Multimarker Pollution Studies Along the East Coast of Southern India

Abstract Pathogenic microorganisms are expected to provide an indication of contaminations that are threatening human and ecosystem health. Bacterial indicators, trace metals, and health-based surveys were monitored along the Tamilnadu coast for 1 year. Except salmonella, higher values of pollution indicators were observed during the monsoon season than during the summer season. Total viable count (TVC) ranges were found to be higher 9.1 [× 10 3 ] mL − 1 ; 5.8 [× 10 3 ] mL − 1 ; 6.6 [× 10 3 ] mL − 1 and 4.1 [× 10 3 ] mL − 1 at in Velankanni (S6) and lowest 7.8 [× 10 2 ]; 2.3 [× 10 2 ]; 6.2 [× 10 2 ] and 2.1 [× 10 2 ] mL − 1 at in Vedharanyam (S7). Based on an observational health-based survey of 2000 residents, cholera was reported by 9%–25%, diarrhea by 5%–27%, gastroenteritis by 33%–44%, typhoid by 08%–24%, and dysentery was reported by 17%–23% of the respondents. These findings suggest that the coastal aquifers of Tamil Nadu are contaminated, and are not suitable for providing safe drinking water.