The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the physico-chemical properties of sediments samples collected along the Mahim Creek of Mumbai. The annual average pH value of the creek sediments was recorded as 9.22. It is feared that such conditions may increase the alkalinity of Creek water which according to USEPA will increase the physiological stress of many aquatic species resulting in decreased reproduction, decreased growth, disease, or death thereby reducing the biological diversity of the Creek. The total organic matter in the creek sediments was found to be maximum of 10.30 % with an annual average concentration of 6.29 %. Although organic matter is a primary source of food for benthic organisms and is important in maintaining a viable ecosystem, too much of organic matter deposited in the sediments will be responsible for depletion in dissolved oxygen content of the creek water causing unpleasant odours and may also increase the rate of eutrophication. From the results it appears that as India moves towards stricter regulation of industrial effluents to control water pollution, greater efforts are required to control the discharge of pollutants into the ecosystems.
The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the water of Mahim Creek near Mumbai. It was observed that the annual average concentration of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni and Hg was found to be 0.68, 0.28, 0.15, 0.04, 2.93, 0.64, 1.29 and 0.31 ppm respectively. The average concentrations of Hg and Pb were found to be above the maximum permissible limit of 0.01 ppm and 0.1 ppm respectively set for inland surface water by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. The results suggest that there is a need to have such regular scientific monitoring for longer time period in order to understand the variation in level of these toxic heavy metals discharged in to the creek water. It is feared that the existing problem if ignored may increase the pollution problem of the creek due to the toxic heavy metals resulting in threat to the biological life of an aquatic ecosystem. From the results of the present investigation it seems that the time has come to move towards ecosystem specific discharge standards to maintain the health and productivity of natural resources on which the majority of human population is dependent.
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The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the sediments of Mahim Creek near Mumbai. The annual average concentration of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni and Hg was found to be 9.88, 2.33, 1.41, 33.31, 22.07, 32.21 and 32.06 ppm respectively. It is feared that this heavy metals accumulated in the creek sediments might affect the benthic macro invertebrates whose metabolic activities contribute to aquatic productivity. The results of present study indicates that the existing situation if mishandled can cause toxic effect on sediment dwelling organisms and fish, resulting in decrease survival, reduced growth, or impaired reproduction and lowered species diversity.
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