Is urban development around Laem Chabang Port, Thailand, sustainable? Nitin Agarwala, Worawut Poma, Effi Helmy Ariffin, Abdullah Açık, Ikha Magdalena, Punarut Sirichokpokin, Narthsirinth Netirith, Naruphun Chotechuang, Htet Khaing Kyi Lin, R. Nagalakshmi, Lanlila Chitsom, Chalida Pohma E3s Web of Conferences, 2025 Mega ports are believed to urbanize their surrounding areas quickly. However, literature confirming that they actually accelerate long-term land-use development is limited. There is, hence, a need to investigate land-use changes before and after the development of a port to evaluate the interconnection and influence between such ports and their neighboring areas. This study aims to evaluate historical land-use changes between 1975 and 2021 around Laem Chabang port, the biggest container port in Thailand, using satellite images obtained from Google Earth and the U.S. Geological Survey. Standard procedures of spatiotemporal analysis were implemented for analysis. Key findings show that urbanization was rapid during the port development planning and construction phase but slowed down soon after. Accordingly, one can infer that mega ports may be considered only as a temporary catalyst for surrounding urbanization and do not bring about urbanization on a permanent basis. This study is considered important as it provides a good understanding of the relationship between urbanizing and ports and can help develop a strategy to establish a balance between coastal urban development and environmental protection.
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION USING GIS-BASED INTERPOLATION: A COMPARISON OF THE KOLLIDAM AND PALAR RIVER ESTUARIES R. Nagalakshmi, Aswath Balaji V., V. Saichand, Pravakar Mishra Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 2025 Water is an indispensable renewable resource on earth and the quality of water directly forms the platform for a balanced socio-economic development and cannot be utilized until its quality is assessed. The life of the majority of aquatic plants and animals depends on pH, salinity, and temperature, making them crucial water monitoring parameters. In this current study, the pH, salinity, and water temperature for the Kollidam and Palar River estuary have been assessed using GIS. Interpolation being a vital tool in GIS was used to find the dispersion of pH, Salinity, and Water temperature throughout the study areas. Applying Inverse Distance Weighing, a total of 7 stations at Palar and 18 stations at Kollidam estuary was computed. The results show that water temperature ranged from 28°- 33.5° Celsius, pH varied from 7.3 to 8.4 and salinity ranged between 5 ppt and 35 ppt. The correlation between pH and Temperature was 0.408 and 0.251 and the correlation between pH and Salinity was -0.590 and -0.568 for Kollidam and Palar River estuaries respectively. This shows a strong relationship between pH and Temperature and a weak relationship between pH and salinity. The results highlight that the pH and salinity have slightly increased than the normal level and this may lead to marine organisms shifting or even extinctions in the future. This study shows the importance of looking into long-term solutions for preserving river estuaries' water quality. Policymakers aiming to monitor and evaluate water quality and use environmentally friendly technology in the future can find valuable insights from this study.
ASSESSMENT OF MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION IN COASTAL BELT OF CHENNAI, TAMILNADU Ramesh Somasundaram, Nagalakshmi Radhakrishnan Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 2024 Microplastic pollution in the marine environment has drawn attention from all over the world due to the potential harm it could bring to both the ecosystem and human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of microplastics in the Adyar and Coovum river estuaries in Chennai by means of water and sediment sample analysis. While soil samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, water samples were analysed using FTIR Spectroscopy. Our results show that microplastics are present in sediment and water samples, and their presence is verified by unique diffraction and spectroscopic patterns. This study provides important new information about the level of microplastic pollution in these important water basins. Developing efficient methods to lessen the effects of microplastics requires an understanding of their sources and dispersion. The techniques used in this work offer a strong basis for more research and observational projects. This study highlights the need for sustainable management techniques and adds to a better understanding of environmental concerns by addressing the complicated issue of microplastic pollution in particular geographical places. Our study highlights the need for focused intervention methods and policy frameworks aimed at minimizing the negative effects of microplastic contamination by illuminating the presence of microplastics in Chennai's coastal waterways. Our research highlights the significance of cooperative efforts among stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to develop efficient strategies for the prevention, monitoring, and remediation of microplastic pollution as we work to preserve the integrity of marine ecosystems and protect human well-being.
The Impact of Microplastic Contamination on the Coastal Environment of Chennai Somasundaram Ramesh, , Radhakrishnan Nagalakshmi, and Applied Environmental Biotechnology, 2024 Microplastic contamination in the Chennai coastal region is a growing concern due to the intake of abandoned garbage from various sources. This study aimed to assess the extent of microplastic contamination by analyzing microplastic trash collected from 25 spots along the Tamil Nadu coast, spanning a distance of 1076 kilometers. The results revealed that microplastic contamination was more prevalent during higher wave conditions compared to lower tides. Shorelines near riverbanks exhibited significantly higher quantities of microplastics than those affected by fisheries and tourist activities. The main types of microplastics found were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, with plastic shards comprising the majority of the trash (47-50%). Furthermore, analyses of fish species collected from shore regions showed that 10.1% of the fishes had consumed plastic particles. This emphasizes the potential risk of microplastics entering the marine food chain. The study highlights the need for microplastic filtering from estuaries, coastline waters, and other potential sources. In conclusion, microplastic contamination poses a serious hazard to the Chennai coastal region. Urgent measures are required to mitigate and reduce microplastic pollution, particularly near river openings, to protect the marine ecosystem and the food chain. Efforts should focus on preventing the entry of microplastics into the environment and promoting sustainable waste management practices to safeguard the coastal ecosystem.
2015 flood assessment in Kanchipuram district of Tamilnadu using GIS Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 2016
Water quality analysis using gis interpolation method in serthalaikadu Lagoon, east coast of India Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 2016
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The Living Degraders of Plastics: Microbial to Multicellular Perspectives R Nagalakshmi, SR Shanmathi, V Saichand, P Mishra, SR Marigoudar Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 104428 , 2026 2026
Classification, Quantification and Management of Marine Litter Along the Covelong Beach of Tamil Nadu R Nagalakshmi, A Joseph, V Aswath Balaji, V Saichand, K Nagamani, ... Remote Sensing, GIS and Modelling for Water Resource Management: Volume 2 … , 2025 2025
A preliminary assessment of microplastics in the waters and sediments of the second‑largest freshwater lagoon in India V Saichand, R Nagalakshmi Environ Monit Assess 197, 275 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Is urban development around Laem Chabang Port, Thailand, sustainable? N Agarwala, W Poma, EH Ariffin, A Açık, I Magdalena, P Sirichokpokin, ... E3S Web of Conferences 679, 01004 , 2025 2025
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION USING GIS-BASED INTERPOLATION: A COMPARISON OF THE KOLLIDAM AND PALAR RIVER ESTUARIES R Nagalakshmi, V Saichand, P Mishra Regional Studies in Marine Science 83 , 2025 2025
Abundance, distribution and characterization of microplastics in tropical river estuary, South East Coast of India M Begum, R Nagalakshmi, A Joseph, A Balaji, V Saichand, T Kaviarasan, ... Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 235 (8), 486 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Microplastic contamination in Kollidam River Estuary, east Coast of India: A comparative study across inner, outer and mangrove estuarine regions R Nagalakshmi, A Joseph, VA Balaji, V Saichand, M Begum, ... Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 235 (8), 475 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Investigating the Link Between Urban Expansion and Land Surface Temperature using GIS and Spectral Indices. The case of Peri urban South Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi 2024
Microplastic Contamination Analysis For Chennai Coastal Region S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi Applied Environmental Biotechnology 8 (2), 10-17 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Assessing spatiotemporal changes in landcover using geospatial and remote sensing techniques in the Southern fringes of Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195 (11), 1310 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Impact due to microplastics pollution in coastal environment along Chennai Coast S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi Annals of Forest Research 66 (2) , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
14 Assessing Sprawl AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Geoinformatics for Sustainable Urban Development, 229 , 2023 2023
Assessing sprawl characteristics in the peri-urban regions of indian metropolises through geospatial studies with a special study of southern chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Geoinformatics for Sustainable Urban Development, 229-255 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Application of geoinformatics to classify the landcover from satellite imagery using NDVI–A case of peri-urban regions of Southern Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi, D Pakrasi IOP conference series: Earth and environmental science 1210 (1), 012034 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Understanding urban sprawl trends in peri urban regions across global cities-survey of case studies AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Cities & Health 7 (3), 492-504 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Assessing spatio temporal changes in landcover using geospatial and remote sensing techniques in the fringes of Southern Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi 2023
Seasonal changes in physico-chemical parameters of Thondi Coast waters, Palk Bay, South East coast, India SS Hullas, A Priya, R Nagalakshmi, C Stella Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research-DISCONTINUED 11 , 2023 2023
Water quality assessment and occurrence of seagrass associated pen shell Pinna bicolor (Gmelin, 1791) and Pinna deltodes (Menke, 1843) in Pudupattinam Coastal Area, Palk Bay … SS Hullas, C Stella, M Biruntha, A Priya, R Nagalakshmi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195 (1), 6 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CURRENT TRENDS IN INDIA R Nagalakshmi, K Nagamani, RS Devi Ecological Environment: A New Perspective, 242 , 2022 2022
Micro plastic contaminant in marine environment in Chennai coast S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi AIP conference proceedings 2516 (1), 060001 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Review on bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques of heavy metals in contaminated soil from dump site R Praveen, R Nagalakshmi Materials Today: Proceedings 68, 1562-1567 , 2022 2022 Citations: 40
Water quality analysis using gis interpolation method in serthalaikadu Lagoon, east coast of India R Nagalakshmi, K Prasanna, SP Chandar Rasayan Journal of Chemistry 9 (4), 634-640 , 2016 2016 Citations: 32
Understanding urban sprawl trends in peri urban regions across global cities-survey of case studies AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Cities & Health 7 (3), 492-504 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Microplastic contamination in Kollidam River Estuary, east Coast of India: A comparative study across inner, outer and mangrove estuarine regions R Nagalakshmi, A Joseph, VA Balaji, V Saichand, M Begum, ... Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 235 (8), 475 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Abundance, distribution and characterization of microplastics in tropical river estuary, South East Coast of India M Begum, R Nagalakshmi, A Joseph, A Balaji, V Saichand, T Kaviarasan, ... Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 235 (8), 486 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Influence of COVID-19 on microplastics pollution in coastal water and sediment of chennai, India S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi Advances in Construction Management: Select Proceedings of ACMM 2021, 547-563 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Material analysis of artificial reef structure using silica fume and their corresponding Review about the structural material R Nagalakshmi, PM Rameshwaran, FS Mary Materials Today: Proceedings 46, 3677-3683 , 2021 2021 Citations: 7
Application of geoinformatics to classify the landcover from satellite imagery using NDVI–A case of peri-urban regions of Southern Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi, D Pakrasi IOP conference series: Earth and environmental science 1210 (1), 012034 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Impact due to microplastics pollution in coastal environment along Chennai Coast S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi Annals of Forest Research 66 (2) , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
Treatment of wastewater by slow sand process with polystyrene B Sasivarman, R Nagalakshmi, M Harikaran Materials Today: Proceedings 68, 1648-1653 , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
2015 flood assessment in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu using GIS R Nagalakshmi, K Prasanna Rasayan Journal of Chemistry 9 (4), 798-805 , 2016 2016 Citations: 4
Assessing spatiotemporal changes in landcover using geospatial and remote sensing techniques in the Southern fringes of Chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195 (11), 1310 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Micro plastic contaminant in marine environment in Chennai coast S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi AIP conference proceedings 2516 (1), 060001 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Purification of household and automobiles wastewater using natural coagulant B Sasivarman, R Nagalakshmi Materials Today: Proceedings 68, 1711-1717 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
A preliminary assessment of microplastics in the waters and sediments of the second‑largest freshwater lagoon in India V Saichand, R Nagalakshmi Environ Monit Assess 197, 275 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Microplastic Contamination Analysis For Chennai Coastal Region S Ramesh, R Nagalakshmi Applied Environmental Biotechnology 8 (2), 10-17 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Assessing sprawl characteristics in the peri-urban regions of indian metropolises through geospatial studies with a special study of southern chennai AR Narayani, R Nagalakshmi Geoinformatics for Sustainable Urban Development, 229-255 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Water quality assessment and occurrence of seagrass associated pen shell Pinna bicolor (Gmelin, 1791) and Pinna deltodes (Menke, 1843) in Pudupattinam Coastal Area, Palk Bay … SS Hullas, C Stella, M Biruntha, A Priya, R Nagalakshmi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195 (1), 6 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Preliminary water sample analysis in Ennore oil spill area R Nagalakshmi, PM Rameshwaran, R Santhosh Rasayan Journal of Chemistry 11 (1) , 2018 2018 Citations: 1
Comparative analysis of terrain characteristics of Udhagamandalam, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu R Nagalakshmi, D Pakrasi Ecology, Environment and conservation 23 (2), 1154-1160 , 2017 2017 Citations: 1