Seasonal Variations in Physico-Chemical Characterstics of Tapi Estuary in Hazira Industrial Area

Abstract

Present study was carried out to determine the important physico chemical parameters of water of Tapi estuary in Hazira industrial area. Tapi estuary receives the inputs of organic matter and nutrients coming from the domestic wastewater discharges from Surat City, a textile hub as well as industrial effluents from Hazira, a major industrial Complex of Gujarat, India. Uncontrolled discharges of domestic wastes and industrial effluents have affected the estuary. Present study was carried out from June - 2011 to May 2012 to study the impacts of uncontrolled discharges on physicochemical characteristics of water. Samples were collected monthly in the morning during low tide to determine the important physico chemical parameters Viz. Turbidity, conductivity, total solid, total dissolved solid, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, Calcium, chloride, sodium , potassium and nutrients like nitrate, nitrite and phosphate. Dissolved oxygen was found extremely low during the study period. High biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen demand (COD) showed that the water quality of estuary has been affected by industrial and domestic effluents.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v10i1.7811