|
|
Research Projects
The Institute for Ocean Management has taken up a number of research
and consultancy projects funded by several International/Government
organizations such as the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC),
U.K; The World Bank; Volkswagen Research Foundation, and Gesselschaft
für Technische Zusamenarbeit (GTZ), Germany; International Foundation
for Science (IFS), Sweden; UNICEF; UNESCO, Department of Ocean Development
(DOD), Govt. of India; Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO);
Department of Space, Govt. of India; Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Govt. of India; Department of Atomic Energy; University Grants Commission;
Department of Science and Technology, Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water
Mission; All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), etc.,
to name a few. IOM also receives financial assistance to cover recurring
expenditure from the State Government, and national agencies for training
programmes, short-term courses, and seminars. More than Rs. 60 million
has been received in the past 5 years as research grant. About 18
research projects have been completed during the years 1995 - 2000,
and 12 research projects with a total grant of Rs. 35 million are
currently on- going.
Research Projects Ongoing
Research Projects Completed
International Collaborations
RESEARCH PROJECTS ONGOING
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan Preparation
for Andaman and Nicobar islands
Funded by : Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI
Period : 2002- 2004
Cost : Rs.83.00 lakhs
The objective of the project is to promote the sustainable development
of natural and physical resources and the maintenance of coastal ecological
processes and genetic diversity in coastal resources of Andaman and
Nichobar islands through Integrated Coastal Zone Management plans.
Coastal regulation zone information system for Tamil
Nadu
Funded by : Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI
Period : 2003
Cost : Rs.2.77 lakhs
Coastal regulation zone maps of Tamil Nadu were digitized and an information
system is developed using ARC INFO and ARC VIEW GIS.
Digitization of Coastal Zone management plans for
east coast of India
Funded by : Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI
Period : 2002 - 2003
Cost : Rs.13.00 lakhs
Coastal regulation zone maps of east coast of India were digitized and
an information system is developed using ARC INFO and ARC VIEW GIS.
Nitrification, Denitrification and Nitrous Oxide in
Indian Mangrove Ecosystems
Funded by : Natural Environment Research Council., U.K.
Period : September 2002 - August 2005
Cost : £ 275,000 (approx. 2.0 Crores)
The need to improve
our understanding of mangrove N cycling and to evaluate its contribution
to the global flux of tropospheric N2O is paramount and should be a
high research priority. We will examine the mangrove contribution to
global N2O using detailed studies of N fluxes, nitrification and denitrification
rates and associated N2O production and atmospheric flux at carefully
selected contrasting mangrove sites. Using these data we will develop
a generic model of mangrove N cycling and N2O flux that should be of
value in aiding future predictions of tropospheric N2O growth. These
outputs will allow identification of the climatic consequences of mangrove
exploitation, information that will aid strategies for sustainable coastal
development
DST-DAAD (2001 - 2003). Assessment of Pollutant Loadings
on River Adyar and River Elbe and their Environmental Impacts
Funded by : Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), Germany
& Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India
Period : April 2001 - March 2004
Cost : DM. 40,000 (Approx. 8 Lakhs)
The impact of urban pollution on river and groundwater quality is the
primary foci of this research work. The Adyar River flows through the
city of Chennai (Madras), India for a distance of 14 km, before it joins
the Bay of Bengal. The total length of the river is 40 km with a water-spread
area of 850 km2. Urban pollution, mainly contributed by wastewater disposal
from within the city limits and industrial effluents enter the river
through several outlets. We studied the river surface water and the
adjacent groundwater quality with reference to pollution by organic
wastes, trace metals and other major elements. We have identified and
quantified "system controls" and "import-export dynamics" in addition
to estimating the effects of pollution and its possible feedback on
the Adyar river system.
Biogeochemistry of Western Ghats region between Goa
and Mangalore using Remote Sensing and other modern techniques
Funded by : Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India
Period : April 2001 - March 2004
Cost : Rs. 5.40 lakhs
Advances in remote sensing systems have resulted in instruments, which
are ideal for eco-investigations. The present study will undertake an
assessment of TM data as a remote sensing tool for monitoring water
quality parameters with special emphasis on organic and other nutrients
in the Western Ghats are, as a test site. The spatial and temporal distribution
of nutrients and amino acid pigments, C.N. P transport in relation to
biogeochemical parameters (satellite) has to be studied and the need
for region and season specific relationship between different parameters
has to be emphasized, which can provide output for biogeochemical models.
Nutrient over-enrichment in coastal ecosystems: Cause
and Effect Funded by : Indian Space Research Organization-Global Change
Programme (ISRO-GBP), Govt. of India Period : April 2001 - March
2004
Cost : Rs. 25.00 lakhs
Two distinctly diverse wetlands i) Pichavaram mangroves and ii) Pulicat
lake ecosystem in South India were taken as specific sites for this
study due to the varying degree of physico-chemical and anthropogenic
influences. Also, for comparison, other coastal wetlands viz: the Adyar
river and estuary, the Ennore Creek Lagoon and the Bay of Bengal were
sampled. However, extensive sampling in the two study areas Pichavaram
and Pulicat Lake were undertaken, including areas influenced by freshwater
and sea water inputs as well as other anthropogenic sources. The gas
samples were collected periodically, using the closed chamber technique.
In addition, several physical and chemical parameters in sediment and
surface water were also monitored.
WRCP/ IWS (June 2002 - December 2002). Impacts of
urban pollution on the Adyar River and the adjacent groundwaters of
Chennai city
Funded by : Water Resources Consolidation Project (WRCP)/
World Bank / IWS, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Period : June 2002 - December 2002
Cost : Rs. 8.00 lakhs
The primary objectives of the project include the evaluation of
surface and groundwater quality and heavy metal distribution in sediments.
In addition, the project will identify and quantify the hotspots in
CH4 and H2S production in the river and creek waters. The application
of a model to assess the impact of pollutant loads on the coastal environment
and to integrate numerical models and environmental data with the geographical
information and display system will also be made.
EMCB- ENVIS Coastal Zone Management
Funded by: Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)
Period: October 2002 - March 2004
Cost: 6.75 lakhs
ENVIS is a decentralized system using the distributed network of databases
to ensure national efforts in environmental information, collection,
storage, retrieval and dissemination to all concerned including policy
decision makers, research workers and the public. The objective of this
project is to collect, collate and disseminate information relevant
to the coastal Zone management aspects, by creation of a web page and
interactions through the net.
Zonation of Coastal Water
Funded by : Department of Ocean Development (DOD), New Delhi
Period: October
2002 - March 2004
Cost: 69.52 lakhs
The objective of this project is to find the best us of coastal
water, on reports based on water parameters.
Impacts of developmental activities on tidal wetlands
and biodiversity in Tuticorin coastal area
Funded by :DOD-OSTC
Period: October
2002 - March 2004
Cost: 14.40 lakhs
|