Intrusion Of Sulphide In Fresh Water Along The Coir-Retting Areas Of The South West Coast Of India.

Conventional retting of coconut husk has caused serious threats to the coastal eco system. Pectinolytic activity of micro organisms like bacteria, fungi and yeast releases large amount of pectin, polyphenols and tannin which account for the formation of high levels of sulphide, phenol and ammonia, apart from nitrate and nitrite in the medium. Presence of Desulphovibrio, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Bacillus, and Aspergillus Niger has confirmed the microbial interference in the pectin degradation. There are strong indications of retting-related toxins, to have intruded into the fresh water system along the coastal belt.