EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC POLLUTION ON
MACROBENTHIC COMMUNITIES ALONG THE COAST OF KERALA,
SOUTH WEST COAST OF INDIA

Mumthas Yahiya*, Mary Teresa P Miranda
Page No. 1-11

The present paper explores the effects of environmental variables on macrobenthic community
along the coast of Kerala. The sites selected for study were Varkala (8º 43' NL & 76 º 43' EL-Site I)
which is prone to tourist influx, being a religious pilgrimage center and Chavara (9º 07' NL & 76 º
31' 55 EL-Site II) which is a main source of inorganic pollution(trace metals and PAHs)from Kerala
Minerals & Metals Ltd, Titanium dioxide factory effluent. Seasonal sampling (pre- monsoon,
monsoon & post-monsoon) was carried out from February 2015 to January 2016. Sedimentological
parameters such as temperature, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn), PAHs, texture and organic
carbon were analyzed. The investigation revealed 24 taxa belonging to 634 individuals exhibiting
variations between seasons and sites. At site 1, both Terebra sp (predator sea snails) and Bullia sp
were found during post-monsoon. The IUCN red listed major threatened species, Telescopium
telescopium found only during monsoon, is likely impacted locally by loss of habitat. Both Natica
vittellus (moon snails), Bursa sp (frog shells) were found only at site2 during pre-monsoon. The
presence of Perna viridis at site 2 indicates pollution caused by heavy metals and organochlorides.
The study reveals the deleterious and toxic nature of heavy metals found at site 2 which pose
serious threat to human health, living organisms and natural ecosystems. The study also provides
an insight into impact of several anthropogenic stressors on the macrobenthic faunal distribution
along the coast of Kerala.
Key-word : Macrobenthos, Biomonitor, Inorganic pollution, PAHs, Heavy metals.