Study of Toxic Heavy Metals in Mahim Creek of Mumbai

Abstract

The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the water of Mahim Creek near Mumbai. It was observed that the annual average concentration of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni and Hg was found to be 0.68, 0.28, 0.15, 0.04, 2.93, 0.64, 1.29 and 0.31 ppm respectively. The average concentrations of Hg and Pb were found to be above the maximum permissible limit of 0.01 ppm and 0.1 ppm respectively set for inland surface water by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. The results suggest that there is a need to have such regular scientific monitoring for longer time period in order to understand the variation in level of these toxic heavy metals discharged in to the creek water. It is feared that the existing problem if ignored may increase the pollution problem of the creek due to the toxic heavy metals resulting in threat to the biological life of an aquatic ecosystem. From the results of the present investigation it seems that the time has come to move towards ecosystem specific discharge standards to maintain the health and productivity of natural resources on which the majority of human population is dependent.