Assessment of physico-chemical properties of sediments collected along the Mahul Creek near Mumbai, India

The present study was performed for the period of one year from January 2013 to December 2013 in order to understand the physico-chemical properties of sediments samples collected along the Mahul Creek of Mumbai. The annual average pH value of the creek sediments was recorded as 5.38. It is feared that such low pH value of sediment might increase the acidity of creek water thereby triggering the heavy metal toxicity which will further reduced survivorship in fish through chronic stress and affect the reproductive partner. The annual average salinity content of the sediment was recorded as 4601.17 ppm. It is important here to note that the high salinity of the sediment may increase the salinity level of creek water which is considered as a major stress factor for most freshwater organisms including crustaceans. The average annual concentration of phosphate in the creek sediment was found to 480.39 ppm. Such high concentration of phosphate in the creek sediments might accelerate the process of eutrophication. From the results it appears that as India moves towards stricter regulation of industrial effluents to control water pollution, greater efforts are required to reduce the risk due to the toxic pollutants which are released into the ecosystems.