The Sundarbans in Bangladesh part is one of the largest mangrove forests in the tropics comprising about six thousand square kilometers of forest area. It possesses unique character of having ebb and tide at every six hours, hence having salinity intrusion in its rivers and canals from Bay of Bengal. The forest is experiencing heavy saline intrusion in its lower saline zones. Therefore, there is a need to enumerate the saline water intensity in various zones of the forest. Present study tries to find out how much saline intensity exists in different rivers and canals of the Sundarbans. Results depicts that saline intensity was much higher in southwestern part, where it is moderate in northeastern part. Present study reveals the range of PH values between 6.5 and 7.7. PH was found to be lower in Kachikhali and Karamjol points, where Katka, Dublar char and Hiron point shows higher value i.e. near alkaline water. Western zone is higher saline intensive than eastern part. Electrical conductivity found to be between 5.2 and 24 dSm-1 (desi siemens per meter) in different sample collection points. Amount of NaCl (mg/L) was found between 15 and 30 mg/L. Therefore, the Sundarbans river systems and canals have strong saline intensity and the water quality seems to be brackish.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Materials and methods
2.1 Materials
2.2 Study site
2.3 Physiography
2.4 Collection of saline water sample from the Sundarbans
2.5 Procedure to determine the amount of salt present in sample water
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this study is to quantify and analyze the saline water intensity across various rivers and canals within the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh to understand the ecological impact of salinity intrusion.
- Spatial variation of salinity levels from the southwestern to the northeastern parts of the forest.
- Assessment of water quality parameters, specifically pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and NaCl concentration.
- The relationship between tidal dynamics and seasonal salinity fluctuations in the mangrove ecosystem.
- Impact of environmental changes on the fragile mangrove forest floor and its susceptibility to saline intrusion.
Excerpt from the Book
Collection of saline water sample from the Sundarbans
Saline water from the rivers and streams in the Sundarbans were collected from five different stations. For each stations, ten water samples were collected and preserved in airtight bottled where no chance of being changed in concentrations were present. The methodology followed for collecting sample water from stations was similar to that of Faruk-E-Azam and Zaman (2010) and Rashid et al. (2008). Collection of saline water was accomplished at five different stations, viz. Karamjol, Kachikhali, Katka sea beach, Dublar char and Hiron point (here the local names have been used).
Table 1 describes the respective rivers from which the sample was taken at different stations of the forest. It showed that different stations fall within different rivers and canals. Water pH was measured according to Ghosh et al. (1983) using glass electrode pH meter. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured using conductivity meter according to Tandon (1995).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the Sundarbans as a global Ramsar site and World Heritage site, highlighting its ecological significance as a transition zone between freshwater rivers and the saline Bay of Bengal.
Materials and methods: This section details the scientific instruments and laboratory procedures used to measure water quality, including pH meters and refractometers, while providing an overview of the Sundarbans' geography and physiography.
Results: This chapter presents the measured data regarding saline intensity, pH values, Electrical Conductivity, and NaCl concentrations across five distinct sampling stations.
Discussion: This section analyzes the gathered data in comparison with previous research, highlighting the observed salinity fluctuations and confirming that the western zone of the forest experiences higher saline intensity than the eastern zone.
Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the study's findings, reiterating the increasing salinity gradient from north to south and east to west, which poses a continuous challenge to the mangrove ecosystem.
Keywords
Saline intensity, pH, EC, NaCl, Saline zone, Bangladesh, Sundarbans, mangrove forest, water quality, tidal dynamics, ecological changes, salinity intrusion, coastal ecosystem, environmental monitoring, salinity gradient
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research investigates the saline water intensity within the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh to evaluate current salinity levels and their spatial distribution.
What are the main thematic areas addressed?
The study covers environmental geography, water quality assessment, mangrove ecology, and the impacts of salinity on the forest's fragile ecosystem.
What is the central research question?
The study aims to determine the extent of saline intensity in various rivers and canals and to identify how these levels vary across different ecological zones of the Sundarbans.
Which scientific methods are employed in the study?
The authors used field sampling with airtight collection, glass electrode pH meters for acidity, conductivity meters for EC, and standard laboratory chemical titrations to measure NaCl concentrations.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the physiography of the study sites, details the sampling procedures, presents empirical data on salinity parameters, and discusses findings in the context of seasonal changes and climate-induced stressors.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as saline intensity, pH, EC, NaCl, Saline zone, Sundarbans, and mangrove forest.
How does the salinity level change across the Sundarbans?
The study indicates that salinity is higher in the southwestern and western parts of the forest compared to the northeastern and eastern parts, with an additional increase from north to south.
Why are the measurements of pH and Electrical Conductivity significant?
These measurements provide critical indicators of water quality and determine the brackish nature of the water, which directly influences the zonation patterns and growth of mangrove species.
What role does climate change play in this study?
The research highlights that climate change, through sea-level rise and altered freshwater flow, exacerbates salinity intrusion, potentially threatening the long-term survival of the mangrove ecosystem.
What are the implications of the high NaCl concentrations found?
High NaCl concentrations confirm that the rivers and creeks are prone to strong salinity, which, when combined with tidal interactions, dictates the soil and water characteristics that define the habitat for local flora and fauna.
- Quote paper
- Md. Siddiqur Rahman (Author), Salena Akter (Author), 2009, Saline Zone at the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest of Bangladesh, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/283836
