International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology ISSN (Online):2278-5299

Volume 4, Issue 2: Page No.112-117, March-April 2015

http://www.mnkjournals.com/ijlrst.htm

ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL FLUX OF WATER

QUALITY AROUND MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN
MANAKUDY ESTUARY, SOUTHWEST COAST OF
INDIA, BY STATISTICAL APPROACH
Sugirtha P.Kumar and M.S.Sheela
Department of chemistry and Research centre, Women’s Christian college
Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
email : s_prasannak@yahoo.com
Abstract: Spatial and temporal variations of various parameters in the water of small mangrove situated on the southwest coast of India.
The water quality generally reflects the impact of the sea water on the Manakudy estuary (mixing effect) aided by evaporation and in situ
biological productivity. pH of surface and bottom waters varied from 7.18-8.05. EC of surface and bottom waters varied from 2.83-5.06
dS/m. TDS of surface and bottom waters varied from 2.71-3.98 ppt. Carbonate of surface and bottom waters varied from 36.3-85.3 mg/L.
Bicarbonate of surface and bottom waters varied from 11.3-27.2 mg/L. Nitrate and phosphates are contributed by fertilizer input from
adjoining agriculture fields. Statistical analysis confirms the multiple sources controlling mangrove water chemistry. Factor analysis and
cluster analysis of water show the complexity of the system and the multitude of contributing sources. The paired-t test provides an
hypothesis test of the difference between population means for a pair of random samples whose differences are approximately normally
distributed. The study reveals the lesser impact of anthropogenic signatures in the Manakudy mangrove ecosystem.
Keywords: Mangrove, Water, Physicochemical parameters, Manakudy
I. INTRODUCTION physiological processes, of months to years for tree growth
In mangroves and coastal waters, factors related to water and replacement, and of decades to centuries for regional
quality such as temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen forest changes (Twilley et al. 1996). Water quality is affected
and nutrients are particularly important for determining the by a wide range of natural and anthropogenic influences.
biological factors and ecosystem functions. Many mangrove Natural processes (hydrological-dilution, evaporation,
environments are receiving pollutants due to varied activities percolation, leaching, suspension and settling, physical-
taking place around the mangrove areas and with the flowing volatilization. Adsorption, desorption and diffusion,
freshwaters, thus resulting in the degradation of water chemical- photo degradation, acid/base reactions,
quality. Estuarine wetlands are known to contribute to the oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions, dissolution of particles
maintenance of water quality. Because wetlands have a high and precipitation of minerals, biological- decomposition of
rate of biological activity, they are effective in transforming organic matter, bioaccumulation and biomagnifications) may
many of the common pollutants found in coastal and affect the characteristics and concentration of chemical
estuarine waters into harmless by-products or essential elements and compounds in water.
nutrients which can be utilized for additional biological II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
activity. Mangroves are typically distributed from mean sea Study location
level to highest spring tide, and perhaps the most conspicuous Kanyakumari District is located on the Southern extremity
feature on first glance is the sequential change of tree species of the Indian Peninsula between lat 802’ and 804’N and
parallel to shore. Many factors have been suggested to between long 77026’ and . 77030’E The district receives
account for the apparent zonation of trees and other heavy rains during the South west (June to August) and North
associated organisms across the intertidal seascape. These east monsoons (October to December). Pazhayar is one of the
include salinity, soil type and chemistry, nutrient content, main river systems in the District and this river takes its
physiological tolerances, predation and competition (Smith origin at the Western ghats. From the place of its origin it
1992). Some of these factors, such as competition, remain traverses 23.1km before entering the Arabian Sea through the
essentially unstudied; the results of recent studies are Manakudy estuary.
conflicting, prohibiting generalizations about the mechanisms
governing zonation. It is more likely that a few of these The Manakudy estuary is the confluence of river Pazhayar
factors in combination come into play over different temporal and has an area of about 150ha. It is a sand built estuary
and spatial scales to control mangrove distribution (Bunt connected to the sea during the rainy season. During the
1996; Ball 1998). For an individual tree, several factors period of total occlusion of the river mouth, the estuarine
operate intandem to regulate plant growth, including water swells due to heavy inflow of water from the head of
temperature, nutrients, solar radiation, oxygen and water the estuary and also by the land drainage. During heavy
(Clough 1992). For a mangrove ecosystem, natural changes inflow into the estuary the sand bar opens up under the force
occur on the scale of minutes to hours for microbial and of gravity. Compared to the expanse of the estuarine area, the
bar mouth is relatively small and even during summer

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months the local people cut open the bar mouth and the Analysis of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were done
estuary has open access to the sea. titrimetically as described by Shapiro and Brannock (1956)
Manakudy estuary abounds with fishery resources and has precipitates calcium at the pH of the test. Chloride (Cl) was
neighbouring fishing helmets. There are no major industries, analysed by silver nitrate method (Mohr’s method or
however three small-scale industries, viz coconut husk Argentometric method), modified from Kolthoff and Kuroda
retting, lime shell dredging and salt works are well (1951) using a charting method and constant rate of delivery
established on the banks of the estuary. Further there is large of AgNO3 standard solution. Alkalinity (Carbonate and
scale sand mining at the head of the estuary. Bicarbonate) was determined by titration of the sample with a
The Manakudy estuary has a luxuriant growth of mangrove standard solution of a strong sulphuric acid as described by
forests on the mudflats. However due to pollution from Rainwater and Thatcher(1960). Iron (Fe) , Nickel (Ni),
industrial effluents and domestic sewage from the fishermen Copper (Cu), Silicate (Si), Nitrate, Nitrite, and Phosphate
settlements, there is a threat to this ecosystem. The increase were determined by colorimetric method. Sodium (Na) ,
and spread of salt pans have also adversely affects the potassium (K) and Lithium were determined Flame
mangroves. This Manakudy mangrove was also devastated photometically (model systronic 128). Sulphate was
by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The baseline information on determined by gravimetric method.
the nutrients and trace metal concentrations, the patterns as III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
well as on linkages and interrelationship between the Statistical analysis
ecosystem is still lacking. The present investigation is Coefficient of correlation (r) was worked out to
proposed to understand and assess the nutrients, trace metals understand the relationship between the various parameters
in sediments and water and primary productivity of the and to test the significance of the models. It was considered
Manakudy mangrove ecosystem. to be not significant when the value of the probability of
In order to study the state of health of the Manakudy significance (p) was greater than 0.05. Mean and standard
estuary six stations were selected around the mangrove forest. deviations were calculated for each parameters. Various
Seasonal study: Based on the duration of the monsoon three multivariate statistical methods including factor analysis, and
seasons are recognized and the data are grouped into three paired sample test were analysed. All these statistical analysis
categories viz. Premonsoon season (April, May, August and were performed using SPSS statistical version 20, SYSTAT
September) monsoon season (June , July , October and software.
November) post monsoon season from December to March. Rainfall
Description of study area Rainfall is the most important cyclic phenomenon in
tropical countries as it brings important changes in the
hydrological characteristics of the coastal marine
environment (Chandran et al.,1984). The north east monsoon
in Kanyakumari brings very heavy rain during October,
November months. The pattern of rainfall facilitates the
divisions of the year into post monsoon, pre monsoon and
monsoon. Monthly rainfall (mm) varied from 14.80-181.20
mm during the study period. The maximum rainfall 181.20
mm was recorded during the northeast monsoon and
minimum 14.80 mm during the month of January 2013.

Fig 1 Location map of study area

Physico chemical features of the monthly samples of
Manakudy estuary were recorded from January 2013 to
December 2013 in six stations. Surface water samples were
collected in plastic containers and bottom samples were
collected using a Meyer’s water sampler. Air and water
temperatures were measured using thermometer at the
sampling site. Salinity, pH, TDS and EC were measured Fig 2: Rainfall recorded (mm) during January 2013- December 2013
using water analyser (Elico, PE,138). The concentration of
dissolved oxygen and primary productivity can be readily and Temperature
accurately measured by the method originally developed by Temperature is an universal factor in the aquatic ecosystem,
Winkler in 1888 and transparency by using secchi disc. which may influence the physicochemical characteristics and
Turbidity was determined by turbidometer. Analysis of also influence the metabolism of the organisms. The main
sulphide was determined by titration method effect of water temperature on the environment is related to
(Strickland,et.al.,1972). Total hardness was calculated by oxygen in the water. The amount of oxygen that water can
complexometric titration using EDTA (Vogel,1978). hold decreases as the temperature of the water increases. If

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water gets too hot , there is less available oxygen for living bottom (1.52±0.11 mg/L) low in post monsoon at surface
things. Temperature also affects nutrient cycling and plant (1.25±0.19 mg/L) and at bottom (1.45±0.12 mg/L).
productivity. The spatial variation observed in temperature Phosphorous of surface and bottom waters varied from 0.15-
could be due to the viable intensity of prevailing streams and 0.54mg/L. Between stations, phosphorous was high in station
the resulting mixing of water (Reddi et al., 1993). 3,low in station 2.Seasonal variation of high phosphorous
Temperature of ambient, surface and bottom waters varied was recorded in monsoon at surface (0.41±0.05 mg/L) and at
from 25.91-36.67oC.The minimum temperature recorded (0.42±0.02 mg/L) low in post monsoon at surface (0.24±0.02
during the monsoon season (avg.30.94±0.41; 30.31±0.55; mg/L) and at bottom (0.25±0.02 mg/L). Potassium of surface
30.08±0.61) could be ascribed to the rainfall caused by the and bottom waters varied from 3133-4500mg/L. Between
northwest monsoon at Manakudy estuary. The maximum stations, potassium was high in station 6,low in station
temperature recorded during the post monsoon season 3.Seasonal variation of high potassium was recorded in
(avg.33.48±1.49; 31.87±0.46; 31.64±0.57). The temperature monsoon at surface (4066.70±308.49 mg/L) and at bottom
of the water also reveals what types of plants and animals are (4129.20±273.13 mg/L) low in pre monsoon at surface
able to live in the estuary. All plants and animals have a (3545.80±373.97mg/L) and at bottom (3579.20±295.55
range of temperatures in which they thrive. If the water in the mg/L). Sodium of surface and bottom waters varied from
estuary is outside the normal seasonal temperature range in 9350-16000mg/L. Between stations, sodium was high in
which most estuarine organisms can comfortably live, it is station 6,low in station 4.Seasonal variation of high sodium
probably an indication that something is adversely affecting was recorded in monsoon at surface (15400.00±692.63 mg/L)
the health of the estuary. and at bottom (15504.20±440.28 mg/L) low in post monsoon
(10279.20±1519.73; 10370.80±1561.12). Sulphur of surface
Seasonal changes of cations and elements
and bottom waters varied from 2.56-9.72mg/L. Between
Calcium of surface and bottom waters varied from 173.3-
stations, sulphur was high in station 1,low in station
390mg/L. Between stations, calcium was high in station
3.Seasonal variation of high sulphur was recorded in post
6,low in station 2.Seasonal variation of high calcium was
monsoon at surface (7.81±1.79mg/L) and at bottom
recorded in pre monsoon at surface (315.80±12.41 mg/L) and
(8.19±1.13 mg/L) low in monsoon at surface
at bottom (376.70±19.49 mg/L) due to leaching from calcium
(3.99±0.81mg/L) and at bottom (3.11±0.91 mg/L).
rich mineral rocks. Low value was in post monsoon at surface
(227.5±25.04 mgL) and at bottom (280.00±17.60 mg/L) due
Table : 1 Seasonal variation of Cations
to photosynthetic activity of macrophytes. Magnesium of
surface and bottom waters varied from 356.6-879.3mg/L.
Between stations, magnesium was high in station 1,low in
station 6.Seasonal variation of high magnesium was recorded
in pre monsoon at surface (657.61±16.69 mg/L) and at
bottom (597.30±52.11 mg/L) low in monsoon at surface
(467.61±24.62 mg/L) and at bottom (530.37±24.25 mg/L).
Copper of surface and bottom waters varied from 0.35-
0.68mg/L. Between stations, copper was high in station 5,
Table : 2 Seasonal variation of Elements
low in station 4. Seasonal variation of high copper was
recorded in monsoon at surface (0.65±0.10 mg/L) and at
bottom (0.56±0.09 mg/L) low in post monsoon at surface
(0.47±0.08 mg/L) and at bottom (0.41±0.12 mg/L).Iron of
surface and bottom waters varied from 3.28-5.71mg/L.
Between stations, iron was high in station 5, low in station
3.Seasonal variation of high iron was recorded in monsoon at
surface (5.39±0.27 mg/L) and at bottom (5.52±0.17 mg/L)
low in post monsoon at surface (3.71±0.16 mg/L) and at ANOVA
bottom (3.69±0.11 mg/L). Nickel of surface and bottom The ANOVA of physicochemical parameters
waters varied from 0.22-0.33mg/L. Between stations, nickel showed that the variation between stations (F=1.710)
was high in station 3,low in station 5.Seasonal variation of between months (F=2.150) were significant at 5%
high nickel was recorded in monsoon at surface (0.29±0.03 level. The ANOVA of anions showed that the
mg/L) and at bottom (0.26±0.03 mg/L) low in post monsoon variation between stations (F=0.359) between months
at surface (0.24±0.09mg/L) and at bottom (0.25±0.02 mg/L). (F=2.497) were significant at 5% level. The ANOVA
Lithium of surface and bottom waters varied from 0.33- of cations showed that the variation between stations
0.52mg/L. Between stations, lithium was high in station 1, (F=1.305) between months (F=3.234) were significant
low in station 4.Seasonal variation of high lithium was at 5% level. The ANOVA of elements showed that the
recorded in pre monsoon at surface (0.46±0.06 mg/L) and at variation between stations (F=2.455) between months
bottom (0.43±0.03 mg/L) low in monsoon at surface (F=2.911) were significant at 5% level. The ANOVA
(0.39±0.02 mg/L) and at bottom (0.35±0.04 mg/L). of parameters were not significant.
Nitrogen of surface and bottom waters varied from Factor analysis
1.07-2.25mg/L. Between stations, nitrogen was high in The effectiveness of factor analysis in hydrogeochemical
station 6,low in station 4.Seasonal variation of high nitrogen studies has been aptly demonstrated in several studies.
was recorded in monsoon at surface (1.68±0.18 mg/L) and at

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Ramanathan et al.,(1998) studied the water chemistry of HCO3-, SO42- and Mg2+. Factor 2 accounted for about 25.33%
Pichavaram mangrove forest using factor analysis. Factor of variance , which is positively contributed by pH, EC, TDS,
analysis (FA) used in this study was carried out SPSS 20 . Cl-, Na, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Factor 3 accounted for about 12.08%
The data were analysed in the R-mode. The factor scores, of variance , which is positively contributed except Ca2+ and
which are calculated for each parameters, indicate the Mg2+. Factor 4 accounted for about 8.54% of variance ,
importance of each factor at that sample site. Factor analysis which is positively contributed by pH, EC, Cl-, CO32-, HCO3-
was employed to delineate the sources controlling/affecting , SiO32-, Na and Ca2+.
the mangrove water chemistry (Table 3-6). Factor analysis is Table 6 indicates the loading of each variable accounted for
a technique whereby a data set is analyzed by creating one or by chemical analysis, in bottom water between months using
more factors, each representing a cluster of interrelated 13 variables accounted for by four composited factors. Factor
variables within the data set. 1 accounted for about 45.61% of variance , which is
Factor score diagram depicting the parameters variation positively contributed by pH, TDS, Cl-, CO32-, HCO3-, SO42-
of each and every factor is presented in Fig 3-6 Table 3 and and Mg2+. Factor 2 accounted for about 20.13% of variance ,
indicates the loading of each variable accounted for by which is positively contributed by pH, EC, TDS, Cl-, Na,
chemical analysis, in surface water between stations using 13 Ca2+ and Mg2+. Factor 3 accounted for about 11.20% of
variables accounted for by four composited factors. Factor 1 variance , which is positively contributed by pH, EC, Cl-,
accounted for about 31.82% of variance , which is positively CO32-, HCO3-, SiO32-, K and Na. Factor 4 accounted for about
contributed by EC, TDS, Cl- , PO43-, SiO32- and Mg2+. Cl- has 9.87% of variance , which is positively contributed by TDS,
a loading of 0.85, it is derived from saline water intrusion, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-, PO43- , K, Na and Ca2+.
salt pan deposits or agricultural return flow into estuary Table : 3 Factor analysis of surface water around mangrove forest in
water. The positive loading of chloride with magnesium stations
(0.52) may also represent the salinity of estuary water. PO43-
and SiO32- have positive loading of 0.76 and 0.80. It may be
attributed to anthropogenic inputs (fertilizer application, etc.).
Factor 2 accounted for about 24.70% variance, which is
positively contributed by pH, EC, TDS, Cl- , K, SO42- , Ca2+,
and Mg2+. pH has positive loading due to the birds drops
leachable into the water around the mangrove. K and SO42-
have positive loading due to anthropogenic activities.
Application of potassium fertilizer Potash and NPK
(nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium, mixed fertilizer) seems to
be contributed well in potassium and sulphate concentrations
in addition with domestic waste water (sewage, septic tank Table : 4 Factor analysis of bottom water around mangrove forest in
effluent,etc.) (Nagarajan et al.,2010). Factor 3 accounted for stations
about 23.24% variance, which is positively contributed by
EC, TDS, Cl- , CO32-, HCO3-, K, Na, , Ca2+, and Mg2+. CO32-
and HCO3- have positive loading due to carbonate
dissolution. Factor 4 accounted for about 12.69% variance,
which is positively contributed by pH, EC, Cl- , HCO3-, SO42-
, PO43-, Na, , Ca2+, and Mg2+. These parameters have
moderate loading.
Table 4 indicates the loading of each variable accounted
for by chemical analysis, in bottom water between stations
using 13 variables accounted for by four composited factors.
Factor 1 accounted for about 43.19% of variance , which is
positively contributed by pH, Cl- , SO42-, K, Na, , Ca2+, and
Table: 5 Factor analysis of surface water around mangrove forest in
Mg2+. Factor 2 accounted for about 27.46% of variance , Months
which is positively contributed by EC, TDS, Cl- , HCO3-,
SO42-, PO43- and Ca2+. Factor 3 accounted for about 17.04%
of variance , which is positively contributed by pH, EC, TDS,
HCO3-, SO42-, K, Na and Ca2+. Factor 4 accounted for about
7.08% of variance , which is positively contributed by pH,
EC, TDS, CO32-, SO42-, PO43- ,SiO32-and Na.
Table 5 indicates the loading of each variable accounted
for by chemical analysis, in surface water between months
using 13 variables accounted for by four composited factors.
Factor 1 accounted for about 39.97% of variance , which is
positively contributed by pH, TDS, Cl-, CO32-,

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Table : 6 Factor analysis of bottom water around mangrove forest in Paired sample t-test
Months Paired sample t-test was
performed following the methods
of Armitage and Berry (1994) ; and Altman (1991). Paired
sample test between month and stations in surface and bottom
waters were shown in Table 7-10. In cations, between station
calcium (0.000) and magnesium (0.008) were significant (
p<0.05), between month calcium (0.002), magnesium
(0.001), copper (0.009) and lithium (0.039) were significant (
p<0.05). In elements, between stations nitrogen was
significant ( p<0.05), but it was not significant between
months.
Table : 7 Paired sample t-test of Cations in stations

Table : 8 Paired sample t-test of Cations in month

Fig : 3 Spatial variation of factors in surface water around mangrove

forest in stations

Table : 9 Paired sample t-test of elements in stations

Fig : 4 Spatial variation of factors in bottom water around mangrove

forest in stations

Table : 10 Paired sample t-test of elements in Month

Fig : 5 Spatial variation of factors in surface water around mangrove

forest in Months

Fig : 6 Spatial variation of factors in bottom water around mangrove

forest in Months

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 International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology.
IV. CONCLUSION 9. Ramanathan A.L., Subramanian V., Ramesh R., Chidambaram S
Sodium is a dominant cation followed by Ca, Mg and James A.,(1998). Environmental geochemistry of the
Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem (tropical), south east coast of
and K and it is observed that the concentration India. Environmental Geology, 37(3): 223-233.
increases with increase in salinity. 10. Reddi, K.R., Jayaraju, N. Suriyakumar I. and Sreenivas K.(1993).
Statistical analysis confirms the multiple sources Tidal fluctuation in relation to certain physio-chemical
controlling mangrove water chemistry. parameters in Swarnamukhi river estuary,east coast of India. Ind.
J. Mar. Sci., 22: 232-234 .
Factor analysis shows, in water between stations
using 13 variables accounted for by four composited 11. Shapiro L., and Brannock, W.W.,(1956). Rapid analysis of
factors. Factor 1 is positively contributed by EC, silicate rocks: U.S.Geol.Survey Bull.1036-c, p.19-56.
TDS, Cl- , PO43-, SiO32-. It is derived from saline 12. Smith, T.J., (1992). Forest structure. In: Tropical Mangrove
Ecosystems, ed. A.I. Robertson & D.M. Alongi. Washington DC,
water intrusion, salt pan deposits or agricultural USA: American Geophysical Union. 101-136.
return flow into estuary water. The positive loading 13. Strickland, J.D.H. and Parsons, T.R. (1972), A practical hand
of chloride with magnesium may also represent the book of sea water analysis, Bulletin of Fisheries Research Board
salinity of estuary water. PO43- and SiO32- have of Canada, 167-310.
14. Twilley, R.R., Snedaker, S.C., Yanez-Arancibia, A. & Medina, E.
positive loading. It may be attributed to (1996) Biodiversity and ecosystem processes in tropical estuaries:
anthropogenic inputs (fertilizer application, etc.). perspectives of mangrove ecosystems. In: Functional Roles of
Factor 2 is positively contributed by pH, EC, TDS, Biodiversity: A Global Perspective, ed. H.A. Mooney, J.H.
Cl- , K, SO42- , Ca2+, and Mg2+. pH has positive Cushman, E. Medina, O.E. Sala & E.-D. Schulze, pp. 327–370.
Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.
loading due to the birds drops leachable into the 15. Vogel, A.I.,(1978). A text book of Quantitative Inorganic
water around the mangrove. K and SO42- have Analysis including Elementary Instrumental Analysis 4th ed. The
positive loading due to anthropogenic activities. English language Book Society and langman.co.
16. Winkler, L.W.,(1888). Die Bestimmung des in Wasser gelosten
Factor 3 is positively contributed by EC, TDS, Cl- ,
Sauerstoffen. Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft,
CO32-, HCO3-, K, Na, , Ca2+, and Mg2+. CO32- and 21: 2843-2855.
HCO3- have positive loading due to carbonate
dissolution.
Factor 4 is positively contributed by pH, EC, Cl- ,
HCO3-, SO42-, PO43-, Na, , Ca2+, and Mg2+. These
parameters have moderate loading.
Paired sample t-test shows, In cations, between
stations, Ca and Mg were significant between
months Ca, Mg, Cu and Li were significant. In
elements, between stations, nitrogen was significant
but not significant between months.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The first author (SPK) is thankful to UGC for financial
support through major research project. The authors thank the
authorities of Women’s Christian College for providing
necessary facilities.

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