Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

WATER POLLUTION ASSOCIATION WITH MANGROVE CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN MITHI RIVER

Pravin Shinde, Snehal Donde and Anirudh Ram

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystem is strongly bound to the coastal environment which survives and flourishes in good quality of water and within its tolerance level. This ecosystem is very sensitive to water pollution and it has direct relationship with mangrove functioning. Minor changes in water quality can cause noticeable mortality and severe damage of mangroves ecosystem. However its mortality is the best indicator of global warming, climate change and severity of water pollution. The pilot study was conducted in Mithi river mangrove site which is constantly facing small industrial effluent, domestic sewage and solid waste which is major cause of pollution. As a result study site water quality is intensely polluted and it is seriously affecting mangrove growth and its sequestration capacity. Avicennia marina is one of the most dominant mangrove species in study site therefore it was selected for the assessment. Consequently CHNS instrument was used for estimation of total carbon. Pearson correlation matrix were use to understand water pollution impact and severity on mangrove sequestration. This study reveals that Mithi river is highly polluted and this pollution definitely affects mangrove growth, quality and functioning.