Water quality characteristics at Velsao and Colva beaches of Goa

Abstract

Chemical and biological factors were studied at two beaches, viz. Velsao and Colva, of Goa, India. High fluctuations of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds were found at Velsao while they were of normal range at Colva. High nitrogen and phosphorus values were due to the effluents discharged from a fertilizer factory at Velsao. Phytoplankton cell counts also showed higher values at Velsao than at Colva. Results indicate continuous eutrophication problem associated with the discharge of ammonium salts and a long term effect of this eutrophication may prove adverse on fishery resources of that region.