The present study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and the textural structure of sediments in Tuticorin coastal area for a period of six months during July 2014-December 2014 from 3 stations which were fixed in and around 5 km from ash slurry discharge point of Tuticorin thermal power plant. The pH values were increased with increase of distance from the ash slurry discharge point. The organic carbon of the stations varied from 4.236 to 7.85 %. Nitrogen content varied from 0.025 to 0.074 %. Calcium content ranged between 315.2 to 576.4 mg/g. Sediment texture ranged in terms of percentage of sand, silt, and clay were 36.9 to 90.35 % , 1.5 to 36.7 % and 15 to 35.3 % respectively at all stations. It was observed that organic carbon, nitrogen, and calcium in the sediments were high in station 1 due to ash slurry.
Keywords: Physico-Chemical Characteristics; Thermal Power Plant; Organic Carbon; Sediment Texture