Geochemical Evaluation of Offshore Tsunami Deposits

Sediments were collected from the inner shelf off Puducherry - Cuddalore and Karaikal – Velankanni in August 2004 and in January 2005. Of the 60 samples collected onboard CRV Sagar Paschimi 20 each are off Puducherry Cuddalore and the coast from Karaikal to Velankanni. The collection of sediments during January 2005 is 15 days after the devastation of the southeast coast of India by IOT. Therefore the sediments besides providing an opportunity to assess the environmental health and pollution of the marine ecosystem in the areas but also to assess the characters of offshore tsunami deposits.