Kovalam Wetland Restoration
120-acre coastal wetland restored from eutrophic stagnation to a self-regulating habitat. Algal blooms suppressed and dissolved-oxygen profile re-calibrated using site-specific microbial consortia.
- Location
- Tamil Nadu, India
- Year
- 2024
- Client
- State Coastal Authority
- Scope
- 120 acres · phased rollout
- Duration
- 11 months
94%
Clarity restored
37
Native species returned
11
Months to deliver
◆ The challenge
What we
walked into.
Decades of agricultural runoff had pushed the wetland into chronic eutrophication. Algal mats covered more than 60% of the surface, oxygen levels collapsed below 2 mg/L, and three keystone bird species had abandoned the site. Conventional dredging had failed twice in the past decade.
◆ Before · After
The shift, in one frame.
Baseline
Eutrophic stagnation · DO < 2 mg/L · 60% algal cover
Outcome state
Self-regulating habitat · DO > 6 mg/L · 37 native species
◆ Our approach
Calibrated,
not generic.
- 01
Site-specific microbial consortia
We sequenced sediment samples at 18 stations and engineered a consortia tuned to the wetland's exact nutrient and salinity profile — no generic blends.
- 02
Calibrated aeration ladder
Solar-powered diffused aeration was phased across nine zones over six months to avoid shocking remaining native life while raising DO above 6 mg/L.
- 03
Telemetry-led iteration
32 continuous biomarker nodes streamed turbidity, DO, BOD and nitrate every 15 minutes. Dosing was adjusted weekly against the live signal, not a fixed schedule.
◆ Outcome
By month 11, the wetland sustained a stable trophic state without further intervention. Bird census recorded 37 returning native species, water clarity hit 94% of reference baseline, and the audit dossier passed state environmental review on first submission.
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