Effect of mining rejects on the nutrient chemistry of Mandovi Estuary, Goa
Abstract
Nutrient chemistry in Mandovi Estuary, Goa, India during premonsoon in affected by the discharge of mining rejects. Concentrations of nitrate and phosphate, in general, show low levels in this season (nitate 0.3-3.3 mu M, phosphate 0.11-0.56 mu M) while silicate show wide range in concentration (1.25-130 mu M). Elevated concentrations of nitrate (6.1-9.1 mu M) associated with reduced levels of phosphate (less than 0.1 mu M) and silicate (50-60 mu M) in the mid-estuary, near the discharge point of mining rejects, suggest that the suspended sediments derived from the mining rejects adsorb phosphate and silicate, and remove them from the water column while the mining rejects act as a source of nitrate to the estuary. Large quantities (10 tonnes/month) of ammonium nitrate used in explosives for blasting the hard rock at the mining site seem to be the source of the source of nitrate in mining rejects.
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