Waste water Discharge and its effect on the Quality of Water of Mahim Creek and Bay

Abstract

Coastal environment around Mahim was monitored to evaluate the effects of domestic and industrial waste water discharge in Mahim Creek, Maharashtra, India. Vertical salinity and DO gradient occasionally observed in the Mahim Bay during postmonsoon period arises from the partial mixing of the contaminated creek water and bay water during the ebb tide. DO, BOD, PO4 3--P and NO3 --N vary considerably over each tidal cycle with DO levels often falling below 2 mg/l in the bay water and below 1 mg/l in the creek water during the ebb tide. Consequently, the BOD is very high and exceeds 100 mg/l in the creek. Levels of PO4 3--P and NO3 --N are also abnormally high