Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Physico-chemical characteristics in the coastal environment of Visakhapatnam - A case study.

Volume 34 Issue 1&2

D. Satyanarayana, S. D. Sahu and P. K. Panigrahy

Abstract

Physico-chemical parameters such as salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, silicate, chlorophylls and particulate organic carbon are monitored in harbour (4 stations) area and in coastal (9 stations) region over a period of one year. Temporal, vertical and horizontal variations of these parameters showed interesting results. The annual averages of nutrients, chlorophyll and particulate organic carbon of harbour area are found to be relatively higher when compared with those of coastal stations both at surface and bottom indicating a flow of organically rich pollutants from the harbour into the coastal region. This is also supported by a decreasing trend observed from harbour to the coastal region in the same transect. It can therefore be concluded from these studies that the harbour waters are polluted with nutrients and organic matter due to the discharge of industrial effluents and domestic sewage. These findings are in agreement with the earlier reports of mass mortality offish, occurrence of phytoplankton blooms and eutrophication conditions in the harbour.

Date : 31-10-1992