Environmental Related Issues along Kayamkulam – Thottappally Placer Deposits, SW Coast, India

• Main Authors: Babu Nallusamy, Sinirani Babu, Sharath Raj B, Mohammed Aleem Pasha, Mohammed Aslam M. A., Suresh Babu D. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Economic Geologists and Mineral Technologists 2016-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Economic and Environment Geology
• Subjects: Placer mining; shoreline changes; pH; salinity; Tsunami; Kayamkulam; Thottappalli.
• Online Access: http://www.econ-environ-geol.org/pdf/jan2016/6.pdf

Baseline status on the shoreline changes, water level fluctuation, water quality and impact of tsunami on placer concentration deals in this paper. Socio-ecological problems have always been reported as sensitive issues during the mining of placers in coastal regions of India. The Kayamkualm-Thottappally area has a delicate eco-system and is prone to severe beach erosion even in summer season. Shoreline change studies show that, moderate erosion was empirical along the south of Purakkad from Thrikkunnapuzha to Thottappally. Depositional features were observed atleast for about 400 m towards sea from Pannur to Chellakad area. Watertables in wells which are distant from the shoreline (100 – 1000 m) show higher positions during post-monsoon, due to recharge after monsoon. The proximity of Kayamkulam lagoon to selected sampling sites (Vattachal to Valiazhikal) causes increased salinity. In general, the quality of the water with respect to pH and Eh is good in the study area. The giant tsunami waves have brought considerable quantities of shelf sediments to the coast and done maximum damages in the study area especially in Tharayilkadavu, about 4 km north of Kayamkulam inlet.