Pollution Scenario due to discharge of effluent from Agrochemicals and Pesticides Manufacturing Industries of Dombivali Industrial Belt of Mumbai, India

The paper deals with monitoring of pollution arising due to agrochemicals and pesticides manufacturing industries located along the Dombivali industrial belt of Mumbai, India. The study was carried for the period of one year from June, 2012 to May, 2013 to study the level of toxic heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties of waste water effluents discharged from the above industries. The average concentration of Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb and Zn was found to be maximum of 29.86, 0.90, 1.16 and 1.19 ppm respectively in summer season, while average Fe concentration was maximum of 51.10 ppm in winter season. The average pH value of the effluent was found to be maximum of 12.95 in summer season, while average conductivity value was maximum of 21085 μmhos/cm in rainy season. The majority of physco-chemical parameters like alkalinity, hardness, salinity, chloride, cyanide, phosphate, total solid, BOD and COD content were found to be maximum in summer season having the average values of 1918, 186, 4, 11.20, 0.07, 81, 6391, 685 and 2556 ppm respectively. The average DO content was found to be low of 4.5 ppm in winter season. It was observed that the concentration level of majority of the toxic heavy metals and physico-chemical properties were above the tolerable limit set for inland surface water. The results of present study indicates that the existing situation if mishandled can cause irreparable ecological harm in the long term well masked by short term economic prosperity due to extensive industrial growth.