Research to Maintain and Extend Existing Ecosystems

Anna University worked directly to maintain and extend the existing ecosystems and their biodiversity through research work, consultancy work with industries and also by publications such as conservation of environmental, aquaculture, coastal and ocean ecosystems for plants and animals which are under threat. Institute for Ocean Management (IOM), Anna University worked on several consultancy projects to identify the sand accreting areas in A&N islands in Non-Eco Sensitive sand accreting sites and Study of Impact on Marudaiyar river due to change in safety distance for mining at Periyathirukonam village, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu. Dr.P.R.Rajalakshmi of Institute for Ocean Management has carried out a Post-Doctoral Research on Impact of Climate Change on Ocean Productivity in Indian Waters Covering Bay of Bengal under the Department of Science and Technology, India - Women Scientist (A) Scheme. The main findings of this research are an analysis of how climate change has affected fishery catch throughout time, an estimation of how it may affect fishery in the near future, and an evaluation of how climate change has changed marine productivity patterns. Centre for Water Resources, Anna University has worked on the research projects on Reservoir capacity and sedimentation assessment and Water quality simulation using the WASP model.

INSTITUTE FOR OCEAN MANAGEMENT

1. Department of Science and Technology, India - Women Scientist (A) Scheme - Post Doctoral Research on Impact of Climate Change on Ocean Productivity in Indian Waters Covering Bay of Bengal, Dr.P.R.Rajalakshmi

India has a coastline of around 7500 km long and an area of 2.02 million sq. km as its Exclusive Economic Zone. The changing trends in fish stocks has to be studied with reference to the climate change to protect our rich marine biodiversity. The study identifies marine hotpots in Bay of Bengal where conservation of marine biodiversity is required and derives spatially explicit information on the cumulative impact of climate change by combining available information on SST, oceans currents, and marine productivity i.e., chlorophyll ‘A’ concentration (CHL). The prime outcomes of this study are analyzing the impact of climate change on Fishery catch over the years, predicting the impact of climate change on Fishery in the near future, and assessing the change in trends of marine and productivity due climate change.

 

2. Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University is the authorized institute for the identification of sand accretion site in non-eco-sensitive zones of Andaman and Nicobar islands

Institute for Ocean Management (IOM), Anna University is the authorized institute for the identification of sand accretion site in non-eco-sensitive zones of Andaman and Nicobar islands as per the notification no.S.O.2558 (E) dated 22/08/2013 of MoEF&CC and received the invitation for the same on 20th January 2022. IOM has been entrusted to identify the sand accreting areas in A&N islands in Non-Eco Sensitive sand accreting sites (ESAs) as well as quantum available for extraction. A total of 15 division of sites identified and surveyed on January 2023 in different places of Andaman and Nicobar islands for the extraction of sand without affecting the existing ecosystems.

 

3. Study of Impact on Marudaiyar river due to change in safety distance for mining at Periyathirukonam village, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu by Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University

Chettinad Cement Corporation Private Limited (CCCPL) entrusted the consultancy work on “Study of Impact on Marudaiyar river due to change in safety distance for mining at Periyathirukonam village, Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu” to the Institute for Ocean Management (IOM), Anna University, Chennai. The design storm of 25 year return period is used to estimate the flood discharge. The water surface profile indicate the water level is confined within the river itself even for the highest flood scenario. Groundwater simulation is carried out to study on impact of mine with safe distance of 50 and 100m. The movement of groundwater was not much affected and no influence is seen due to the mining activity. The recommendations were given to refill the mined area and also the afforestation should be done in the mined area. The partial mine area can be kept as water storage structure. From the scope of this work, our university is engaged to maintain and prevent damage to aquatic ecosystems.

CENTRE FOR WATER RESOURCES

1. Reservoir capacity and sedimentation assessment by integrating sub-bottom profiler and remote sensing techniques

The sediment status of Krishnagiri Reservoir Project is assessed for the study area. Assessment of the present storage capacity, estimation of the storage loss in comparison with the historical bathymetry and findings of the annual sediment loading rate were carried out in this study.

 

2. Water quality simulation using the WASP model for eutrophication control in a South Indian Reservoir

The study focused on analysing the eutrophication indicators of the Krishnagiri Reservoir Project (KRP) using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP). The study assessed the impact of nutrient loads on dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, and chlorophyll-a. The findings could help policymakers and managers make informed decisions about reducing nutrient loads and restoring the trophic status of eutrophicated reservoirs.