Status of the seawater quality at few industrially important coasts of Gujarat (India) off Arabian Sea

Abstract

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.