Water quality of three stations representing polluted (Sts. B & S) and relatively unpolluted (St. M) areas along the coast of Bombay was studied during Mar 1981 to May 1982. Stations B & S were characterized by relatively wider fluctuations in salinity, low range of dissolved oxygen and higher BOD, phosphate and nitrate levels. At St. M higher range of dissolved oxygen coupled with low values of BOD and nutrients suggest the prevailing good water quality. The deteriorating water quality of the polluted station probably lead to retarded growth of Saccostrea cucullata and Cerithium rubus living in the shallow intertidal region

Krishnakumari, L.

Nair, V.R.

Aquatic Commons

Journal of the Indian Fisheries Association, 
14 & 15, 1984-85, 49-57 
ON TilE WATER QUALITY OF SELECTED ENVIRONMENTS ALONG 
BOMBAY COAST 
L. KRISHNAKUMARill< AND VIJAYALAKSHMI R. NAIR 
National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Versova, Bombay-400061. 
ABSTRACT 
Water quality of three stations representing polluted ( Sts. B & S) and 
relatively unpolluted (St. M) areas along the coast of Bombay was studied 
during March 1981 to May 1982. Stations B & S were characterised by relatively 
wider fluctuations in salinity, low range of dissolved oxygen and highe.r BOD, 
phosphate and nitrate levels. At St. M higher range of dissolved oxygen coupled 
With low values of BOD and nutrients suggest the prevailing good water quality. 
The deteriorating water quality of the polluted station probably lead to retar· 
ded growth of Saccostrea cucullata and Cerithium rubus living in the <Shallow 
intertidal region. 
INTRODUCTION 
Recent stud~es around Bombay has indicated the presence of deteriora .. 
ting water quaHty at confined areas due to indeterminate discharge of waste 
(Bal & Pradhan, 1945; Ja1yaraman & Gogate, 1957; Jayaraman, Vishwanathan & 
Gogate, 1961; Zingde, Trivedi & Desai, 1979; Nair, Gajbhiye & DeSiai, 1981; 
Nair, Gajbhiye & Sayed, 198 3). Water quality of a:n environment plays an impor-
tant role in the diSitributlion, growth and physiological funotions of the orga-
nisms inhabiting the area. Hence :the ecology of a few molluscs living under 
varying conditions a)ong the coast of Bombay was taken up to evaluate the 
pollution SJtress (Krishnakumari, 1985) and as a part of the programme in for .. 
mart:ion on the water quallity of tlhe very shallow irut:Jertidal flats were studied. 
For comparison stations were selected which are r·epresentative of polluted and 
relatively unpolluted enviranmenvs. MoSit of the relevant physico-chemical para-
meters were considered for evaluating the growth and related aspects of 
Saccostrea cucullata, Cerithium rubus and Tel/ina angulata. 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Water quality at ~three s~tations (Fig. 1) along the coasrt of Bombay was 
monitored during low and high tide for a period of fiflteen months (Ma;rch 81-
May 82). Station Bandm (B) represents a poUuted rocky shore where as 
----------------------------------------
~ Present Address: National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403004 
50 KRTSHNAKUMARI AND NAIR 
0 
72 L.S'E so' 
0 J.5 .1·0 km. 
k-==-1==--=1 N 
10' t 10 A R A 
8 
I 
A 
N 
s 
E 
A 
5' 
0 
lO-
Park 
0 
10 N 
0 0 s~~~~~-4~-------~-----.-~--------~1~3 
GS 0 70° 75° 
Fig. 1 Station locations 
station selected at Mudh (M) is a similar habitart with less contamination. 
Eventhough st<11tion at Sivaji park CS) is a sandy shore,. it is located close to St. 
B having a deterioraJting watJer quality. Saliruity and dissolved oxygen were 
determined by titration fioUowing ·tJhe metJhod given in Strictland and Parson 
(1972). pH was determined on a digital Philips model pH meter. The direct 
und1lution mebhod was adopted for BOD esnimatlion. Methods of Murphy and 
Riley ( 1962) and morrJs and RHey ( 1963) \Vtiroh the modification of Grasshoff 
( 1976) were used respectively for phosphate and ndtrate estimation. 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
Monthly variations in different envi1ronmental parameters during low 
and high tide are gLven in Figs. 2&3. There was no appreciable difference in 
temperature between the stJatlions. Invariably art all the three stations highest 
and Lowest temperatures were recorded respectively in May and January. Seaso:-' 
nally premonsoon period indicated the maximum value (Table I). 
WATER QUALITY OF BOMBAY COAST 
Table I. Average value of various physico-chemical parameters at 
different stations for the monsoon (June-Sept.), post monsoon 
(Oct.-Jan.) and premonsoon (Feb-May) periods, 
Season§ St B 
Monsoon 29.84 
Postmonsoon 28.56 
Pre monsoon 30.50 
Monsoon 26.97 
Postmonsoon 33.66 
Pre monsoon 35.02. 
Monsoon 7.67 
Postmonsoon 7,92 
Pre monsoon 7.89 
Monsoon 4.63 
Postmonsoon 4.19 
Premonsoon 3.66 
Monsoon 2.51 
Postmonsoon 3.32 
Premonsoon 3.14 
Monsoon 4.85 
Postmonsoon 8.16 
Premonsoon 5.44 
Monsoon 30.52 
Postmonsoon 10.13 
Premonsoon 4.25 
Monsoon 13,48 
Postmonsoon 1.32 
Premonsoon 5.62 
St M 
Temperature °C 
29.94 
2.8.57 
30.68 
Salinity (%o) 
28.43 
34.68 
35.75 
pH (Units) 
8.21 
8.05 
8.05 
Dissolved Oxygen (ml/1) 
5.59 
5.74 
4.52 
BOD (ml/l) 
1,30 
2.09 
1.63 
Phosphate ( v g at/ I) 
4.90 
3.87 
1.94 
Nitrate ( Jlg at/l) 
21.05 
9.65 
5.62 
N:P ratio 
5.41 
2.99 
16.81 
St S 
30.13 
28.63! 
30.51 
27.32 
32.78 
33,60 
7.28 
7.89 
7.89 
4.38 
3.:;8 
3.4{ 
4.48 
2.89 
3.63 
7.86 
6.20 
3.05 
28.31 
11,61 
4.82 
3.58 
2.01 
3.74 
51 
Fluctuation in salinity was more at Sts. B & S than at St M. Higher 
salinity has been noticed druring premonsoon period at all the three stations 
(Tabb1e I). Tidal effect on SlalinMy wa~ well marked with higher values for high 
tide (av: 33.19%o at St B; 34.54%o at St. M ·and 32.46%o at St. S) than 
low tide (av: 30.84%o at St B; 32.69%o at St. M and 29.86%o at St. S'). 
25 
20 
33 
3 
27 
33 
27 
33 
30 
27 
52 KRISHNAKUMARI AND NAIR 
.--------~ .. --~--~-----~---------,------------------------, 
(i>---Q lt 
>~--··x HI 
Salinity (%o) 
Temperature °C 
'. 
' 
'x.. ... _~ ' 
·-x 
.
\, .X :x-- ', 
'. /" ',x 
\.-"x ' \ /'/( 
' . / 
X---->f' 
St S 
St M 
St S 
St M 
St.B 
MA MJ JASOND JFMAM 
1981 1982 
?----.£>---
/· 
t>-----&.----
M J J A 
1981 
Dissolved Oxygen (ml/1) St.S 
,A,, 
\ ,/'··--&--- ---..t> 
ll. 
·-.:i 
StM 
' 
' \ ,_ 
ll. •• -
St. 8 
,A 
,"' ', 
\ 
'»~. ):>.----8-' 
' 
' 
/ 
/ 
;¥' 
St.S 
N 0 J F M 
1982 
Fig. 2. Monthly fluctuations iJn temperature, salinity pH & dissolved oxygen 
for high and low tides at different stations. 
_5 
3 
JO 
8 
6 
4 
2 
6 
4 
2 
8·5 
8·5 
7·5 
7·0 
6·5 
85 
80 
7·5 
7·0 
6·5 
8·5 
8 
7·5 
7 
13 
WATER QUALITY OF BOMBAY COAST 53 
In general, pH showed limited variation whh relatively higher values for 
high tide than low tide. Mean value was high at St. M. Seasonal variation was 
not weH marked at any of the s~aJtions studied. However, decrease in pH was 
noticed during Jiune at St M and July at St B. 
Dissolved oxygen values were high at St M when compared to Sts. B & S 
and the recorded mean vaJues for high and low tide were respectively 4.36 & 
3'.49 ml/l (St. B), 5.19 & 5.09 ml/1 (St. M) and 3.74 & 3.37 ml./1 (St. S). 
Invariably high tide showed higher DO than low tide. Stations B&S indicated 
maximum value during monsoon, whereas at relatively unpolluted station peak 
value has been observed during postmonsoon (Table I). 
---------,---------------,---------------~-
s,ochem1col O<yqen Demond 
( ml/1 l 
Nitroto ( )JQ at I I) 
St S 
Phosphote (JJQ ot /1) 
SIS 
50 
40 
30 
20 
10 
St M 
lO 
St M 51 II 
St B 
M- A M J J A S 0 N 0 J F M IJ M Mt\MJJASONDJ FMAM MAN J JA50NOJ FiolA 
l\t6l 1982 1981 198Z 19&1 198Z 
Fig. 3. Monthly variations in biochemical oxygen demand. nitrate and phosphate 
content for high and low tides at di:fferent stations. 
Variation in BOD value was more at Sts. B & S than at St. M. Slight 
increase in BOD was observed during low tide. Mean recorded for low and 
high tide at different stations was re,spectively 3.49 & 2.4 ml/ 1 (St. B.), 1.99; & 
1.3 ml/1 (St. M) and 3.99 and 3.01 ml/1 (St. S). In general low BOD values 
were noticed during monsoon at s.trations B & M. 
Average values for phosphate during ebb & flood period at Sts. B, M & 
S were respectively R.l9 & 5.98 ~g at 1; 3'.3 & 3.36 p.g at/1 and6.57 & 5.14 ~g 
at/1. Compared to St. M. phosphate concentration was ahout two times high 
7~ 
.60 
45 
30 
I 5 
405 
305 
54 KRJSHNAKUMARI AND NAIR 
aJt !Sts. B & S. Seasonal maximum was reoorded during monsool!l at Sts. M & 
S (Table I). and postmonsooo perliod at St. B (Table I). The observed high 
values of phosphate for low tide were more prevalent at Sts. B & S. 
Mean v~a:lue of lllirtmte was relatively low at St. M (14.85 11,g at/1 tor 
lpw tide and 13.57 fLg ait./1 for high tide) than at Sts. B (20.26 fLg at/1 for 
low and 17.4'() fLg atjl foil: hi@h tide) and St. S (18.62 fLg at/l for low and 
15.68 fLg at/1 for high tide) Sea.sonad peak foil: nitrate was during monsoon at 
all the three stations. Tidal varia1lion was well defined with higher values during 
low ~tide than high tide. 
Temperature var1ations at al1l the three stations followed the same 
pattern with peak values in May and low values in December-January. This is 
the normal patttern observed along the nearshore waters of Bombay (Nair, 
Gajbhiye & Desai 1981). Even though salinity flucturutions were well defined 
at all the three stations, a wider variation in saiiniJty was recorded at St. B than 
the other two places. Invariably high tide sustained higher salinity. Dissolved 
Oi.Xygen values were hlghier at St. M as compared to the other two. In general, 
low 'levels of DO were recorded in the polluted creek regions of Bombay 
(.Zingde, Trivedi & Desai 1979; Nair, Gajbhiye & Syed 1983). Off Thal, an 
unpolluted coastal a11ea, south of Bombay DO concentration ranged from 
3.8-9.4 mg/1 (Nair, Gajbhiye, Krishnakumari & Desai, 1983). The solubility of 
oxygen increases as the salinity decreases. This high solubility of oxygen durilllg 
monsoon due to low sa~i111ity might be one of the reason for the increase in 
oxygen during monsoon (Zingde & Desai 1980). BOD at coastal waters of 
Bombay has been reported 11o vary from 0.2 to 2.3 mg/1 (Zingde, Trivedi & 
Desai, 1979). At the creek mgions of Bombay, especially Mahim, Thana and 
Worli Bay, BOD range has been reported respectively as 5.3' to 8.2; 2•1 to 6.3 
and 0.8 to 8.3 mg/1 (Zingde, Tri¥edi & Desai, 1979). In the present study 
a¥erage BOD value at Sts. B & S was highe1r than what has been reported for 
Thana Creek am.d Worli Bay and lower than Mahim Creek. In the coastal 
region of Bombay the phosphate and nit11ate vaJlues Seldom exceed 3 fLg atjL 
and 4 /Lg a.t/1 respectively (Zingde & Desai, 1980). However phosphate and 
nitrate concentrations at Mahim Bay ranged respectively from 8 to 65 fLg at/1 
and 6 .tlo 46 fLg at/1 (Zinlgde & Desai 1980). Phosphate value recorded at 
stations Off Versova and Mahim varied respectively at the rate of 0.66-2.99' and 
1.3~-4.71 f-Lg at./1 whUe at the polluted creek regions of Versova and Thana 
the range was respectively 1.64 to 30.43 and 2.27 to 5.52 fLg at/1 Nair, 
Gajhhiye & Sayed 1983). In the present in¥estigation Sts. B&S indicated higher 
phosphate content of about two times higher than that recorded at St. M. 
An earlier report (Nair, Gajbhiye & Sayed, 1983) shows that mean value for 
nitrate of two polluted stations off Bombay is motre ( 11.2 and 19.41 p.g at /1) 
~han the relatively unpollected stations (5.03 and 7.78 pg at/1). Enrichment 
of coastal waters by nutrients during monsoon due to land drainage with heavy 
WATER QUALITY OF BOMBAY COAST 55 
rainfall has been reported (Reddy & Sankarana.rayanan, 1968; Sankara-
yanan & Qasim, 1969; D'Souza, Sen Gupta, Sanzgiri & Rajagopal, 1981). Phos-
phate and nitrogen concenwa1lion in the surface waters of the sea decreases as 
a result of utilization by phytopltankton but are replenished by decomposition 
of orgooic matter in ~itu by mixing whioh brings back nutrients to the surface 
waters from nicher deeper waters. The worked out nitrogen to phosphate 
ratio indicated that the value during high tide was more at St. B (0.48-2,i.99) 
than 1at Sts. M (1.9-17.5) and S (01.63'-9.58). Discharge of sewage, industrial 
waste and land drainage during monsoon resullted in an increase in nutrient 
oonceilltration at polluted St. B. Eventhough nmrients are rlch, photoplankton 
l)roduction and their assimilation capacity ma,y be less at this region leading 
to a hlhger N.P. ratio. 
Even though St. M & B are comparable because of the rocky sbore 
and similar faunal1 assemblage, there are wen defined diffe.rences in the envi-
ronmental characters studied. St. B was chamctevised by the relutively wider 
fluctuation in sa~inity, ]ow range of disoolved oxygen~ higher BOD and nutrient 
levels. At St. M higher range of dissolved oxygen ooupled with }ow values of 
BOD and nutrient, suggeSit the prevailing good water quality. Ev,en though St 
S is a sandy shotre, the physico-chemical paramete11s of the area is comparable 
with St. B indicating the deteriorating water quality. 
The Mahim area receives massive pollution loads to the ex,tent of 
about 175 mld of sewage, o[ whioh the major fraction is untreated. During 
flood tide the movement of current i,s towards the northeast and during ebb 
tide towards S<outhwest (NIO, 1978). The movement of water showed an 
elliptical pattern. This pattern of circuiliation of water would result in the 
accumul,ation of contaminated sea water released through the Mahim creek 
and Bay. Hence, the expeoted deterioration in the water quaLity is reflected at 
Sts. B & S located in the Mahim Bay. 
The generaJ trend in the pattern of dHferent biological parameters 
studied in S. cucullata and C. rubus collected from pollured and rela~ivcly 
unpolluted areas indicated distinct variations ( Krishnakumari, 1985). It appears 
that the prevailing good water quaLity at St. M results in enhanced growth, 
percentage edibility and condition index of these molluscs (Krishnakumari, 
1985). The average growth ,rates observed for C. rubus and S. cucullata at St. 
M were found to be respectively 1.6 and 1.2 times more than that recorded 
at St. B. PoUuti<>n imposes additional stress on these organisms which results 
in additional energy requirement to Withstand tlhe adverse conditions. This may 
lead to retarded growth of these molluscs as observed at St. B. However, 
the adverse water quality in the polluted area has not reached an alarming state 
and the recovery to normal stage is possdb1le by effective management and 
waking more stringent norms on pollution control. 
56 KRISHNAKUMARl AND NAIR 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
The authors wish to express their gratitude to Director, Nationa~ Insti~ 
tute of Oceanography and Scientist-in-Charge, Regional Centre, NIO, Bombay 
for providing facilities. 
REFERENCES 
Bal, D. V. and Pradlhan, L. B. 1945. A preliminary note on the plankton of 
the Bombay harbour. Curr. Sci. 14: L.ll1-212. 
D'Souza, S. N., Sen Gupta, S., Sanzgivi, S., & Rajagopal, M. D. 1981. Studies 
on nutrients of Mandovi and Zuari river systems. Indian !. Mar. Sci. 
10: 314-321. 
Grasshoff, K., 1976. Methods of sea water analyses, Verlag Chemie, Weinghein. 
317 pp. 
Jayaraman, R. & Gogate, S. S., 1957. Salinity and temperature vadations in 
the surface waters of Arabian Sea off the Bombay and Saurashtra coats. 
Proc. Indian Acad Sci 45 B: 151-164. 
Jayaraman~ R; Viswana1than, R., & Gogate) S. S., 1961. Characteristics of sea 
water near the light house, Bombay. J. mar bioi Ass India 3: 1-5. 
Kfi.shnakumaci, L., 1985. Ecological and biochemical studies with special 
reference to pollution on selected species of molluscs from BombaY., 
Ph. D. Thesis. Bombay University; 322 pp. 
Morris, A. W., and Riley, J. P. 1963. DeterminaJtion of nitrate in sea water. 
Anal. Chan Acta. 29: 272-279. 
Murphy, J & Riley, J. P 1962. A modified single solution 
determina·tion of phosphate in natura[ wa.te,rs.. A nc~f, 
Jl-36. 
method for the 
Chim Acta. 27 
Nair, V. R., Gajbhiye, S. N. & Desai. B. N. 1981. Distribution of Chaetognaths 
in the poHuted and unpolluted waters al'ound Bombay. Indian I. "A-lar. 
Sci. 10: 66-69. 
Nair, V. R., Gajbhiye, S. N., Krishnakumari, L & Desai, B. N. 1983'. Biomass 
and composition of zooplankton in the nearshore waters of Thal, 
M1ahamshtra. Indian J. Mar. Sci. 12: 160-165. 
Nair) V. R., Gajbhiye, S. N. & Sayed F. H. 1983. Variation in organic carbon' 
coDJtent of zooplankton in the nearshore waters of Bombay, Maharashtra. 
Indian !. Mar. Sci. 12: 183-185. 
NIO, 1978. Waste water disposal and submarine out fall studies around Bombay 
with MIS METCALFand Eddy/Environmental Engineering Consultants. 
Joint venture for BMC, NIO, Regional Cerutre, Bombay. 
WATER QUALITY OF BOMBAY COAST 57 
Reddy, C. V. G. & Sankarayanan, V. N. 1968. Distribution of nutrients in 
the shelf waters of Arabian Sea along the west co,ast of India. Bull. 
Natn. Inst. Sci. India. 38: 206-220. 
Sankavanarayanan, V. N. & Qasim, S. Z. 1969. Nutrients of the Cochin back-
waters 1n re1ation to rhe environmental characteristics. Mar. Bioi. 2: 
236-247. 
Strictland, J. D. H. & Parsons, T. R. 1972. A practical hand book of sea water 
analysis. Fish. Res. Board, Canada BuH. No. 167: 21-26. 
Zingde, M. D. & Desai, B. N. 1890. Waste water discharge and its effects on 
the quality of water of Mahim Creek and Bay. Mahasagar - Bull. 
Natn. Inst. Oceanogr. 13 (3'): 205-213. 
Zingde, M. D., Trivedi, S. R. & Desai, B. N. 1979. Physico-chemical studies 
on coastla'l poUution of Bombay. Indian J. Mar. Sci. 8:. 271-227. 


On the water quality of selected environments along Bombay coast

http://aquaticcommons.org/15889/1/JIFA14-15_049.pdf

On the water quality of selected environments along Bombay coast

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Aquatic Commons