The coastal areas of Bombay are generally turbid and the euphotic zone in these waters hardly exceeds 6 m. Primary productivity is largely confined to surface layers. Nearshore polluted stations have low values of dissolved oxygen, salinity and pH. Nutrients, on the other hand, are high. Primary productivity in these areas was 16.86 mg C m super(-3) d super(-1) in October. Column production for all the 4 stations ranged from 10.32 to 2511.30 mg C m super(-2) d super(-1). A direct correlation was found between nutrients and productivity values

Abidi, S.A.H.

Varshney, P.K.

Aquatic Commons

Journal ot the Indian Fisheries Association 
18, 1988, 489-498 
PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN POLLUTED ENVIRONMENTS 
OF BOMBAY 
P.K. VARSHNEY AND S.A.H. ABIDI* 
Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Chinhat-227 105, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. 
ABSTRACT 
The coastal areas of Bombay are generally turbid 
and the euphotic zone in these waters hardly exceeds 6 
m. Primary productivity is largely confined to surface layers. 
Nearshore polluted stations have low values of dissolved 
oxygen, salinity and pH. Nutrients, on the other hand, are 
high. Carbon assimilation in these polluted environments 
-3 -1 
was high and the values ranged from 19.92 mg C m d in 
-3 -1 
July (st-1) to 2868.60 mg C m d in April (st-4). Con-
comitant to this, the environmental conditions towards the 
offshore in the cleaner zone, were characterised by high 
dissolved oxygen, salinity and comparatively low nutrients, 
indicating low productivity. Primary productivity in these 
-3 -1 
areas was 16.86 mg C m d in October (station-3). 
Column production for 
1 o. 3 2 to 2511.30 
all the four stations ranged from 
-2 -1 
m g C m d • A direct co-
relation was found between nutrients and productivity values. 
INTRODUCTION 
!~eports on the primary productivity of coastal waters of 
Bombay are limited (Krishnamoorthy and Vishwana than, 1968; 
Bha tta thiri and Devassy, 1977; Abidi, 1981 and Varshney et 
al., 1983). The present study is the first detailed account on 
the primary production in the coastal waters of Bombay in relation 
to the prevailing environmental conditions. 
* Present Address: Department cif Ocean Development, Mahasagar Bhavn, Lodi 
Road, New Delhi. 
490. VARSHNEY AND ABIDI 
M,~ TERIALS AND METHODS 
Four stations were selected at three different locations. 
Two stations ( 1 & 2) were in the Versova region while 
one each was at Mahim ( 3) and Thana ( 4). The stations 
1 and 4 . were close to the coast and were highly polluted, 
while the stations 2 and 3 were relatively in the clean 
zone. The locations of the four stations are shown in Fig. 1. 
The stations 1 was inside the creek while station 
',, 811'1'1 
( 
lim() IS' 1. G fm 
' 
.I 
' \ c " \ I '-, \ 
\ I () 
\ 
' ~ 
' ' 
I 
I \ \ 
( I \ 
\ .... ,, 
\ I 
I I 
,10 fm 1 
' 
\ I \ \ 
' 'l \ \ 
' • \ 
' '~- ~ 2 l\ \ 
' 
..... , ', 
N' ,, ' \ I 
t'\ \ ', I 1 \ - ......... _/ I I \ I { ' I ( I I -, I I • MAHt1BAY I I \ ') I 
' 
I ~ l 
Fig. 1 : Map showing the location of Stations. 
2 in Versova was at a distance of about 1 km from the station 
1 towards offshore. The station 4 was about 2 km from the 
Apsara reactor in the Thana creek. The depth at these stations 
varies from 6 to 12 m. Primary production was estimated b·y l 
C 1~ethod adopting the insitu incubation(Vollenweider, 1974 and 
Strickland & Parsons, 1968). Monthly observations were made 
at all the sta lions from January 1980 to December, 1980. Because 
of navigational difficulties, samples could not be collected in 
June and July at the station 1 and in June at the other stations 
Samples were taken from three depths where the . light 
penetration was 100%, 30%, and 1% and were incubated according-
ly for 4 hours. Radioactivity was determined in a G.M. counter 
and the efficiency of the counter was determined by a c::omparison 
with the liquid scin.tillation syst~m. The counts were corrected 
for dark uptake and respiration and daily production rates were 
estimated. By integrating the values for the different depths, 
PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT 491 
production rate for. the water column was obtained. Salinity, 
oxygen, nitrate and phosphate were estim.ated following the 
standard method (Strickland and Parsons, 1968). 
RESULTS 
Physicochemical para meters and rate of production are 
presented in F ig.2 and Tables 1 & 2 respectively. The variations 
40 
30 
-I 
r 4 
8 
2 
~-11! 
I 
I 
1-
I I 
II 
II 
II 
~ 
ll 
•' 
' II 
I I 
I 
I 
&!>.16 
--- Shtion - l 
)1--1( Station- 2 
.---4 Station- 3 
•-- -IC Station- I. 
,. 
I 
JFMAMJJASOND 
30 
11 
I I 
I I 
I I 
I t 
I I 
I II 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
# 
I 
/ 
I 
/ 
\ )( 
~-~" 
JFMAMJJASOND 
Fig. 2 Variations in Physico chemical parameters. 
TABLE 1 : PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY Off BOMBAY A 10 
!-..) 
STATION 1 STATION 2 STATION 3 STATION 4 
(Polluted) (Polluted) 
(mg C m -3 -1 d } -3 -1 {mg C m d ) -3 -1 (mg C m d ) -3 -1 (mg c m d ) 
UGH T PENETRATION LIGHT PENETRATION LIGHT-PENETRATION LIGHT PENETRATION 
1 1 OO~a .30~~ 1 or rO 100~.; Jo~.; 1 or ro wo~a JO~a 1% 100% 30% 1 or 10 
Jan.BO 233.88 115.80 28.14 16.86 1.14 0.08 764.76 447.36 18.48 75.96 24.00 17.10 
64.62 45.06 10.62 433.80 < Feb. 535.38 37.19 44.34 18.90 2.16 1.92 510.42 356.52 > ::10 (/) 
Mar. 1682.94 443.82 145.08 48.60 12.48 0.92 148.86 72.36 55.70 567.12 375.30 130.74 :X: z m 
-< 
Apr. 2868.60 961.80 115.08 102.48 55.14 11.46 80.52 58.86 22.74 132.18 75.84 85.68 > 0 
May. 147.60 123.64 84.00 139.98 130.14 50.28 738.66 471.30 56.22 373.74 730.20 491.82 ii1 
..... 
Jun. - - - - - - - - - 243.72 127.26 85.60 0 ..... 
Jul. - .,.. - 21.24 6.00 2.88 61.32 70.82 35.82 19.92 3.96 24.60 
Aug. 151.50 196.02 66.48 92.04 31.06 34.50 29.34 9.36 3.78 38.88 27.54 22.20 
Sep. 138.96 88.20 26.88 43.86 30.48 20.94 72.30 58.08 17.76 209.82 116.94 86.26 
Oct. 127.38 95.58 73.14 128.94 93.24 82.44 880.92 208.18 260.34 657.72 986.40 70.84 
~ov. 368.70 186.36 48.36 44.28 19.38 14.10 270.32 172.32 53.20 126.90 49.86 48.30 
Dec. 41.88 39.36 26~94 124.68 4.22 1.86 128.22 48.42 37.92 96.42 65.22 58.56 
TABLE 2: COLUMN PRODUCTION (mg C m-2 d-1) DURING 1980 
Month/Station 2 3 4 
Jan. 80 210.81 10.32 643.14 91.08 "'U ::'0 
H 
3: )> 
Feb. 461.14 18.26 186.45 631.22 ::'0 -< 
"'U 
::'0 
Mar. 826.14 21.96 119.09 732.94 8 
c: () 
~ 
199.15 H Apr. 2264.74 145.41 151.29 < 
H 
~ 
-< 
May. 164.49 236.61 716.25 1330.40 ...... 
:z 
Jun. 298.78 ~ - - - r-r 
c: 
~ 
July 12.67 86.25 16.20 m - 0 
m 
:z 
Aug. 159.63 354.28 64.98 32.47 < ...... 
::'0 
0 
:z 
Sep. 228.65 110.79 176.39 366.60 ~ 
:z 
~ 
Oct. 140.10 215.08 849.80 2511.30 
Nov. 260.63 65.31 446.10 93.27 
Dec. 53.46 85.53 214.55 162.30 
.jlt. 
\() 
""' 
V~RSHNEY ~NO ABIDI 
in the physico-chemical parameters were not large and hence 
the values given in the figures are for the surface. Coastal 
waters of Bombay are very turbid because of high suspended 
load resulting from the discharge of sewage and industrial waste. 
Varshney ( 1985) and Prasad ( 1983) have stated that high current 
speed at the bottom contributes to the stirring up of the sedi-
ments. Maximum euphotic depth of 6 m was observed in August 
at the stations 2 and 3. During the monsoon, salinity was very 
3 
low and range from 5. 26 to 28.41-10 while during the pre and 
3 
post monsoons; it range from 31.98 to 36.06-10 and 28.33 to 
_,.o" 
35.43 respectively. The range of dissolved oxygen was 
from 1.34 mg 1-1 (St - 4) to 7.86 mg 1-1 (St - 2). Relatively 
low values of oxygen were obtained from station 1. Relatively 
high values of nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) and low values 
of oxygen were recorded from polluted stations 1 and 4. There 
was no consistency in the values of different parameters with 
seasons. 
Station 1 : Production rates of all the stations are g1ven 
in Tables 1 & 2. The range in surface production was 41.88 
in December to 2,668.60 mg c m -3 d- 1 in April, at this station. 
In the month of March_ fls~1 the rate of production was high, i.e. 1,682.94 - mg C m d • A gradual reduction in the rate 
of carbon assimilation was noticed at 30% and 1% light depths, 
except in the month of February, 1980, when it was high at 
1% light depth. 
Maximum productwn was observed In March and April. 
High values of nutrients coincided well with high production. 
Overall hiqh production was observed durinq the premonsoon 
(Fig.3). 
1000 
4 
[)] ~~ ffiiil P0$1-~ ~MONSOON 0 ME.oi>.N 
Fig.·J Seasonal variations in Primary Production. 
PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT 495 
Station 2 : Rate of carbon assimilation was very low at 
this station. It fluctuated from 16.86 in January to ·139.98 mg 
C m -3 d-1 in May for surface. At this station also sometime 
high values were observed at 1% light depth. A second peak 
-3 -1 
of production of 128.98 mg C m d was noticed in October. 
No consistent relationship between nutrients and production 
could be observed. At 30% and 1% light production the rate 
of carbon assimilation follows the trend in surface production. 
Compared to station 1 the rate of producti.on was poor. Mean 
production was high during the monsoon. 
Station 3 : The _fan9f in 1 primary productivity was 61.32 
to 880.92 mg C m d at surface in the months of July and 
October respectively. High values of 764.76 and 738. 86mg 
C-3 d-1 1 were a so observed in the months of January 
and May respectively. Subsequently the rate of production 
was high at 30% and 1% light depth.. Production was high 
during the post monsoon period. 
Station 4 : At this station carbon assimilation varies from 
-3 -1 -3 -1 19.22 mg C m d in July to 657.72 mg C m d in October 
for surface. Two peaks were noticed in the months of February 
( -3 - 1) ( . -3 -1 510.42 mg C m and March 567.12 mg C m d }. Abnormally 
-3 -1 high values of 730 and 986.40 mg C m d at 30% light penetra-
-3 -1 tion and 491.82 and 702.84 mg C m d at 1% light depth were 
recorded in the months of May and October respectively irrespect-
ive of surface production. Overall high production was observed 
during pre monsoon and madera te values were noticed during 
post monsoon. 
DISCUSSION 
Study of environmental parameter indicated that the nearshore 
stations 1 and 4 were polluted compared to offshore stations 
2 and 3. Low values of dissolved oxygen and higher values of 
nutrients at Stations 1 & 4 indicate the deterioration of environ-
ment. Concomitant to this environmental conditions were com-
paratively better towards offshore stations 2 & 3, with optimum 
DO and low values of nutrients. reoresents a healthy clean zone. 
Zingde, 1980 and Varshney, 1982 have also reported high 
values of nutrients, low dissolved oxygen and 100 mg ,-1. 
of BOD off Bombay. 
VARSHNEY AND ABIDI 
Light penetrations as measured by Seechi disc was limited 
to a very narrow zone in this area and comparable to the 
nearshore waters of Thai, Maharashtra (Varshney, Nair and Abidi, 
1983). It appears 1 influx of sewage water, tidal effects and high 
bottom currents make the water turbid in the coastal regions 
resulting in reduction of the compensation depth. 
Polluted stations 1 & 4 sustained high production (Table 
3). Rate of production was moderate at stations 2 and 3. Maxi mum 
TABLE 3 : RELATIONSHIP OF CARBON ASSIMILATION 
AND NUTRIENTS 
Primary P04 - P N03 -N Production Station 
1 
2 
3 
4 
-2 -1-
mg C m d 
474.08 
106.92 
332.20 
533.82 
119 -at 1 -1 llQ -at 1 
3.65 10.89 
1.15 5.66 
1.59 9·.49 
4.00 23.14 
-2 -1 
meari column productions were 533.82 mg C m d at Stn. 4 
followed by 1 (474.08),3 (332.20),and 2 (106.92) • Phyto-
plankton species of euryhaline nature were also found in the 
nearshore water of Bombay (Abidi, 1981). Due to the external 
interferences and discharges in the coastal waters of Bombay 
no clearcut seasonal difference could be observed. But high 
production observed in the month of October at Sta tion.s/3 and 
4 and in April and May at Station 1 and 2 respectively. 
Maximum uptake was recorded at surface except in some 
instances where it was at 30%. Invariably high values at 30% 
and 1% depths at station 2 perhaps seems to be due to high 
currents, the experimental bottles and come to surface and 
exposed to more light. Similar instances of higher production 
at a few meters below surface were reported for Thai region 
in Maharashtra coast (Varshney, Nair and Abidi, 1983) and Palk 
Bay (Prasad & Nair, 1963). 
Previous studies on the measurement of primary production 
for unpolluted nearshore waters of Thai, Maharashtra coast 
-2 -1 
showed a variation of 0.69 to 605.21 mg C m d with an average 
-1 
PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT 497 
value of 78.2 mg c m- 2d- 1 (Varshney, Nair and Abidi, 
1983). Maximum production was reported in August. In 
the present investigation the column production (Table 
II) was comparatively high with respective mean values 
-2 -1 
of 474.08, 106.92, 332.20 and 533.82 mg C m d at sta-
tions 1,2,3, and 4. Krishnamoorthy and Viswanathan 1(1968) 
reported variation of 0. 015 to 4. 99 g Cm - 3 d- 1 with maximum 
production in February for the harbour area of Bombay •. 
Results of present study were comparable to this study. 
It has been observed that the rate of production was 
high in polluted zones ( Stns. 1 & 4). Ketchum, ( 1973) 
also reported that the productivity may be high in polluted 
environments with less species diversity. Perhaps higher 
concentrations of nutrients in these localities (Table 3) 
due to sewage discharge must have contributed to enhanced 
productivity. Qasim & Joseph (1975) while conducting 
experiments on utilization of Nitrates· and Phosphate by 
Green Algae Tetraselmis gracilis also observed the high 
rate of growth with the medium of high nutrients. t.ow 
values of productivity synchronised with low values of 
nutrients as observed for Thal region ( Varshey et. at. 9 
1983) 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
We are grateful to Or. S.Z. Qasim, Secretary,. Department 
of Ocean Development, New Delhi and Dr. B.N. Desai, Director 9 
National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, for Guidance and pro~ 
vi ding facilities during the course of the study. 
REFERENCES 
Abidi, S.A.H., 1981 .. Studies on the organic production 
of the inshore waters of the Arabian Sea. Ph.D. Thesis, 
Aligarh 
Bhattathri, P.M.A. & V.P. Devassy, 1977. 
in Phytoplankton pigments and primary 
Bombay. Indian J. Mar. Sc. 6(1) 96--99. 
Diel variation 
production of 
I.B.P. Handbook 1974. A manual on methods tor measuring 
primary production in aquatic environments, No.12, Edited 
by R. A. Vollenweider (Blackwell Scientific publication9 
(London) 225 pp. 
Ketchan, B H. 1973. Ecological effects of Marine Pollution. 
Special Pub. Mar. Biol. Assoc. India. ~ 7-28. 
VARSHNEY AND ABIDI 
Prasad 9 . A .l. , t 983, Near shore process ·along the Born bay 
coast in relation to erosion at Versova. Ph.D. The sis, 
Andhra University. 
Prasad, R.R. and P.V.R. Nari, 1963. Studies on organic 
production I Gulf of Mannar. J.Mar.Biol.Ass.India, 5-1. 
Krishnamoorthy, T.M. & R. Vishwanathan, 1988. 
Productivity studies in Bombay Harbour bay 14 
J. EX. Biol. 115-16. 
Primary 
Indian, 
Qasim, S.Z. & K.J. Joseph, 1985. Utilization of nitrate 
and Phosphate by the green algae· Tetraselmis gracilis 
kylin India Journal Mar. Sci. 161-164. 
Strickland, J.D.H. & T.R.· Parsons, 1968. A practical hand 
book of sea Water analysis. Bull. Fish Res. Bd. Canada, 
167-368pp. 
Varshney, P. K., 1982, Biological Productivity of polluted 
and unpolluted environments of Bombay with special 
reference to benthos. Ph.D.ThesisB.ombay University. 
Varshney, P. K. Nair, R. Vijayalkshmi and S. A. H. Abidi, 
1983. Primary productivity in the Nearshore waters 
of Thal, Maharashtra coast. India J.Mar.Sci. 12(1):27-30 
Zingde, M . .D. and B.N. Desai, 1980. Waste water discharge 
and its effect on ·the quality of Water of Mahim creek 
and Bay. Mahasagar, Bull.Nat.Inst.ooean.g~:r--13(3):205-213. 


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