The main objective of the project is to determine habitat specific water quality criteria for coastal waters, estuaries and habitats like coral reefs to facilitate better management of water quality in this area by the State Pollution Control Boards. The task will be carried by ICMAM-PD, Madurai Kamaraj University (Madurai), ALM PGIBMS, University of Madras (Chennai) and Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University (Chennai). It is proposed to determine the water quality criteria using various groups of animals ranging from planktonic larvae upto marine fishes under a continuous flow system. Histo-pathological studies will also be conducted as a supportive evidence for toxicity.

Recent experiences in studying the coastal and marine ecosystem revealed the need for a holistic approach to understand the bio-geomorphological changes that are prevalent in the ecosystem and the resultant impact on their productivity. In order to demonstrate the use of this concept for management of the ecosystem, the model areas such as Pulicat lake (Tamil Nadu), Vedaranyam lake (Tamil Nadu), Chilka lake (Orissa) and Kochi Breakwaters (Kerala) have been selected. The project activities will be carried out by ICMAM-PD, Centre for Environment Studies, Anna University (Chennai), Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Chilka Lake Development Authority (Orissa) and National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi (Kerala).

The tidal inlets like the mouths of creeks, lakes and estuaries play a vital role in exchange of chemical and biological elements that are essential to sustain the productivity of the ecosystem. Due to manmade activities like construction of breakwater, reclamation of land etc. around the tidal inlets, there are evidences of severe accretion resulting into the poor exchange of water between the estuary/lake/creek and the adjoining sea. Formation of sandbars etc. caused by accretion has prevented the outflow of wastewater from these inland water bodies into the sea, increasing the pollution levels, which has led to decrease of biodiversity. Prolonged closure of the mouth also has other impacts like seepage of polluted water in the grounds, affecting the water quality in the nearby household wells. It is proposed to study the causes of accretion of selected tidal inlets along the East and West coasts of India and suggests remedial measures for perennial opening of mouths of these water bodies. Ocean Engineering Centre, IIT-M (Chennai) and National Institute of Technology Karnataka, (Suratkal) are involved in these project activities.

The developmental activities like construction of ports and harbours, shore protection measures, expansion of beaches for tourism activities etc. have caused changes in the geomorphology of the coastal areas, resulting in periodical erosion of the beaches. These problems are prominent at most of the locations along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa and Maharashtra. To begin with, these problems will be investigated at selected locations along Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Orissa coasts. The ICMAM-PD and Centre for Earth Sciences and Studies, Trivandrum and Kerala State Council for Science & Technology, Kerala are involved in the project activities.

India has launched the Ocean Sat 1 in the year 1999 with the payload of Ocean Colour Monitor and Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer. The OCM has excellent applications in estimating the phytoplankton standing crop through chlorophyll and in understanding the distribution of suspended matter. In order to develop the methodology for utilisation of OCM data for understanding the sediment transport mechanisms at selected locations, a R&D project with the involvement of National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, is being undertaken. The project will study the sediment transport mechanisms at selected locations along the East and West coasts of India.