANNEERMUKKAM
13 VAIKOM I4KUM8ALANGI
I5VY*PEEN I6NARAKKAL
17 PAROOR I8CRANGAN00R
19 MANALUR 2OCHAVGHAT
21 KADALUNDI 22BEYPORE
23KALLAI 24KOZHIKO0E
25QUILAN0I 26VALARPATANAM

Figure 1 The backwaters and important retting areas in Kerala.

the major backwaters and important retting areas in Kerala. The retting area in
Kozhikode extends from Elathur on the north to Kadalundi on the south. Figure 2,
the yards surveyed were classified into three following categories based on hydrolo-
gical characteristics, size of the yard and method of coir extraction.

Retting Yards in Canals

In Payyanakkal, Elathur and Perumugham husks are retted in canals connected to
rivers. In Payyanakkal, retting is carried out in the canals which have influence of
water from the Kallai river and the Beypore river on either side and a free connection
to the sea (Figure 2). In the Perumugham area retting is carried out in the canals
derived from the Beypore river. In all these areas pits of four to five meters deep are
dug out in canals for dumping the husks.
 POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING i 287

Retting in the Estuarine Portion of the River

Large scale retting is carried out in the estuarine portions of rivers which are
influenced by tides. Husks are bundled together, called "malis," and dumped into
water. Stakes are built to avoid the husks being carried away by the tides. Cheruvan-
nur, Ramanattukara and Kadalundi areas in Beypore estuary, Irrigalore, Palazhi
and Olavanna in Kallai estuary and Eranjikal, Thalakulathur and Kuniyakkadavu in
Korapuzha estuary are of these category.

Retting in Rocky Pits

In some areas cavities in rocks on the sea shore serve as retting sites. The space
between adjacent rocks/cavities in the rock on the seashore are dug out 5-7 ft deep.
Husks are dumped into these rocky pits for retting purposes.
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METHODS AND MATERIALS

Samples of water and sediments were collected regularly during the high tide and low
tide periods for one year at different depths from both polluted and unpolluted
stations using Mayer type bottom samplers for physicochemical and biological
analysis. Benthic samples were collected using van Veen grab (0.048 m2) and macro-
benthos were separated by sieving through (0.5 mm) mesh. Fishing was conducted
using cast net. All analysis were carried out according to standard methods for the
analysis of water and sediments.3"5 Studies on physiochemical and biological char-
acteristics of water and sediments were conducted at two stations polluted due to
intensive coir retting and an unpolluted region in the same backwater. Representa-
tive retting yards in Kadalundi were selected for this purpose (Figure 2).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The hydrological condition regarding rainfall and river discharge during 1982-1983
are presented in Figure 3. For practical purposes the seasons are conveniently
divided into three periods: the monsoon, characterised by south-west wind having
heavy rainfall (June to September) the post monsoon (October to January) and the
pre-monsoon (February to May). The maximum rainfall was experienced during
July-August and the recorded total rainfall for the period being 3512 mm. The
maximum discharge was found in July-August during the monsoon period. Vari-
ations of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, hydrogen ion concentration, elec-
trical conductivity, hydrogen sulphide concentration, phosphate and nitrate
(seasonal average) in the retting and nonretting zones were statistically analysed.

Temperature
Seasonal variations in temperature are well pronounced. The surface water tempera-
ture ranged from 25°C to 32°C. The lowest was recorded during monsoon period.
The temperatures during post monsoon were generally medium and highest during
pre-monsoon period. No significant effect was noticed in the retting and non-retting
areas.
 TSIO'
KER ALA

II
30 1
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RFFERENCES
COASTAL LIN» —— 15'
TALUK «OMMOA*>
RIVCIt » 1TRIAMS - c ^ ^
RETTIII* A DC AS •
SCALE |:25O00O
0 5 10

Figure 2 Representative retting yards in Kozhikode.

 POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING 289

RAINFALL

900H RIVER DISCHARGE

700H

- 500H
LU
o
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5 300-

us
>

100-

J F M A M J J A S O
Figure 3 Monthly rainfall and river discharge at the retting zone.

Dissolved Oxygen
Tidal and seasonal variations in dissolved oxygen found to be appreciable in the
retting zones. Dissolved oxygen in the retting yards was found to be depleted and was
minimum during pre-monsoon. In non-polluted areas, aerated conditions exist
throughout the season (Figure 4). This accounts for better fish population in the non-
retting areas. Productivity in the retting areas were negligible due to depletion of
dissolved oxygen.
Variation in hydrogen ion concentration (mean values) the controlled and retting
yard during the monsoon, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period are represented in
Figure 5. In retting sites the pH varied from 4.2 to 5.6 while in non-retting sites it was
7.1 to 7.8. Slightly lower pH values were noted in the retting yard. This may be due to
the pectinolytic hydrolysis of the organic matter present in the husk. One of the
products of hydrolysis was polyphenols.

Electrical Conductivity
Variation of electrical conductivity of water at retting and non-retting yards are
practically negligible. In general higher salinity prevailed during the pre-monsoon
period. During monsoon, a sudden drop in salinity was noticed due to the heavy
rainfall.
 290 K. N. REMANI, E. NIRMALA AND S. R. NAIR

. SURFACE, RETTING
O O O g—O BOTTOM, CONTROL
SURFACE, CONTROL
X X X X X BOTTOM, RETTING
8-

7-

6-

5-
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£
Q.
Q.
3-
LJ
O
X PRE MONSOON MONSOON POSTMONSOON
o
Q
HIGH TIDE

PRE MONSOON MONSOON POST MONSOON

LOW TIDE
Figure 4 Variation of dissolved oxygen in the retting areas.
 POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING 291

SURFACE, RETTING
O O O O O BOTTOM, CONTROL
SURFACE, CONTROL
X—X X X X BOTTOM, RETTING

X
a. 7 -
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PRE MO N SOON MO N SCO N POST MONSOON

HIGH TIDE

8-

X
Q.

7 -

PRE MONSOON MONSOON POST MONSOON

LOW TIDE
Figure 5 Variation of pH in the retting zone.
 292 K. N. REMANI, E. NIRMALA AND S. R. NAIR

Phosphate, Nitrate and Hydrogen Sulphide

It was noted that the phosphate and nitrate contents account for an increase in the
retting yards. The PO^-P concentration ranged from 0.2 mg/L to 1.30 mg/L in the
retting zone and 0.06 to 0.9 mg/L in non-retting zone. The values for NOl-N ranged
from 0.03 mg/L to 1.35 mg/L in retting yard and 0.02 mg/L to 0.95 mg/L in non-retting
area. H2S is greater in retting yard and ranged from 0.50 mg/L while in non-retting
yard it is practically nil. This may be due to the conversion of FeSCU present in the
water to FeS which further decomposes to H2S. SO "4 ion acts as a donor of oxygen for
the microbial activity during the retting process.

Effect of Retting on Fishery Wealth

Survey of fishery wealth showed that in retting zones the fishery was adversely
affected in terms of community diversity as well as zoomass productivity. Certain
tolerant species like Arius sp., Etroplus sp. etc. were found in the retting zone. The
non-retting area supports a good fish population with diverse community structure.
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Common species observed were Mugil sp., Leiognathus sp., Anchoviella sp. etc.
(Table I). The fish biomass in retting and non-retting yards were 20 kg/hectare/
month and 60.6 kg/hectare/month, respectively.

Table I Variation in fish fauna in retting and control stations

Post monsoon Pre monsoon Monsoon
Name of SDecies
numbers/ha. Retting .Control Retting Control Retting Control
1. Arius sp. 3,200 2,400 2,400 1,600
2. Ambassis sp. — 1,600 — — — —
3. Anchoviella — 800 1,600
4. Cynoglossus sp. — — — 1,600 — —
5. Diodon — 400 800 8
6. Etroplus sp. 200 2,400 1,600 800 — —
7. Leiognathus — — 3,200 1,600 — 2,400
8. Mugil sp. — — — 200 — 800
9. Sillago sp. — — — 2,400 — —
10. Triacanthus — — 800 8 8
11. Penaeus sp. — 20,000 — 1,600 — 2,400
12. Scylla sp. 800 1,600 — 1,600 — —
13. Vellorita sp. — — — 8,800 — —

Benthos
Diverse pattern of distribution of benthic fauna existed in the retting zone. Among
the benthic community, polychaete dominated followed, by crustaceans and mol-
luscs in retting yard (Table II). Polychaetes accounted for 60% and was represented
mainly by capitellids and spionids. Among polychaetes paraheteromastus tenuis, a
capitellid polychaete was found in high population densities. Paraheteromastus
tenuis, which is omnivorous in feeding habit, is found to benefit by the polluted
conditions and dominate the other organisms (Figure 6). Prionospio Polybranchiata,
a spionid polychaete, also indicates its tolerance occurring in appreciable abun-
dance. The polychaetes Diapatra neapoliatana, Perinereis cavifrons and Nephthys
polibranchiata, which are observed to be sensitive, are scarcely distributed in the
 POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING 293

Table II Benthic fauna in retting and control station

Pre monsoon Post monsoon Monsoon
1^1 dlXlW \JL LI1C Wl E* d i l l d i l l
number/meter2 Retting Control Retting Control Retting Control

Polychaetes
1. Diapatra neapoliatana — 100 — — — 5
2. Nephthys polybranchiata — 25 — — — 20
3. Paraheteromastus tenuis 586 40 240 3 155 3
4. Perinereis cavifrons 25 — 20 220 45 80
5. Prinospio polybranchiata 155 20 105 3 108 3
Crust aceans
6. Tanidaceae 60 45 —
7. Amphipod — 5 — 3 — —
8. Molluscs
Meritrix casta — 10 — 40 — —
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too.
RETTING YARD
<
9O

z CONTROL
(/> 70J

(0 50-
<
g 4O|
UJ

»o

PRE MONSOON MONSOON POST MONSOON

Figure 6 Percentage of Paraheteromastus tenuis/m2 in the retting zone.
 294 K. N. REMANI, E. NIRMALA AND S. R. NAIR

Table i n Macroplankton in retting yard compared to control site

Name of the
organisms Pre monsoon Monsoon Post monsoon
SI. number of species/
no. 20 1 Retting Control Retting Control Retting Control
1. Calanus 8 101 9
2. Cyclops 50 32 — 92
3. Cypris 6 2 — 2 6
4. Nauplius 8
5. Veliger larvae 2 1

retting yards. The abundance of molluscs and crustaceans is greater towards the
non-retting zone, compared to retting yards. Crustaceans are comprised of Tani-
daceans and amphipods.
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Plankton
Macroplankters included mainly crustaceans like cyclops, calanus, cypris and Nau-
plius larvae. Molluscs were represented by gastropods and veliger larvae. No
significant variation in the distribution and abundance of macrofauna was noticed in
retting and non-retting zone (Table III). Microplankters included mainly proto-
zoans, rotifers and phytoplankters. The green algae, Ankistrodesmus, closterium,
Scenedesmus, ulothrix and diatoms like cyclotella, Stephanodiscus, Surirella Dia-
toma, Biddulphia etc. were present. Dominance of the filter clogging algae cyclotella
was observed in the retting zone. Phytoplankton in the retting zone was compara-

RETTINGYARD- ZOO PLANKTON

I RETTING YARD- PHYTO PLANKTON

CONTROL
CONTROL
- ZOO PLANKTON
—PHYTOPLANKTON
a 300.
o
8
a 250-
z

200-

£
o 150-
z
o
100-
55
2

MONSOON MONSOON POST MONSOON

Figure 7 Percentage composition of phyto- and zoo-plankton in the retting zone.
 POLLUTION DUE TO COIR RETTING 295

Table IV Microplankton in the retting yard compared to the control site

SI. Name of the organisms

no. in 2 lit x 104 Retting Control

Chlorophyceae
1. Ankistrodesmus 11 13
2. Closterium 18 13
3. Scenedesmus 11 8
4. Ulothrix 47 14
Bacillariaceae (diatoms)
1. Cyclotella 146 64
2. Stephanodiscus 24 22
3. Diatoma 6 3
4. Nitzschia 9
5. Navicula 32 20
6. Pinnularia 25 6
7. Surirella 95 3
Cyanophycae (blue green algae)
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1. Oscillatoria 6 3

tively higher than in the non-retting zone (Figure 7). Pinnularia, Ulothrix and
Scenedesmus were common in both the control and retting zones. The abundance of
phytoplankton in the retting zone may be due to the availability of organic nutrients
in large scale (Table IV).

CONCLUSIONS
In Kozhikode Taluk retting of coconut husk is carried out by natural process rather
than by a mechanical process. Classification of retting yards were made based on
hydrology, area and amount of retting processes. The process of retting is found to
cause pollution problems in river mouths and backwaters. Tidal effect is found to
minimise the effect of pollution to a certain extent. Adverse effects of pollution are
well marked on the local fishery of these areas. It adversely affects the productivity of
the backwaters and is harmful to marine fisheries. The community diversity as well as
productivity of useful organisms is adversely affected by retting activity. Hence the
environment of retting yards is antagonistic to marine fishes and shrimps.

Acknowledgement
The authors are indebted to Dr P. Basak, Executive Director in-charge, CWRDM for encouragement and
facilities.

References
1. J. V. Bhat, Third International Congress on the Global Impacts of Applied Microbiology Bombay-39
(1969).
2. N. P. Jayasankar and K. P. V. Menon, "Microbial flora of a few coconut retting areas" Coir 5(3),
33-36 (1961).
3. APHA, "Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water" 15th ed. Am. Pub. Health
Assoc, Washington, DC (1980).
4. J. D. H. Strickland and T. R. Parsons, "A practical handbook of sea water analysis" Bulletin 167 Fish.
Res. Bd. Can. (1972).
5. H. L. Golterman and R. S. Clymo, "Methods for chemical analysis of fresh water" IBP Handbook
No. 8, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford and Edinburgh (1969).