This is very disturbing indeed. I do hope our Oceanography Ministry under Dr HK
Gupta's Secretaryship will initiate something fast before it spins out of
control.
R. Ashok Kumar

Pankaj <pankaj@...> wrote:
Lakshadweep Corals under threat due to pollution
Source: Giji Marykulam. 'Lakshadweep coral reefs under threat', Indian
Express, 06/01/04.

The Coral Reef system in the Lakshadweep Islands is facing a threat from
oil-spillage and fuel discharge caused by an increase in the passage of
vehicles and the number of generators being used by the islanders for power
generation.
A recent study titled 'Coral reef ecosystem of Lakshadweep - a
bio-geochemical facsimile, under taken by the Cochin University of Science
and Technology (CUSAT) has found that 25% of the outer cells in the reefs
were dead due to the prolonged trapping of sediment on the coral. The study
also found a high concentration of metals like Cadmium, Lead, Mercury,
Aluminium, Zinc and Vanadium in the reefs here.
Lead and Cadmium were found in all the study areas, with their
concentrations being above 1 mg per litre. That of Cadmium was found to
26.70 mg per litre. The study also reported that the anti-fouling bottom
paints used by boats contributed to the formation of toxic concentrations of
tributyl tin and other harmful chemical compounds.
The study was conducted in the islands of Kavaratti, Kadamath, Kiltan,
Androth, Agathy and Minicoy.

Source: Giji Marykulam. 'Lakshadweep coral reefs under threat', Indian
Express, 06/01/04.

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Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239





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