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8506238 
Book/Book Chapter 
Effect of sedimentation and pollution in the reefs of Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India 
Mathews, G; Edward, JKP 
2006 
Japanese Coral Reef Society 
Okinawa, Japan 
Proceedings of 10th International Coral Reef Symposium 
English 
Gulf of Mannar (GOM) is one among the four major coral reef areas in India. The Tuticorin coast of GOM includes 4 coral islands, namely Kariyachalli, Koswari, Vilanguchalli and Vaan and it is the most environmentally stressed coastal areas due to destructive fishing, coral mining and pollution from the industries along the coast. The present study was carried out around the Vaan Island and mainland patch reef, which are very close to the Tuticorin Port. Sedimentation traps were deployed in 3 sites and the trapped sediments were collected month intervals. The sedimentation rate for one year was varying between 50 and 110mg/cm2/day. The average visibility was 2.1 ± 1.95m. Because of cup shape, deposition of sediments was noted in Turbinaria sp. Heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium and copper) concentration was analyzed in the skeleton of 4 common Scleractinian corals, Favia pallida, Porites lutea, Symphyllia radians and Acropora nobilis. The observed pollution level does not interfere with the growth and survival of corals at present. 
10th International Coral Reef Symposium 
Okinawa, Japan 
June 28-July 2, 2004