Coastal Pollution Assessment Commences Along TN’s Southern Shoreline After Shipwreck Near Kerala
The catastrophic sinking of the Liberia-flagged container vessel, MSL ELSA 3, over a week ago, has triggered a comprehensive coastal pollution assessment along Tamil Nadu’s southern coast. The incident, which occurred off the coast of Kerala, saw an unfortunate release of plastic nurdles and other harmful pollutants into the Arabian Sea.
In response to the potential ecological threat, the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has mobilized a specialized team to commence an in-depth analysis. This team is currently stationed in Kanyakumari, diligently working to collect crucial samples of seawater and beach sediments.
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the possible impacts of this pollution incident on Tamil Nadu’s precious marine and coastal ecosystems. “This assessment is not a one-off event,” explained Dr. R.S. Kankara, Director of NCCR. “We have started collecting samples from Kanyakumari and may extend our research to include Kudankulam. The findings from this study will be instrumental in creating essential baseline data, enabling us to identify if and how this spill has affected our coastal regions.”
Dr. Kankara further expressed that the insights gathered from this comprehensive study will significantly contribute to the Tamil Nadu government’s existing environmental monitoring efforts. This investigation will be an integral part of a larger strategy aimed at safeguarding the state’s coastal health.
As part of a continuous effort to understand and mitigate coastal pollution, the data obtained from this study will be meticulously compared against historical data sets previously collected under NCCR’s Seawater Quality Monitoring Programme. This extensive programme is dedicated to evaluating various physical, chemical, and biological parameters at 50 different coastal locations throughout India, which includes several key sites along Tamil Nadu’s stretch of coastline.
The unfortunate demise of MSL ELSA 3 took place on May 25, approximately 70 kilometers off the Kerala coast, between the regions of Vizhinjam and Kochi. As investigations continue, the results from these assessments are eagerly awaited by stakeholders, who are hopeful for the restoration and preservation of the region’s vibrant marine life.
The NCCR and associated bodies remain committed to taking proactive measures in dealing with such environmental situations, ultimately striving towards a cleaner, safer, and more resilient coastal environment for future generations.
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