915-923Physicochemical properties of surface water
from Alibaug mangrove forest and Akshi coastal area were examined using multivariate
statistical techniques viz. cluster analysis and factor analysis during October
to December 2010. Water quality
assessment was done by estimating pH, temperature, EC, TDS, DO, COD, salinity,
hardness, SAR, TPH, TOG, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+,Cl-,
NO3- and PO43-. Water in general showed high
values of Hardness, salinity, TDS, EC, COD, TOG, calcium, magnesium, chloride,
nitrate and phosphate. Dominant cation and anion were Na+ and Cl-
respectively. Cluster analysis grouped sampling sites into three clusters of
similar hydrochemical features and classified mangrove forest to low, moderate and
high pollution zones. Factor analysis revealed that the most significant
parameters contributing to water quality variation are: EC, Na+, PO43-,
SAR, Ca2+, temperature, salinity and Cl-. According to
factor analysis different natural and anthropogenic sources affect the water
quality of study area viz. weathering and seasonal variation, agriculture
runoff, domestic and industrial sewage disposal and oil from spill