PROJECT #2001-20
An Assessment of Nutrient, Sediment and Carbon Fluxes to the
Coastal Zone in South Asia and their Relationship to Human Activities
| Project Leader |
Dr. Janaka RATNASIRI
Chairman, IGBP National Committee
c/o Sri Lanka Association for the
Advancement of Science
120/10 Vidya Mawata
Colombo 07
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94-1-691-681
Fax: +94-1-691-681
Email: slaas@slt.lk
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| Funding |
Year 1 (2001/2002): US $40,000
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| Participating countries |
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
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Introduction/Background
An assessment of the nutrient, sediment and carbon fluxes of the coasts,
their impacts on socio-economic conditions and the linkages with policies
are necessary for the understanding of global biogeochemical cycles and
the impacts of global change in coastal zones. The present study, initially
limited to one year, was conducted with the following objectives:
- Establish a network of researchers and institutions engaged in research
and policy analysis related to fluxes of material to the coastal zone.
- Identify, assess and share existing studies (methodologies and results)
related to material fluxes, their origins and impacts on the critical functions
of coastal systems.
- Identify critical gaps in information and knowledge of processes
and undertake some regional studies to address these needs.
Outline of activities conducted
- Creation of a Network and Web Site
A website giving information in respect of each participating countries
activities, details of the scientists involved in the project, reports
of studies undertaken and selected papers presented at the Training Workshop
held in Colombo 2000 was posted on the web. The URL is <www.coastal-fluxes.slt.lk>
- Collection of Data Already Available
All countries, except Nepal, collected information on the data that
had been collected previously on nutrient, sediment and carbon from their
estuaries, rivers, reservoirs and coastal areas. These were supplemented
with data on population and human activities in the coastal zones, including
discharge of organic matter, fertilizer run-off data and water abstraction
data. Nepal had carried out a literature survey of work done in South Asia
on sediment fluxes and developed a model using a GIS system. Detailed reports
are posted on the website.
- Gap-Filling Studies
Bangladesh
The nutrient flow status of the lower Meghna estuary was undertaken
during the monsoon period and the results are given on the website. Preparation
for the second sampling round in the post-monsoon season has been completed.
India
Data was collected on the pollution potential of different industries
in coastal states of India, waste water and solid waste generation, effluent
treatment and disposal system, water supply and waste water collection,
treatment and disposal in coastal towns in India.
Nepal
The first phase of the project introduced a simplified sediment sampling
method at a few hydrometric stations to collect the monsoon season sediment
flow. The field methods were re-evaluated with the standard methods at
Narayanghat station on the Narayani River.
Pakistan
Water and sediment samples and physical data were collected at selected
stations on the Khobar Creek and Kotri Barrage areas. The field trip to
Khobar Creek was carried out in the first week of November 2001. A forty
kilometre long stretch in the creek was surveyed and sampled.
Sri Lanka
A study of fertiliser runoff from rain-fed paddy cultivation was conducted.
The surface and ground water quality, stream discharge and rainfall, were
measured at the outlet of a catchment of about two hundred hectares in
extent. Weekly surveys of nearly one hundred farmers engaged in cultivation
were made to obtain information about the quantity and type of fertiliser
used.
Outcomes/Products
1. A network of researchers and institutions involved in studies related
to the sources, quantification and impacts of nutrient and sediment fluxes
supported by a dedicated website.
2. A compilation of existing studies and data on nutrient and sediment
fluxes to the coastal zones in the region.
3. Results of the gap-filling studies carried out by participating
researchers.
Future directions/Follow-up work
It should be mentioned that collection of data from rivers and estuaries
is highly seasonal and is tied to monsoons. In the current phase, measurements
were taken only in the second half of the year. It is proposed to extend
the measurements in the second year, enabling us to:
- Extend gap-filling studies to cover the first half of the year, which
is essential to construct a more complete year-round picture and collect
data on human activities in coastal areas.
- Synthesis of existing information on nutrient and sediment fluxes
with a focus on the linkages to socio-economic conditions and policies
and to build a regional model for South Asia, and possibly have it accepted
as a LOICZ site.
- Capacity building of participating scientists through study visits
to collaborating institutions in Australia and the USA (consent already
given) and field sites in other participating countries.
- Hold a Regional Workshop to review and analyse the findings of the
studies, compare the results and present the biogeochemical budgets constructed
for different sites.
- Prepare a set of detailed recommendations for policy makers, and
formulate proposals for further studies.
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