Surveys were carried out between March 1969 and August 1970 to study the fauna and flora in the littoral zone of the sea shore near the Tarapur I Atomic Power Station.

The beach adjacent to the station is rocky with a number of tidal pools inhabited by a variety of organisms whereas the beach to the south is mostly sandy and barren except for a small rocky stretch. The tidal range is 6 m and over a mile of beach is exposed during low tide. The near shore currents are very strong and have a clear north-south oscillation with the changing tides.

Less Atherina sp. fry were available near the Power Station in March 1970 than during the previous year. Possible reasons for these differences pre discussed, including the effect of heated discharges on biota. The need is also emphasiied to monitor the biota (Plankton, Nekton and Benthos) systematically for content of fission products released by the Power Station.