Textural Features - Indicators of Pollution

The dynamic estuarine environment influences the sedimentary processes like physical and chemical characteristics of sediments. The dominant factor in sediment transport is the motion of water. The particles are moved by the current of water in the way of sliding, rolling, siltation and suspension. Texture a peculiar feature of the sediment which describes the nature of soil. In the water bodies, the textural characteristics reflect how long the sedimentary particles are affected by organic and inorganic contaminants. For the present study three different estuaries namely Kadinamkulam backwater, Veli Lake and Poonthura backwater around the Trivandrum city of Kerala were chosen as study sites. From each estuary three stations such as riverine zone, middle zone and bar mouth zone were fixed for collection of samples. Monthly collection of sediment for a period of one year from April-2014 to March 2015 was carried out. Regular analysis of texture was done and calculated the results. The observations from the present study showed that most of the months and in all the selected stations sandy soil dominates. The clayey and silty soil was reported in certain stations in specific seasons.