Impact of Thermal Discharge from a Tropical Coastal Power Plant on Physico-chemical Properties with Special Nutrients of Kalpakkam Coastal Area, Southeastern Coast of India

Abstract

Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam, southeast coast of India discharges cooling water from the power plant into coastal environments. Present study focussed on the seasonal variations in the water quality of coastal water bodies caused by the release of warm water from the power station. The finding reveals that the coastal waters are significantly influenced by freshwater input from the nearby backwaters, such as Edaiyur and Sadras. pH displayed alkaline condition in most of the stations except few stations (S3, S4, S7 and S11) and it varied from (6.3 – 8.0) The nutrient concentration in the coastal waters increases significantly throughout the study period but the phytoplankton production is adversely affected which is reflected by relatively low concentrations of chl-a. It shows that Kalpakkam coast is not adversely affected by thermal pollution or eutrophication and influenced by backwaters inflow and contains traits and characteristics pertaining to an unpolluted environment.