Coastal water quality off Dakshina Kannada before and after tsunami

摘要

Along the west coast of India, the presence of high salinity, low dissolved oxygen and nutrient-rich waters has been reported during south-west monsoon seasons, when subsurface water reaches the coastal zone due to upwelling. However, water during January 2005 along the Dakshina Kannada coast exhibited high salinity, low dissolved oxygen and high nutrient characteristics indicating the impact of tsunami on the characteristics of coastal waters. The study revealed a drastic change in the coastal water quality due to the tsunami that has brought a nutrient-rich deeper waters into the coastal areas around the Indian subcontinent. These may further result in increased primary and secondary production and change in the coastal biodiversity.