Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies experts cite salt spray for scorching
Kochi: The scorching and wilting of plants reported from various parts of Kerala coast recently was the result of salt spray, according to a study by the scientists of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
After observing the samples of sea water, soil and plants collected from the affected areas, an expert committee comprising oceanographers, geologists, meteorologists, biologists and chemists prepared an interim report which ruled out heat wave or burst.
“Heat waves occur locally in a maximum of three-km stretch and are very rare. The atmosphere has low temperature during the monsoon. Since this phenomenon happened all along the coast, we rule out the possibilities of heat wave,” said Dr S. Suresh Kumar, professor of the varsity and the head of the committee.
The report said that salt nucleus formed from salt spray due to strong winds resulted in the wilting of plants. “There is high chance of salt spray. Aerosols with high salt content will be formed by the action of wind on wave surfing. The occurrence of rain and sunlight at regular intervals during this monsoon may have aggravated the situation,” the report said.
“This is more likely to be an oceanic process and it should be studied in detail with reference to atmospheric, oceanographic and chemical aspects,” said Dr B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice-Chancellor of KUFOS.
The expert committee would conduct a detailed, long-term survey on the oceanographic aspects such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea level rise and variations in tides all along the Kerala coast to study the impact of climate change and associated phenomena, the VC said.
Environement Scientist says, ‘No, it is heat burst’
While the scientists of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies say that the scorching of plants along the Kerala coast was due to salt spray, noted environmental scientist Dr Sainuddin Pattazhy opines that it was caused by heat burst.
He based his findings on the field study conducted along the coastal belts of Alappuzha and Kollam. Despite the severe salt spray, no scorching of the coconut trees was noticed at Arattupuzha in Thrikkunnapuzha panchayat in Alappuzha district.
In addition, unusually warm wind was felt on the course of the field study proving the impact of heat burst. Even in 2014, when salt wind was at its peak, no scorching of plants was noted.
“The basic reason for the present phenomenon is heat burst in which the rain from a decaying thunderstorm falls through a layer of dry air which evaporates and cools rapidly. This creates a localised pocket of dense cool air that is much heavier than its surroundings,” Dr Sainuddin, who is also the president of the Kerala environmental researchers association, told.
When the air descends, it warms up due to compression, overshoots the atmospheric equilibrium and spreads out like a pancake. Those in the area will experience strong winds and a rapid increase in atmospheric temperature.
If scorching is due to acid rain, the people may suffer burns, and if it is salt spray the coconut leaves would show the signs. In case of the heat wave, it lasts for a couple of months.
The effects of a heat burst can last up to an hour until the atmosphere equalises or the heat dissipates. Because the air descends rapidly, strong winds usually accompany the heat burst, he said.
