N.M. Guruprasad and S.H. Basavarajappa
Abstract
Estuaries have diverse ecosystem depending on nutrients inflow from the rivers. Aghanashini and Sharavati estuaries are located on the West Coast of India. Aghanashini is the free-flowing river whereas Sharavati is altered by hydroelectric dams. We investigated the nutrient quality of Aghanashini and Sharavati Estuary. We analysed nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrate, sodium and chloride concentrations which showed significantly higher concentration in Aghanashini estuary compared to hydroelectrically dammed Sharavati estuary. This research acts as conservation tool to conserve the last major free-flowing river of Uttara Kannada-Aghanashini.