Estimation of Physicochemical Properties in the Estuarine Water of Mithbav Tidal Mud Flats (Downstream Part), Coastal Maharashtra

Abstract

Estuarine environments have become crucial in coastal areas nowadays. Mangrove swamps, mudflats and related estuarine environments provide a habitat for animals and encourage plant growth. For the people of coastal areas, estuaries are one of the vital sources of food and other economic activity. The imbalance in the quality and quantity of Estuarine water in terms of its physicochemical parameters causes adverse effects on marine life. In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the physicochemical properties of the estuarine water of Mithbav tidal mud flats (downstream part) of coastal Maharashtra. Several methods have been used to evaluate the variations in physical and chemical properties of estuarine water in Mithbav including standard water testing,1 the titration method and Winkler's method. Salinity, turbidity, pH, total hardness, DO, TDS, EC, nitrate, fluoride, phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, carbonate, chloride, sodium, potassium and sulphate were examined for the seven cross-sectional sites of Mithbav estuarine water. Some parameters show levels of contamination that exceed the maximum limit. For instance, during the post-monsoon season, the average value of dissolved oxygen (DO) was recorded as 11.57mg/L whereas it has been recorded as 8.07mg/L during the summer season. The total dissolved solids (TDS) showed an average increase from 141.54 to 348.57ppt between pre and post-monsoon seasons. The electrical conductivity (EC) also increased from 45558.17μ S/Cm to 31445.85 μ S/Cm respectively from the dry to the wet season. The fluoride levels during the post-monsoon season ranged from 1.07 mg/L at CS-1 to 4.2 mg/L at CS-6. The study shows that the Mithbav coastal ecosystem and nearby areas are at significant risk of contamination from physiochemical parameters that could harm the environment.