Heavy metals in the sediments from mumbai coast

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Date
2010
Authors
Aanand, S.
Purushothaman, C.S.
Rajendran, K.V.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)
Abstract
Heavy metals, once thought to be insignificant as pollutants, has become one of the worst pollutants, following the outbreak of Minamata disease in Japan, as a result of Hg poisoning. Since then, various studies have been conducted on the effects of various heavy metals on the ecosystem. These research works led to the categorization of heavy metals as "black listed" and "grey listed" elements, and strict standards were laid down for the discharge of the same in the ecosystem (Phillips and Rainbow, 1997). Marine sediments can be a sensitive indicator for monitoring contaminants in the marine environment (Larsen and Jensen, 1989). Mumbai is a large metropolis on the west coast of India and forms the hub of important industrial activities. All the effluents generated in the city reaches the coastal waters. Studies on different aspects of heavy metal pollution on Mumbai coast have been conducted by several workers (Matkar etal.. 1981; Patel et al., 1985; Gajbhiye, et al. 1985; Patel and Chandy, 1988; Qasim, et al. 1988; Kumari et al., 1992; Nair and Kumari, 1993). However, information on current status of pollution would be useful in the coastal regions like Mumbai, which are under tremendous population and industrial pressure. The present study was carried out to understand the spatial and temporal variations of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn in the sediments of Mumbai coast.
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Keywords
polyethylene bags, iron, copper, manganese, zinc
Citation
Proceedings of the National Seminar on Conservation and Sustainability of Coastal Living Resources of India, 1-3 December 2009, Cochin, ed.by Meenakumari, B. et.al 220-226