Assessing the Physico-Chemical Parameters of Sediment Ecosystem of Vasai Creek at Mumbai, India

The present study is concerned with the pollution load monitoring along Vasai Creek of Mumbai with reference to the physico-chemical parameters of sediments. The study was carried for a span of two years from 2009-11 at four sampling stations namely Vasai bundar, Bhayandar west side below Railway Bridge, Bhayandar east side near Retibundar and Ghodbundar site along the flow of Vasai Creek. It was observed that most of the physico-chemical parameters like electrical conductivity, chloride, sulfate, sulfide and phosphate content in the sediment samples were higher during the assessment year 2010-11 as compared to that during the year 2009-10. However the pH values recorded during the year 2009-10 were higher than that recorded during the year 2010-11. The results of present investigation suggest that the present increasing pollution load along the Vasai Creek may affect sediment dwelling organisms and fish resulting in decrease survival, reduced growth, or impaired reproduction and lowered species diversity.