ENVIS Centre, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India
Printed Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Cooum estuary
Cooum estuary
|
Name of the River
|
Cooum
|
|
Place
|
Chennai
|
|
District
|
Chennai Corporation
|
|
State
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
Latitude
|
13° 10’N
|
|
Longitude
|
80° 16’E
|
|
Depth
|
3 - 6m
|
|
Type of the Estuary
|
Bar-built
|
|
Industrial effluent discharges
|
2,52,000 liter/day
|
|
Sewage discharges
|
15.4 million gallons/day
|
Image
Map
River Basin Map
Physico-chemical parameters
Table 1. Rainfall (24 hrs. in mm. data collected from Meteorology Department)
| Sl. No. |
Month
|
1988
|
1989
|
1990
|
| 1 |
January
|
000.7
|
09.0
|
006.5
|
| 2 |
February
|
21.9
|
Nil
|
002.9
|
| 3 |
March
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
16.0
|
| 4 |
April
|
006.1
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
| 5 |
May
|
29.6
|
003.0
|
408.5
|
| 6 |
June
|
27.4
|
128.5
|
20;3
|
| 7 |
July
|
32.5
|
191.5
|
096.7
|
| 8 |
August
|
291.7
|
56.0
|
085.7
|
| 9 |
September
|
220.7
|
148.9
|
195.0
|
| 10 |
October
|
77.2
|
179.9
|
573.5
|
| 11 |
November
|
477.9
|
492.3
|
309.3
|
| 12 |
December
|
110.8
|
106.1
|
191.9
|
Table 2. Physico-chemical parameters (mg/l) in the river Cooum at polluted stations during 1988-1990 (Mean values have been shown along with range in brackets)
|
Sl.
No.
|
|
Cooum estuary
|
| 1988 |
1989
|
1990
|
| Summer |
Rainy
|
Summer
|
Rainy
|
Summer
|
Rainy
|
| 1 |
Air temp.°C
|
28.8
(28.4-31.0)
|
25.0
(23.4-28.4)
|
28.8
(23.8-31.6)
|
25.68
(23.4-28.5)
|
30.1
(26.8-31.1)
|
26.5
(23.6-28.5)
|
| 2 |
Water tem.°C
|
29.6
(28.6-31.8)
|
26.2
(23.6-28.4)
|
28.6
(24-32)
|
26.4
(23.6-29.0)
|
27.5
(25.2-31.2)
|
22.1
(23.8-23.6)
|
| 3 |
Colour
(in units)
|
200
(170-240)
|
180
(160-220)
|
220
(160-250)
|
190
(180-240)
|
230
(190-260)
|
200
(160-220)
|
| 4 |
pH
|
8.3
(7.4-9)
|
7
(6.6-7.5)
|
8.6
(8.1-9.1)
|
7.2
(6-7.5)
|
8.8
(8.4-9.2)
|
7.5
(6.5-7.5)
|
| 5 |
Salinity
|
33.4
(23.6-43.5)
|
13.4
(8.4-20.1)
|
25
(12.4-44.6)
|
13.9
(8.4-15.8)
|
24.9
(14.6-43.8)
|
11.2
(8.6-17.4)
|
| 6 |
Total Suspended Solid
|
208
(192-212)
|
83
(72-89)
|
236
(212-241)
|
88
(78-96)
|
245
(192-263)
|
95
(85-118)
|
| 7 |
Free Carbon-dioxide
|
84.5
(72-101)
|
69.4
(43-93)
|
93.8
(79-108)
|
63.4
(40-90)
|
94
(69-112)
|
66
(40-90)
|
| 8 |
Dissolved Oxygen
|
4.1
(3-7)
|
6.2
(5.2-7.8)
|
4.3
(3.1-6.8)
|
6.4
(4.1-8.4)
|
3.6
(2.5-7.6)
|
5.6
(2.7-9.8)
|
| 9 |
B.O.D.
|
26
(25-27)
|
27
(25-29)
|
28
(25-29)
|
27
(26-29)
|
25
(24-26)
|
20
(25-27)
|
| 10 |
C.O.D.
|
236
(232-241)
|
236
(230-241)
|
234
(230-239)
|
235
(228-242)
|
234
(229-240)
|
235
(230-244)
|
| 11 |
Acidity
|
227.5
(201-211)
|
62.8
(54-74)
|
188.8
(68-246)
|
61.2
(59-73)
|
62.6
(54-76)
|
178.2
(69-249)
|
| 12 |
Alkalinity
|
566
(510-612)
|
101.4
(94-108)
|
416.7
(139-631)
|
119.4
(107-129)
|
512.5
(141-624)
|
119.2
(112-131)
|
| 13 |
Nitrite
|
0.02
(0.01-0.03)
|
0.015
(0.01-0.03)
|
0.03
(0.01-0.04)
|
0.018
(0.01-0.02)
|
0.025
(0.01-0.02)
|
0.018
(0.01-0.04)
|
| 14 |
Nitrate
|
4.5
(4.3-4.9)
|
3.6
(2.1-3.8)
|
4.7
(2.7-4.9)
|
3.8
(2.0-4.4)
|
4.8
(3.9-5.9)
|
3.4
(2.8-3.6)
|
| 15 |
Ammonia
|
2.8
(1.4-3.9)
|
1.9
(1.1-2.3)
|
2.9
(1.7-3.8)
|
2.0
(1.2-2.4)
|
3.1
(2.5-3.8)
|
2.6
(1.8-3.2)
|
| 16 |
Phosphate
|
2.6
(1.4-3.2)
|
2.4
(1.8-2.8)
|
3.2
(1.8-3.3)
|
2.8
(1.3-2.6)
|
3.8
(2.0-4.6)
|
2.9
(2.2-3.8)
|
| 17 |
Sulphate
|
85
(76-119)
|
54
(42-68)
|
200
(106-218)
|
65
(52-85)
|
185
(92-218)
|
72
(65-110)
|
| 18 |
Chloride
|
1800
(1640-1920)
|
860
(800-980)
|
1920
(1760-1980)
|
890
(640-920)
|
2320
(1830-2440)
|
940
(826-984)
|
| 19 |
Silica
|
2.8
(1.6-3.4)
|
6
(4.2-6.8)
|
2.9
(1.8-3.1)
|
7.2
(6.4-7.8)
|
4.1
(3.0-4.4)
|
8.1
(6.1-8.6)
|
Table 3. A condensed grid of the leopold matrix for Cooum estuary
| |
Existing conditions of the estuarine environment |
|
| |
Physical & Chemical features |
Flora |
Fauna |
Cultural features |
Ecology |
|
|
THE LEOPOLD MATRIX
Reduced grid showing all lixely impact
|
Flow the surface water |
Water quality |
Water recharge |
Temp. |
Dissolved oxygen |
Silting |
Sand accretion in estuary |
Phyto-plankton |
Productivity |
Faecal coliform bacteria |
Micro-
fauna
|
Fishes |
Piped drinking water quality |
Scenic views |
Recre- ation |
Food chain |
|
|
Construction of Dams
|
10 /10
|
3/8
|
3/8
|
3/1
|
5/1
|
2/2
|
|
2/1
|
2/2
|
|
|
5/5
|
|
|
5/1
|
5/5
|
45/44
|
|
Construction of harbor
|
10/10
|
10/8
|
|
8/2
|
10/10
|
|
10/10
|
8/1
|
8/8
|
|
8/8
|
10/10
|
|
10/1
|
5/5
|
10/10
|
107/83
|
|
Urbanization
|
5/1
|
10/8
|
5/2
|
2/2
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/10
|
|
5/5
|
8/5
|
10/5
|
10/5
|
|
65/43
|
|
Sewage overflow
|
10/5
|
10/2
|
|
3/2
|
10/5
|
5/1
|
|
8/2
|
8/8
|
10/10
|
|
10/4
|
|
10/4
|
10/4
|
10/4
|
104/51
|
|
Improper landuse
|
5/5
|
10/5
|
|
5/5
|
5/2
|
3/5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/5
|
10/5
|
5/5
|
53/37
|
|
Cattle refuse disposal
|
3/3
|
8/3
|
|
|
5/2
|
5/1
|
|
3/1
|
5/5
|
5/5
|
|
5/5
|
|
|
|
|
39/25
|
|
Bridge construction
|
2/1
|
2/1
|
|
|
5/8
|
|
|
|
|
8/4
|
|
5/5
|
|
|
|
5/5
|
27/
24
|
|
Dobhi washing
(Laundry)
|
|
3/3
|
|
|
5/1
|
|
|
3/3
|
5/5
|
|
5/4
|
5/1
|
|
5/3
|
|
5/3
|
39/
23
|
|
Hotel industry
|
|
4/1
|
|
|
5/2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/2
|
|
|
12/5
|
|
Small scale industry
|
|
|
|
|
5/1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/2
|
|
|
8/3
|
|
Burning
|
|
5/1
|
|
1/1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/2
|
|
|
11/4
|
|
|
45/35
|
65/40
|
8/10
|
23/12
|
55/32
|
15/9
|
10/10
|
24/8
|
28/28
|
33/29
|
16/12
|
45/35
|
8/5
|
56/24
|
40/20
|
46/27
|
|
PHYTOPLANKTON
Cyanophyceae
Anabaena circinalis
Anabaena constricta
Anthrospira sp.
Apanozomenon flosaguae
Aphanocapsa pulchra (Kutz) Raben
Coelospharium huetzingianum
Euglena acus
Euglena polymorpha
Euglena viridis Her
Gleocapsa
Merismopedia blauca
Microcystis elebans
Mougeotia indica Randhawa
Oscillatoria chalybea
Oscillatoria formosa Bory
Oscillatoria putrida
Phormidium anbigenum
Pleurocapsa sp.
Polycystis
Protococcus
Spirulina sp.
Spirulina gigantean
Spirulina jenneri (Stizb) geitler
Chlorophyceae
Actinastrum sp.
Ankistrodermus falcatus (corda) Ralfs.
Ankistrodesmus
Chiamydomonas sp.
Chlorella vulgaris
Chlorococcum humicola (Naeg) Raben
Closterium acerosum (Schrank) Her.
Crucigenia guadradata
Crucigenia tetrapedia
Cryptomonas ovata
Eudorina elegans Ehr
Eudorina indica Iyengar
Eudorina sp.
Hydrodictyon
Oxhstis crassa Wittrock
Oxystis ecballocystiformis Iyengar
Oxystis sp.
Pandorina morum Mull BOry
Pediastrum duplex
Scenedesmus bernardii G.M. Smith
Scenedesmus dimorphus (Turp) Kutz
Schroederic
Seenedesmus quadricauda (Turp) Brela
Spriogyra crassa Kuty
Staurastrum iotanum
Staurastrum punctulatum Brel
Stauroneis parvula green
Tetraedron tumidulum
Ulotrix zonata (Weber and Mohr) Kutz
Volvox globator
Bascillariophyceae
Amphora
Asterionella japonica
Bacteriastrum
Biddulphia sinensis
Cyclotella menghiniana
Fitzschia acicularis var
Fragilaria capucina Desmaz
Fragilaria halophile
Gomphonema parvulum (Kutz) green
Gomphonema sphacrophorum (Ehr). f. subscapitata
Navicula cryptocephala Kutz
Navicula laterostrata Hust.
Navicula pupala F. Capitata
Navicula pygmaca (Kutz) green
Nitzsbhia palea (Kutz) wrn. Srn
Nitzschia obtusa Wrn. Srn. Vi
Synedra acua Kutz
Synedra ulna (Nizt) Ehr
Thalassionemo
Diatoms
Amphiprora gigantean Var sulcata (O’Meara) Cleve
Amphora proteus Greg.
Amphora terroris Ehr.
Asterionella formosa Hass
Asterionella japonica Cleve
Bacteriastrum sp.
Buddulphia mobiliensis Bailey
Carcinodiscus sp.
Chaetoceros perpusilla Cleve
Chaetoceros wighami Brighwell
Coscinodiscus lineatus Ehr.
Cyclotella sp.
Diploneis weissflogii (A. S.) Cleve
Ditylum brightwellii (West) Grunow
Eucampia cornuta (Cleave) Grun.
Guinardia flaccida (Castr.) Perag.
Leptocylindrus danicus Cleve
Melosira sp.
Navicula cancellata Donkin
Navicula pupula capitata
Nitzschia closterium (Ehr.) Wm. Sm.
Nitzschia longissimi (Breb.) Ralfs
Nitzschia palea (Kutz) Wm. Sm.
Nitzschia panduriformes var. continua Grunow
Nivicula sp.
Paralia sulcata (Ehr.) Cleve
Pleurosigma aestuarii Breb.
Rhaphoneis amphiceros Ehr.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Synedra tabulate Kutz.
Tabellaria fenestrata (Lyngb)
Thalassionema nitzschioides Grunow
Thalassiosira subtilis (Ostenfeld) Gran.
Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii Grun.
Triceratium dubium Brightw.
Triceratium favus Ehr.
Triceratium reticulatum Ehr.
Triceratium sculptum Shadb.
ZOOPLANKTON
Acartia spinicauda
aracalanus parvus
Asplanohna sp.
Balanus sp.
Brachionus calyciflorus
Brachionus calyciflorus Pallus
Brachionus forficula
Brachionus quadridenta
Brachionus rubens Her
Calanopia aurivilli
Calanopia eliptica
Candaca bradyi
Candaciidae Candaca discaudata
Centropages furcatus
Cladocera
Copepoda
Copila vitrea
Culecine pupa
Culex fatigans
Cypris
Depetra Larva, Brachydeutera longipes Hendel
Diaptomus sp.
Dipteran pupa
Eucalanus attenuatus
Eucalanus crassus
Eucalanus elongates
Euchaeta corninna dana
Euealanus elongatus (Dana)
Filinia sp.
Filium longiseta
Isias tropica sewell
Labidocera acuta
Labidocera minuta
Labidocera pectinata
Larval forms
Lucicuta flavicornis
Lucifer sp.
Mesocyclops sp.
Moina sp.
Naupluis
Nematode worm
Ostracod
Platyhelminthes
Pontella danae
Pontellopsis scotti sewell
pseudodiaptomus serricauda
Scolecithrix danae
Temora discaudata
Temora stylifera
Temora tubinata
Undinull vulgoris Var. Sewell
MACROFAUNA
Mollusca
Anisus (Diplodiscus)
Hyptocylos (Bensen)
Pilaglobosa (Swainson)
Pilavirens (Lamark)
Planorbis exustus (Deshayes)
Vivipara sengalensis
CRUSTACEA
Macrobrachium javanicum (Heller)
Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne Edwards)
Macrobrachium rosenbergi (de Man)
INSECTA
Anisops nivea Fieber
Diplonychus indicus
Gerrid sp.
Hydrometra sp.
Laccotrephes sp.
Limnogonus fossarum fossarum
Micromecta punctata (Fieb)
Nepa sp.
Ranatra sp.
Sphacrodema annulatum Fabr.
FISHES
Acentrogobius neilli Day
Ambassis miops Gunther
Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Blkr.)
Amblypharyngodon mola Hamilton
Anguilla bengalensis Gray
Anguilla bicolor Mc Clelland
Awaous gutum (Ham.)
Channa orientalis (Bloch & Schn.)
Channa punctatus (Bloch)
Channa striatus (Bloch)
Chela cachius (Ham.)
Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus)
Colisa fasciata (Schneider)
Eleotris fusca (Sch.)
Elops machnata (Forskal)
Engraulis purava
Esomus dandricus (Hamilton)
Etroplus maculatus (Bloch)
Etroplus suratensis (Bloch)
Glossogobius giuris (Ham.)
Labeo calbasu (Ham.)
Lates calcarifer (Bloch)
Leiognathus aculeatum (L.)
Leiognathus sp.
Lepidocephalus thermalis (Val.)
Liza macrolepis (Smith)
Macrognathus aral (Bl. & Sch.)
Macrognathus pancalus Ham.
Macrognatus aculeatum (Bloch)
Magolops cyprinoides (Broussonel)
Megalops cyprinoides
Microphis brachyurus (Bleeker)
Microphis cuncalus (Ham.)
Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus)
Mugil microlepis (Smith)
Muraena sp.
Mystus gulio (Ham.)
Mystus vittatus (Bloch)
Mystus vittatus (Bloch)
Oligolepis acutipennis (Val.)
Oreochromis mossambica (Peters)
Oryzias melastigma (Mc Clelland)
Oxygaster bacaila Hamilton
Parluciosoma daniconius (Ham.)
Puntius amphibia (Valencienes)
Puntius amphibious (Val.)
Puntius sophor (Hamilton)
Puntius vittatus Day
Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton)
Salmostoma bacaila (Ham.)
Terapon jarbua (Forsskal)
Tilapia mossambica (Peters)
AMPHIBIA
Rana hexadactyla
Rana syanaphlyctis Schneider
Rana limnocharis Boie
REPTILES
Natrix sp.
References
Rao, V.N.R., 1987. Potential for commercial fisheries in the Cooum estuary. Proc. Natn. Sem. Estuarine Management, Trivandrum, 389–394.
Mary Bai, M., 1993. Ecological studies on the river Cooum with special reference to pollution. Rec. Zool. Surv. India, 93(3–4): 393–416.
Shanthi, M. and R. Ramanibai, 2011. Studies on Copepods from Chennai Coast (Cooum and Adyar), Bay of Bengal - During the Cruise. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3(1): 132–136.
Mary Bai, M., K. Rema Devi and T.J. Indra, 2007. Fish as biological indicator in Cooum river. Indian Hydrobiology, 10(2): 263–267.
Jayapaul Azariah and Hilda Azariah, 1987. Cooum estuary—A case study in environmental impact assessment. Proc. Natn. Sem. Estuarine Management, Trivandrum, 181–185.