HR: 0800h
AN: B51B-0360    [Abstracts]
TI: Water Environment of Kochi - Risk and Impacts Assessment
AU: * M S, M
EM: madhusoodanan@gmail.com
AF: Eartha & Planetary System Science Consortium (EPSSCON), Near Mariyamman Temple, Chuttupadukara, Edappally(P.O.), Kerala, Cochin, 682024, India
AU: A N, B
EM: anb@cusat.ac.in
AF: Cochin University of Science and Technology, Department of Physical Oceanography, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue-Ernakulam, Kerala, Cochin, 682016, India
AB: The southwest coast of India is known for its maritime tropical climate which encompasses the Summer Monsoon and resultant land runoff. The Kochi region receives vast amount of rainfall in a short spell of four months (June-September) and for the given terrain characteristics, approximately 70% escapes to the Arabian Sea. The dry season (January-May) is deficit in water resources when the demands are equally high. Superimposed on this natural cycle, the land use changes, alterations in agricultural pattern, deforestation and water regulation along with ill effects of urbanization and industrialization has lead to grave negative impacts in the water environment. A vivid picture is drawn on the environmental setting of this region placing due emphasize on water resources, water quality and community services and resource management versus impacts. Critical areas such as balancing water surplus against deficit, quality maintenance against health scenario and issues in policy making for the water regime in Kochi region is assessed in terms of embedded risks.
DE: 0345 Pollution: urban and regional (0305, 0478, 4251)
DE: 0478 Pollution: urban, regional and global (0345, 4251)
DE: 0493 Urban systems
DE: 0496 Water quality
DE: 4251 Marine pollution (0345, 0478)
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting