Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ABUNDANCE OF HETEROTROPHIC BACTERIAL POPULATION IN COASTAL WATERS OF PALGHAR TALUKA, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Shailaja P. Palan and Shilpa M. Gharat

Abstract

The population density of total heterotrophic bacteria in coastal water at 4 different sites along Palghar taluka namely; Kelwa coast, Navapur coast, Dandi creek and Satpati coast were studied. Total heterotrophic bacterial count was found to range from 0.34×102 - 423.1× 102 CFUml-1 in coastal waters. Average heterotrophic bacterial abundance was noted higher during monsoon at all 4 sites in the study with 47.2×102 ± 34.79 CFU ml-1 at Satpati coast, 281.55× 102 ± 148.45 CFU ml-1 at Dandi creek, 265.26× 102 ± 149.74 CFU ml-1 at Navapur coast, and 1.12 × 102 ± 0.54 CFU ml-1 at Kelwa coast. Dandi creek recorded highest bacterial count throughout study period irrespective of season.