Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Response of the Pichavaram and Muthupet Mangroves to differential Sedimentation Rates and Accretion/Erosion events and sea level variation studies In Tamil Nadu Coast |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. M.Suresh Gandhi, University Of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | msureshgandhi@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Gyratory Sieve Shaker |
Details
Executive Summary : | Only limited studies has been carried out in relation to mangrove to differential ssedimentation rates, erosion and accretion events in Tamilnadu coast. As mangroves swamps establish between mean tides and mean high water, the elevation of their surface substrate relative to sea-level is critical to their survival. The ability of mangroves to respond to rising sea levels depends primarily on whether sedimentation rates can keep up with rates of sea level rise and what barriers are in place, such as roads and infrastructure, which may prevent their landward migration. Sedimentary accretion is a result of both autochthonous peat formation and allochthonous mineral sediment accumulation. Sedimentation sources and rates influence vegetation resilience with rising sea level. Sediment losses include untrapped river sediment, longshore transport down the coast, mangrove litter outwelling, and relative sea-level rise Sediment inputs relative to sediment losses determine whether the mangrove environment is erosional or accretionary. The close relationship of mangroves with sea-level position makes mangroves particularly vulnerable to disruption by sea-level rise. When the rate of sea-level rise exceeds the rate of accretion, mangroves experience problems of substrate erosion, inundation stress and increased salinity. This will decimate the mangroves colonies in an unprecedented level. To estimate the sediment input into mangrove ecosystems and to want to quantify the various sources of sediments- riverine input, tidal borne sediments, mangrove litter etc this work is choosen. Further to delineate major sediment accretion/erosion events in the mangrove system and their impacts on the stability/degradation of mangroves in Late Holocene period |
Total Budget (INR): | 22,87,450 |
Organizations involved