• S. Nandhini
• Abishikha S

Beaches are popular vacation destinations across the globe, and many nations have acknowledged the issue of seawater contamination. The present study was carried out to analyse the difference in quality between rural and urban beaches during post-lockdown. Water and soil samples were collected post-lockdown in the year 2021 and 2023 from Tiruchendur and Marina beaches in Tamil Nadu and were analyzed for physico-chemical and biological parameters. A statistical survey was also done to understand the awareness of the public in this area. Microbial presence was detected using spread plate technique and colonies were enumerated. According to the experimental results performed in the year 2021 and 2023, the number of bacteria in the soil sample was 6.55 x106 CFU/g (S1) and 6.4 x106 CFU/g (S2) and 2.43 x107 CFU/g (S1) and 2.9 x107 CFU/g (S2), respectively. Similarly, the bacterial count in the water sample was TLTC (S1 & S2) in 2021 and 6.5 x 108 CFU/mL (S1) and 7.0 x108 CFU/mL (S2) in 2023. Gram positive organisms such as Staphylococcus sp., Sarcina sp., Micrococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Corynebacterium sp., Bacillus sp., were found to be the dominating organisms in seawater. The total coliforms and other Gram-negative organisms such as E. coli, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Acinetobacter were found to be high in sand, rather than in seawater during both the years. Due to high population activity, the samples collected after two years expressed high microbial load indicating increased contamination and suspended particulate matter.

Seawater, Marine, Gram-positive Organisms, Coliforms

"A Post-lockdown Comparative Study of Microbial and Environmental Quality of Rural and Urban Beaches of Tamil Nadu", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 11, page no.g295-g304, November-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2411626.pdf

"A Post-lockdown Comparative Study of Microbial and Environmental Quality of Rural and Urban Beaches of Tamil Nadu", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 11, page no. ppg295-g304, November-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2411626.pdf