Shallow sediment physiognomies of Manakudy estuary southwest coast of India

A total of 20 surface sediment samples were collected from the Manakudy estuary (8°05'30'' N and 77°29'10'' E) in Kanyakumari, southwest coast of India. Samples were analysed for grain size, CaCO3, organic carbon and trace element. Sedimentological behaviour and the spatial distribution pattern in the coastal and estuarine environment are presented in detailed. Based on the textural results show that the estuary is dominated by silty sand, where as the estuarine mouth is dominated by sand. Correlation studies illustrate that there exists a strong correlation between sand and CaCO3, organic carbon significant correlation with silt. The order of abundance of various trace elements in the surface sediment can be summarised as Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr. The increase in the concentration of trace metals along the Manakudy estuary indicates that the area has been contaminated by the input from the Pazhayar River. The sources of contamination mainly due to the anthropogenic activities such as sewage water, boot relishing oil, and fishing waste mixing around the estuary. The enrichment of cadmium in the southern part of the study area is mainly due to anthropogenic activities.