Natural and Anthropogenic Signals In Core Sediments from Serthalaikkadu Creek (Muthupet mangroves), SE Coast of India

The Serthalaikkadu creek in Muthupet mangroves region is the only E-W trending coastal strip in the SE coast of India and is very important, as the mangrove acts as a barrier to natural diasters. Natural, anthropogenic signals and accumulation of elements were made by collecting two short cores [Core 2 (C2); Core 3 (C3)]. Sedimentological parameters, carbonates, organic carbon, major (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P) and trace elements (Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn) were analyzed on all samples. Textural parameters, carbonates, organic carbon and Al normalized pattern of elements indicates three depositional events core samples, which are directly related to natural flood events during the last decade. The calculated enrichment, anthropogenic factors and comparison data indicate that the trace metals (especially Pb, Co) are enriched mainly due to the external (anthropogenic) activities in the land as well as in the coastal zone (Palk Strait). The study reveals that necessary steps need to be taken to avoid the degradation and contamination of the Serthalaikkadu mangrove system in SE coast of India before any major environmental problems affects the area.