Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences Vol. 41(1), February 2012, pp. 90-97 Status of the seawater quality at few industrially important coasts of Gujarat (India) off Arabian Sea Poonam Bhadja & Rahul Kundu* Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360 005, Gujarat, India. *[E-Mail:
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[email protected] ] Received 21 November 2010; revised 24 January 2011 Present study reports the spatial and temporal variations of the seawater quality from five major shores along the South Saurashtra coastline (India). The results suggested normal range of physical, chemical and biological characteristics in the samples of Dwarka and Mangrol as these coasts are not affected by any apparent anthropogenic effects of any kind. The results also suggested considerable anthropogenic load to the coastal waters of three other shores studied where moderate to high degree of industrial activities existed. Results of the present study revealed that the spatio-temporal variations of water quality parameters were considerably affected by anthropogenic impacts at Veraval, moderately at Kodinar and somewhat lesser degree at Diu. [Keywords: Anthropogenic impact; India; Saurashtra coast; Seawater quality; Spatial and temporal variation] Introduction the aquatic system are mainly controlled by the Seawater resources are considered to be one of the fluctuations in the physical and chemical major components of environmental resources that are characteristics of the water body13. The Arabian Sea is under threat either from over exploitation or pollution, considered as one of the most productive zones in the caused by human activities1. Coastal area is the most world oceans14-15. Coastal regions between Okha and dynamic and productive ecosystems and are also foci Bhavnagar is now a hot-spot for mega industries like of human settlements, industry and tourism2.