Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MAPPING AND MODELLING OF CHLOROPHYLL-A IN THE WATER OF PULICAT LAKE

R. Saraswathy and P. Kasinatha Pandian

Abstract

Agricultural Runoff and Industrial effluents are dumped into a nearest Lake. This leads to increase in nutrient Content of the water body as a process called Eutrophication. Eutrophication is the process in which water bodies undergo a shift in productivity levels. This can be a natural process as water bodies’ age over geological timescales. Rapid eutrophication onset by human activities is the process in which water bodies receive excessive nutrients that promote algal blooms decreasing dissolved oxygen availability, water quality and ecosystem stability. Agricultural activities, urban runoff, alterations of adjacent landscapes, atmospheric deposition, and direct discharge of nutrients are common sources contributing to anthropogenic Eutrophication problems. This ultimately results to Growth of Algae (Chlorophyll–a), which affects the ecosystem of the lake. Algae Growth consume much of Dissolved oxygen from water making the aquatic life unfit for Survival. Remote Sensing plays a very high role in monitoring water quality. Analysis of Digital Image Interpretation is proved to be a viable access to pollution tracking. Image Analysis software can be used to demarcate the areas where higher threat to aquatic life may occur. This Study will show areas where higher Chlorophyll a and Turbidity is present so as to demarcate areas for improving Aquaculture.