Conference PaperPDF Available

Qualitative Study of Fin Fish and Shell Fish Fauna of Thane Creek and Ulhas River Estuary

Authors:
  • VPM's B. N. Bandodkar College of Science Thane

Abstract

An attempt has been made to obtain the comparative fin fish and shell fish fauna qualitatively from Thane creek and Ulhas river estuary durin Nov 2001 to Oct 2002 dividing each of these two coastal water bodies into three zone (Riverine zone I, Middle zone II, Seaward zone III). Although the total number of species found in the Thane creek was high (67 spp.) as compared to Ulhas river estuary (58 spp.) the upper zone (I & II) of the former and zone I of later contain very low density of fish fauna. The salinity trend of zone-I of Thane creek is fairly nearer to zone-II od Ulhas river estuary but there is considerable difference in the fishery composition. It seems that various human activities like industrial effluent, domestic waste disposal, reclamation, sand dredging and eradication of mangrove flora have deteriorated these dynamic habitats causing decline in in their fin fish and shell fish fauna during last two decades. It has been observed that the mudskippers, prawns have completely eradicated from the entire stretch of the Thane crrek due to heavy industrial and domestic waste disposal although there is fairly good mangrove vegetation along its west bank. In case of Ulhas river estuary the sand dredging, occurring on its southern bank has forced the bottom dwellers like mud skippers, prawns & crabs to shift towards northern bank in zone II & III. A fairly good variety of fishery at the mouth of Thane creek and Ulhas river estuary indicated that timely implementation of mitigation measures may revive the fishery of the two ecosystems.
Proc. The National Seminar on Creeks, Estuaries and Mangroves - Pollution and Conservation, Nov. 2002 : 135-141
QUALITATIVE STUDY OF FIN FISH AND SHELL FISH FAUNA OF
THANE CREEK AND ULHAS RIVER ESTUARY
Sudesh D. Rathod, N. N. Patil, Goldin Quadros and R. P. Athalye
Zoology Department, B. N. Bandodkar College of Science, Thane (W) 400 601.
ABSTRACT : An attempt has been made to obtain the comparative finfish & Shellfish fauna qualitatively from
the Thane creek and Ulhas river estuary during Nov. 2001 to Oct. 2002 dividing each of these two coastal
water bodies into three zones (Riverine zone I, Middle zone II, Seaward zone III). Although the total no. of
species found in the Thane creek was high (67 spp.) as compared to Ulhas river estuary (58 spp.), the upper
zones (I & II) of the former and zone I of the later contain very low diversity of fish fauna. The salinity trend of
zone –I of Thane Creek is fairly nearer to zone –II of Ulhas River Estuary but there is considerable difference
in the fishery composition. It seems that various human activities like industrial effluents, domestic waste
disposal, reclamation, sand dredging and eradication of mangrove flora have deteriorated these dynamic
habitats causing decline in their fin fish & shell fish fauna during last two decades. It has been observed that
the mudskippers, prawns have been completely eradicated from the entire stretch of the Thane creek due to
heavy industrial & domestic waste disposal although there is fairly good mangrove vegetation along its west
bank. Incase of Ulhas river estuary, the sand dredging, occurring on its southern bank has forced the bottom
dwellers like mudskippers, prawns & crabs to shift towards northern bank in zone II and III.
A fairly good variety of fishery at the mouth of Thane creek and Ulhas river estuary indicated that
timely implementation of mitigation measures may revive the fishery of the two ecosystems.
Keywords: Qualitative Fish Fauna, Thane creek, Ulhas river estuary, anthropogenic activities.
INTRODUCTION
The coastal inward waters play important role
as refuge to the fishes from marine as well as adjacent
water bodies. Various fish and non-fish spp. visiting the
inward waters like estuaries, lagoons, creeks and
marshes in addition to the endemic species increase
the diversity of their fauna. These habitats holding
halophyte vegetation like mangroves and organic rich
mudflats prove to be ideal for their feeding and breeding
activities. The environments like creeks and estuaries
along the coastal regions exhibit seasonal change in the
species composition as different fin fish and shell fish
species are attracted during the seasons to their feeding
or breeding niche. Therefore these habitats overall hold
rich fish faunal diversity.
The two dynamic environments, the Thane creek
and Ulhas river estuary situated in the vicinity of the
Mumbai-Thane complex, are the major water bodies
supporting the local fisher folk for their livelihood from
many decades. They are experiencing declined
productivity and a miserable condition at present as these
two aquatic habitats are heavily burdened by the
industrial and urban activities, since long. Comparison
of data with the earlier studies reveal that several species
of prawns, crabs, bivalves, gastropods and fin fish which
were caught in the upper reaches of these two
environments (Mutsaddi, 1964, Qamrul, 1980; Tandel,
1984; Pejavar, 1984), are now a days vanished
completely from the areas.
The Thane creek (Lat. 19°.00 to 19°. 15 N; Long.
72°. 55 to 73°. 55) situated eastwards of Thane City is
26 km long opening at its southwest approach to Mumbai
Harbour bay and is connected at its northern end to the
Ulhas River Estuary by a narrow connection. The creek
has basin about 2.5 m at high tide traversed with rocky
floor intermittently. The slow tidal current encourage
formation of mudflats. Mangroves are densely populated
on the west bank of the creek. The creek receives treated
and untreated domestic wastes and effluents from
industries like chemical, petrochemical, fertilizers etc.
situated throughout the Belapur belt on east bank
(Athalye, 1988; Goldin, 2001).
Ulhas river (Lat. 18°.45’ to 19° .00’ N ; Long. 72°
. 45’ to 73°. 20’ E).being very long and having big
catchment area as it confluents with a number of
tributaries (Qamrul, 1980); covering almost the Thane
district measuring total of 122 km. in length, with an
influence of the tidal water to about 40 km. upstream
upto Dombivali - Kalyan stations forming an estuary ;
meanders through Mumbra, Thane city, Kasheli, Kavani
(Diva), Gaimukh, Ghodbunder and Bhayander before it
joins the Arabian Sea at Vasai creek. The river annually
collects about 2433.82 million cubic metres of water from
Karjat, Kalyan and Murbad Talukas. It holds rich and
diverse fish fauna since it not only carries the brackish
waters in the lower reaches but also the fresh water in
the upper reaches.
135
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The rivers appear as the major sources of
sediment for the beach deposits and sand on the Indian
coast (Chandramohan et. al., 2001). The Ulhas river
estuary is exploited since long for its sand resources
along with fisheries.
The estuary is influenced considerably by
industrial effluents from M.I.D.C., Bhiwandi (Qamrul,
1980) and domestic waste regularly added from the
adjacent areas. Thus due to the decline in fisheries most
of the fisher folk have turned down to sand extraction
business being easily adoptable as they already have
boats as a requirement for the sand extraction. However,
the sand dredging affects the floor of channel of the
estuary and disturbs the sedentary or bottom dwelling
organisms. On the top of that the mangrove vegetation
has been totally removed from the sand landing stations.
In the present paper aspects like important
stress factors, fishing nets and qualitative fishery are
recorded to show the zone wise extent of pollution.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For the study three zones were imagined in each
of the two environments the Thane Creek and Ulhas
River Estuary as Zone I (Riverine end), Zone II (Middle
region), Zone III (Seaward end) (Fig. 1).
Water and Sediment study
Monthly water and sediment samples were
studied from four stations from each zone during period
of Nov. 2001 to Oct. 2002 using Standard Methods
(APHA, AWWA, WPCF, 1981) to assess important
parameters and zone wise averages were calculated.
FISH FAUNA STUDY
Zone wise samples of the fishes were collected
directly from the net, from Nov. 2001 to Oct. 2002 and
carried to the laboratory in icebox for further investigation.
Identification was performed using the keys given in
‘Fishes of India’ (Day, 1889). Care was taken to ensure
the collection from all possible type of the gears used
along the estuary by the local fishermen viz. barrier net
(Vana), hand net (Yeri), bag net (Bokshi & Dol), drift net
(Disco jali) and hand picking in predominant fishing areas.
The fishing intensity in most of the parts of these
ecosystems fluctuates seasonally and even daily on an
account of unattractive yield. Due to this reason the
quantitative data was approximate and hence not
considered for this presentation.
At each station the data on different types of
fishing net used for different methods of fishing, polluting
sources and sand dredging etc. was recorded through
observation and interview with the fishermen.
Though the study was done at each station for
convenience data has been consolidated zone wise.
Ulhas River Estuary Thane Creek
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Total Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Total
Water Parameters Min Max Avg Min Max Avg Min Max Avg Avg Min Max Avg Min Max Avg Min Max Avg Avg.
Water 21.25 33.13 28.03 21 31.5 28.19 22.75 33.25 28.35 28.18 21.5 33.75 28.75 22.5 33.45 29.37 26.38 34.88 30.28 29.71
Temperature oC
Suspended. 0.16 0.96 0.555 0.15 2.375 1.249 0.205 6.15 3.865 1.89 0.43 3.385 1.911 0.6 13.5 2.414 0.535 3.17 1.551 1.958
solids gm/l
Salinity ppt. 0.389 18.51 8.93 0.73 30.28 15.34 1.035 34.92 22.93 15.73 0.803 32.48 19.67 2.85 34.6 23.93 6.825 37.14 27.55 23.73
Dissolved 0.75 3.825 2.29 1.425 3.35 2.55 1.983 4.8 3.62 2.82 0.375 2.925 2.015 0.7 8.2 1.998 0.925 42.11 2.041
oxygen mg/l1
B.O.D. mg/l 5.375 24.43 16.25 2.225 13.48 8.341 0.55 8.45 5.083 9.892 9.75 42.75 24.67 2.125 24.13 13.04 1.9 20.05 10.79 16.17
PO4-P mg/l 0.03 0.094 0.06 0.03 0.092 0.055 0.023 0.061 0.047 0.054 0.061 0.162 0.132 0.033 0.096 0.074 0.027 0.094 0.069 0.092
NO3-N mg/l 0.292 2.521 1.491 0.905 3.533 1.89 0.189 2.275 1.616 1.666 0.471 1.458 1.022 0.145 2.099 0.853 0.145 1.383 0.983 0.953
SiO3-Si mg/l 12.66 77.43 33.67 11.1 72.6 34.07 11.72 61.09 29.07 32.27 12.25 43.02 26.66 8.498 35.15 22.34 5.734 38.98 15.88 21.63
Sediment
parameters
Organic 1.906 4.183 3.102 2.045 3.878 2.926 1.58 3.595 2.611 2.88 2.727 4.512 3.81 2.688 4.568 3.554 2.185 4.003 3.222 3.529
Carbon %Sand % 3.7 15 8.406 8.528 17.5 12.65 14.13 21.91 18.53 13.19 0.895 10 5.18 2.838 10 6.067 4.975 12.5 8.979 6.742
Silt % 48.75 74.1 59.69 30 55.52 41.52 30 69.68 48.88 49.36 62.5 82.23 76.34 63.36 81.07 69.88 60.57 75 65.53 70.59
Clay % 16.34 40 31.9 33.74 52.5 45.84 10.22 52.71 34.6 37.45 15 27.5 18.48 15.86 32.6 24.05 13.75 32.11 25.81 22.77
Table 1 : Water amd sediment parameters of Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek
136
Fig. 1 : Map showing Ulhas river estuary and Thane Creek
ŒŒ
ŒŒ
Table 2 : Types of disturbances observed in Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek.
No Sand dredging activity Ulhas River estuary Thane creek
AZ-I Z-II Z-III Z-I Z-II Z-III
1. No. of boats engaged in sand excavation 11 83 8 - - -
2. Sand landing stations 272 - - -
Total A13 90 10 - - -
No. B Other anthropogenic activities
1. Major sewage & industrial effluent outlets 435 12 9 1
2. Distruction of mangrove sites through 3 4 3 2 2 1
solid waste dumping and reclamations. 6 5 4 4 4 4
Total B13 12 12 18 15 6
Table 3 : Types of Fishing activities in Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek.
No FISHING TYPE Ulhas River estuary Thane creek
Z-I Z-II Z-III Z-I Z-II Z-III
1. Mudskipper fishing 2 2 24 - - -
2. Bag net (Dol/Bokshi) -20 71 - - 11
3. Barrier net (Vana) 215 12 1 4 35
4. Driftnet (Disco jail) -2-145 250
5. Dragnet (Yeri) 1- - - - 10
(150)*
Total 538 107 249 306
* The gear was used extensively for prawn fishing from March to May and
August to October, when water temperature was high.
αααααα
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The important water parameters (Table 1) clearly
indicate higher level of pollution in Thane creek as
compared to Ulhas river estuary.
Thane creek had hypoxic dissolved oxygen (avg
< 2.5 mg / l) through out the creek whereas Ulhas river
estuary had hypoxia mainly in zone I. Both ecosystems
have very high suspended solids and high nutrients,
especially SiO3-Si. Sediment parameters (Table 1) also
indicate high organic carbon contents in the sediment of
Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek (significantly higher
in the later). In general significant pollution is observed
in zone I of Ulhas river estuary and the entire stretch of
Thane creek.
Table 2 shows different factors causing of
pollution in Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek which
include mainly sewage and industrial outlets, reclamation
and destruction of mangroves through various activities
like solid waste dumping or sand landing etc. In Thane
creek zone I and II have more pollution causing factors
than zone III whereas in Ulhas river estuary they are
almost the same in all the zones but they prove more
damaging in zone I as it is narrower with lesser water
mass. Ulhas river estuary has an additional stress in
form of sand excavation activity which is high especially
in zone II. The sand extraction and landing activities are
concentrated on the south bank of the river (due to easy
access to the city and the road transport). Previously
mechanised dredgers were used which have been
banned since 1995. Sand excavation however has kept
the riverbed deep and has helped in retaining flushing
characteristic of the estuary. Due to this siltation in zone
II and III is less as compare to zone I (Table 1). It has
however increased the suspended solids and also the
silicates in Ulhas river estuary.
The above stress conditions have affected
fishery and the effects are felt by the native fisherfolks.
They avoid fishing in the area where fish is not available.
Table 3 shows fishing gears / nets operated in each zone.
The fishing activity in both ecosystems is maximum near
the mouth, intermediate in the middle zone and very poor
in the riverine zone I. This infact is logical even in an
unpolluted creek or estuary. However the present number
137
138
Table 4 : Zone wise occurrence of the Fin fish fauna in the Ulhas river estuary Thane Creek
FIN-FISH FAUNA
ULHAS RIVER ESTUARY
No
SPECIES NAME
FAMILY
Z-I
Z-II
Z-III
Z-I
Z-II
Z-III
1
Boleophthalmus dissumieri
Gobiidae
+
+
+++++
-
-
+
2
Boleophthalmus boddarti
Gobiidae
-
+
+++
-
-
-
3
Gobioides tennuis
Gobiidae
-
+
+
-
-
-
4
Gobius giuris
Gobiidae
-
+++
+
-
-
++
5
Gobius ocellatus
Gobiidae
-
-
++
-
-
++
6
Trypauchen vagina
Gobiidae
-
++
+++
-
-
-
7
Eleotris amboinensis
*Eleotridae
-
-
-
-
-
+
8
Sillago sihama
Trachinidae
-
+
++
-
-
+++
9
Kowala coval
Clupeidae
-
+
+++
-
-
+++
10
Trichiurus savala
Clupeidae
-
++
+++
-
-
+++
11
Clupea sp.
Clupeidae
-
++
++++
-
-
++
12
Pellona feligera
Clupeidae
-
++
+++
-
+
++
13
Pellona elongata
Clupeidae
-
++
++
-
-
++
14
Coilia dussumieri
Clupeidae
-
+
+++
-
-
+++
15
Chaetosus chacunda
Clupeidae
-
-
+++
-
++
++
16
Chaetosus nasus
Clupeidae
-
+
++
+
+
+++
17
Engraulis sp.
Clupeidae
-
++
+++
-
-
+
18
Megalops cyprinoides
Clupeidae
++
+
+
-
-
++
19
*Pseudetroplus maculatus
Cichlidae
-
+
++
-
-
-
20
Chrysophrys datnia
Sparidae
-
++
++
-
-
++
21
*Aplocheilus lineatus
*Aplocheilidae
-
++
++
-
-
-
22
Mugil spigleri
Mugilidae
+
-
+++
+
-
++
23
Mugil dussumieri
Mugilidae
-
++
-
+
-
++
24
Batrachus grunniens
*Batrachoididae
-
+++
+
-
-
+
25
Lates calcarifer
*Latidae
+
+
++
-
+
++
26
Terapon theraps
*Terapontidae
-
+
+++
-
+
+++
27
Terapon jarbua
*Terapontidae
+
-
+++
-
+
+++
28
Siganus canaliculatus
*Siganidae
-
++
-
-
-
+
29
Oreochromis mossambicus
Cichlidae
++
+++
++
-
+
+
30
Mystus gulio
*Bagridae
++
+
++
++
+++
++
31
Mystus ps.
*Bagridae
+
+
++
-
-
-
32
Arius thalassinus
Ariidae
+
-
+++
-
-
++
33
Plotossus arab
*Plotosidae
-
+
-
-
-
-
34
Osteogeneiosus militaris
Ariidae
-
-
+
-
-
+
35
Systomus sarana
Cyprinidae
-
++
-
-
-
++
36
Sciaena dussumieri
Sciaenidae
-
-
++++
+
+
+++
37
*Johnius glaucus
Sciaenidae
+
+
-
-
+
+++
38
*Otolithoides biauritus
Sciaenidae
-
-
++
-
+
++
39
*Dendrophysa russellii
Sciaenidae
-
+
-
-
-
++
40
*Dichotomuctere fluviatilis
*Tetraodontidae
-
+
++
-
-
+
41
*Takifugu oblongus
*Tetraodontidae
-
-
++
-
-
+
42
*Arothron stellatus
*Tetraodontidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
43
*Lagocephalus lunaris
*Tetraodontidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
44
Polynemus tetradactylus
Polynemidae
-
-
+
-
-
+++
45
Cynoglossus elongates
Cynoglossidae
-
-
++
-
-
++
46
Cynoglossus lingua
Cynoglossidae
-
+
+
-
-
++
47
*Pisodonophis boro
*Ophichthidae
-
-
++
-
-
+
48
Harpodon nehereus
Synodontidae
-
-
++
-
-
+
49
Scatophagus argus
Scatophagidae
-
-
+++
-
-
+
50
Triacanthu brevirostris
Triacanthidae
-
-
+
-
-
+
51
Triacanthus strigilifer
Triacanthidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
52
Caranx sp.
Carangidae
-
-
-
-
-
+++
53
*Leiognathus ruconius
Leognathidae
-
++
++
-
-
+
54
*Eubleekeria splendens
Leiognathidae
-
-
-
-
-
++
55
*Deveximentum insidiator
Leognathidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
56
*Karalla dussumieri
Leognathidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
57
Rastrelliger kanagurta
Scombridae
-
-
-
-
-
++
58
*Comberomorus guttatus
Scombridae
-
-
-
-
-
+
59
Echeneis naucrates
Echeneidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
60
Stromateus argenteus
Stromateidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
61
Stromateus sinensis
Stromateidae
-
-
-
-
-
+
Total No. of Species
(diversity)
10
34
41
5
11
55
*The updated species/family names.
Table 5 : Zone wise occurrence of shell fish in Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek.
Shell Fish Fauna Ulhas river estuary Thane creek
No SPECIES FAMILY Z-I Z-II Z-III Z-I Z-II Z-III
1Parapenaeopsis sculptilis Penaeidae -+++ ++ ---
2Peneaus sp. -+++ +++ -+ +
3 Metapenaeus monoceros -+++ --++
4 Metapeneaus sp --++ ---
5 Penaeus indicus --++ --+
6Trachypenaeus sp. --+---
7Macrobrachium rosenbergii.Palaemonidae _++ +---
8Acetus sp. Sergestidae -++--+
9 Alpheus sp. - --++-++
10 Cardium sp. - --++ --++
11 Paphia sp. - - ++ +---
12 Katelysia - --++ ---
13 Portunus sanguinolentus - --++ --+
14 Charybdis sp. - --++ ---
15 Scylla serrata. -++ ++++ ++ --+
16 Octopus sp - -----+
17 Loligo sp.. - -----+
Total No of spp. 3915 1612
Table 6 : Fish composition in Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek.
No FISHING Z-I Z-II Z-III Total Z-I Z-II Z-III Total
1. Fin fishery 10 34 41 43 511 55 55
2. Shell fishery 3 9 15 15 1 6 12 12
Total fishery 13 43 56 58 617 67 67
Percentage 22 74 97 100 925 100 100
of the fishing nets is at least 1/8 th of the nets operated
15 year ago. The fishery yield of these ecosystems, is
drastically reduced to such an extent that the fishermen
are taking up other jobs for their living. Gokhale & Athalye
(1995) have reported 67 % decrease in the fishery in
zone I of Thane creek. In Ulhas river estuary very few
nets are operated on the south bank due to sand
excavation and sand landing activities concentrated on
this bank.
Tables 4 & 5 show the types of fin and shell
fishery respectively, obtained in each zone of Thane
creek and Ulhas river estuary. In general there is more
shell fishery variety in Ulhas river estuary as compared
to Thane creek whereas types of fin fishery are more in
Thane creek. However it is important to note that in Thane
creek higher variety of fin & shell fishery types is obtained
in the seaward region which is much broader than the
mouth of Ulhas river estuary. In the fishery types of Ulhas
river estuary, strictly marine types of fish are absent,
hence the diversity of Ulhas river estuary is slightly lower
than Thane creek. However in Ulhas river estuary 74 %
of the fishery types penetrate upto zone II and 22 %
upto zone I whereas in Thane creek only 25 % enter in
zone II and 9 % in zone I (Table 6). Infact zone I of Thane
creek has physicochemical characteristics similar to zone
II of Ulhas river estuary with which it is connected.
However, it harbours very poor fishery as compared to
zone II of Ulhas river estuary. Thus the qualitative fishery
has got significantly affected by the pollution status of
different zones of Thane creek and Ulhas river estuary.
Apart from the above, following observations are
noteworthy.
1. The Trypauchen vagina, Katelysia spp., Paphia
spp., Meretrix spp., Cardium spp., mudskippers and
prawns which were once abundant in Thane creek are
absent presently in Zone I and Zone II. This is mainly
due to (i) severe pollution and (ii) increased siltation which
has made the substratum unfavourable for these species.
Similar observation is also noted in zone I of Ulhas river
estuary.
Infact absence of mudskipper can be used as an indicator
of heavy pollution in creeks and estuaries.
2. Zone I and II of Thane creek have very heavy
pollution by plastic bags which clogg the nets and fishing
becomes impossible.
139
FISHERY OF THANE CREEK & ULHAS RIVER ESTUARY
Megalops spp.
Gobius spp. Macrobrachium rosenbergii
(1) Mugil Spigleri
(2) Mugil Dussumieri
(1) Pampus sinensis (2) Pampus argenteus (3) Sciaena dussumieri (4) Lates calcarifer
(5) Umbrina spp. (6) Sciaena spp. (7) Otolithus brunneus
140
141
3. A favourable observation to note is significantly
good variety of fishery at the mouth of Thane creek. This
fishery however is not able to penetrate in the creek.
This indicates that if the pollution in the creek is checked,
we will be able to revive the fishery of the creek. The
same applies to zone I of Ulhas river estuary.
CONCLUSION
The observations in qualitative fishery of Thane
creek and Ulhas river estuary have shown the areas
and the extent of deterioration in the two ecosystems
but at the same time they indicate the possibility of
reveiving the systems if mitigation measures are
implemented in time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge with thanks,
the financial support extended by Mumbai Metropolitan
Region - Environment Improvement Society. C/o
MMRDA, Mumbai.
REFERENCES
APHA, AWWA, WPCF, 1981 International standard
methods for the examination of water and waste water.
15th Edition Washington D.C., 874 pp.
Athalye, R.P., 1988. Status of Macrobenthos in detritus
food chain of Thane creek near Thane city. Ph.D. Thesis,
University of Mumbai, 197.pp.
Athalye, R.P., Vidya Mishra, Goldin Quadros, Vidya Ullal
and K.S. Gokhale, 2001 Heavy metals in the abiotic
components of Thane creek, Indi, Ecology, Environment
and conservation 7 (3) : 105 - 111
Chandramohan, P. B.K. Jena and V. Sanil Kumar. 2001
Littoral dripp sources and sinks along the Indian coast.
Current Science 81 (3) : 292 - 296
Day F. 1889. The fishes of India. William Dawson and
Sons, London.
Gokhale K.S. and R.P. Athalye 1995 Study of impact of
pollution on mangrove fauna of Thane creek near Thane
city. Report submitted to the Ministry of Environment and
Forests. New Delhi. 40 pp.
Goldin Quadros,2001 Study of intertidal fauna of Thane
creek. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Mumbai. 264 pp.
Mutsaddi K.B. 1964 A study of Gobioid, Boleopthalmus
Dussumieri (Cuv & Val), Ph.D. Thesis, University Of
Bombay.
Pejaver, M.K. 1984 Biology of some crustaceans from
the creek near Thane city. M.Sc. Thesis University of
Bombay.
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the Ulhas river, District Thane. Journal of Univ. of Bombay.
85 : XLIX , 25 – 38.
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near Thane city. M.Sc. Thesis University of Bombay.
... Food and feeding habit of the fish in the estuary is of great importance in understanding their niche, behavioral patterns, life history, growth, and management of commercially important fisheries (Rathod et al., 2002;Connolly and Guest, 2005). Experts have concentrated on the food and feeding habit of various fish species from different parts of the world but have not depicted the environmental condition through the feeding pattern of the fish. ...
... Due to the heavy industrialization and domestication, TC is affected to a great extent as on the east bank where lies the largest Asian industrialized zone called Thane-Belapur industrial belt. The west bank is highly urbanized Mumbai and Thane cities along with some industries (Rathod et al., 2002). Tirkey et al. (2005) highlighted the main reason for shoreline changes in terms of acceleration and erosion have been anthropogenic interference and human settlement all along the western coast of Mumbai. ...
... The species, which occur perennially 2. Species, migrating seasonally (during monsoon) from marine environment and 3. Species, migrating seasonally from fresh water bodies. Previous studies have shown that the URE and TC were a source of significant fish landings, which declined with degradation from past anthropogenic disturbances affecting water quality and fish diversity of URE and TC to a greater extent (Tandel, 1986;Mathew and Govindan, 1995;Athalye et al., 2001;Rathod et al., 2002;Mishra et al., 2007;Nikam et al., 2008;Rathod and Patil, 2009;Rathod and Patil, 2017). ...
Article
The study considered factors related to feeding habits such as food, frequency of occurrence (F), feeding index (IA) and vacancy index (VI). The aim was to determine the relationship between the feeding habits of a non-selective, euryphagous, voracious and pollution-tolerant fish species in a contaminated habitat. The seasonal food and feeding pattern of Mystus gulio, long whiskered catfish, from Ulhas river estuary and Thane Creek analyzed from stomach content depicted the pollution status of the ambient environment based on the feeding pattern using box-whiskered plot, MDS and cluster analysis. Coconut husk fibres, eggshells, chicken feathers, pieces of brick, sand particles, plastic fibres, etc., represented the non-food component of anthropogenic origin. The presence of non-food items indicates the severely degraded conditions in the study areas, especially in Thane Creek. Although a native fish species tolerant of pollution, the survival of M. gulio in Thane Creek is threatened.
... 18°45″ to 19°00 N; Long. 72°45″ to 73°20″ E) and characterized a large catchment area and its confluence with a large number of tributaries and appears to be one of the major source of sediments for the beach deposits of western Indian coast (Chandramohan et al. 2001;Rathod et al. 2003). The estuarine part of the river extends to 40 km upstream up to where the tidal influence is experienced. ...
... During the dry period, the average salinity of the URE is 25.3 psu (minimum 7.8 and maximum 34.1) and marine conditions persist. The estuary has been exploited since long for its sand resources and fisheries resources (Rathod et al. 2003). The present study considered the downstream part of the URE, covering an area of 13.55 km 2 at the Vasai-Naigaon region of the Mumbai coast. ...
... The higher detrital EE for the URE suggests greater use of detritus as a resource in the northwestern and eastern coastal ecosystems than in the southwestern ecosystems. The Ulhas river estuary is characterized by extensive stretches of mangroves along its banks (Rathod et al. 2003). Also, the Mumbai coast alone harbors 66 km 2 of mangroves, which account for 21.7 % of the mangrove cover of the state of Maharashtra (Kantharajan et al. 2018). ...
Article
Full-text available
The tropical estuaries are characterized with high biological production and also impacted by anthropogenic activities. Describing these estuaries in terms of ecological data and trophic dynamics to reveal the ecological impacts is gaining attention recently. In this study, the ecological structure is analyzed for a heavily impacted small macrotidal tropical estuary, Ulhas river estuary (URE), situated near Mumbai megacity in the western coast of India, to delineate the impact of anthropogenic stressors on the ecosystem functioning. The URE is being exploited for sand and fisheries resources, and also faces risks from anthropogenic activities. The ecological data of URE were compiled for 2017-18 together with the most relevant literature estimates to construct an ecosystem model. A trophic organization in 20 functional groups was identified for URE using Ecopath modeling approach. The functional groups identified in the food web ranged from detritus and primary producers (trophic level (TL) = 1) to large pelagics (TL = 4.14). Detritivory: herbivory ratio (1.35) indicated that the detritus chain is dominant over the primary producer’s chain. The total system throughput (TST) was estimated as 16 736.2 t km⁻²year⁻¹. The indices such as net system production (NSP = 1 398.781 t km⁻² year⁻¹), total primary production/total biomass (TPP/TB = 25.17), biomass/total system throughput (TB/TST = 0.01), recycling index (Finn’s Cycling Index = 13.94%), system omnivory index (0.3), relative ascendency (25.6%), and system overhead (74.4%) classified URE as an immature system. The eco-exergy index (30748.54 gm detritus equivalent m⁻²) showed that the ecosystem is a moderately stable and relatively less organized network. The estuarine fish community index (EFCI) yielded a value of 38 indicating the poor health status of the fish community in URE. The study delivers a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem setting in URE and characterizes the prevailing condition. The ecological indicators analyzed here point towards a medium to a high level of impact in URE due to anthropogenic activities.
... The estuary connects the Ulhas river to the Arabian Sea through Vasai creek (Fig. 1). Ulhas river estuary is a macro-tidal and well-mixed estuary, exhibiting seasonal variations in salinity attributed by the monsoon mediated freshwater influx (Rathod et al., 2002). Ulhas river estuary is characterized by semi diurnal tides, rich mangrove vegetation in the bank areas, high salinity gradient from head water to mouth, diurnal temperature variations and the land runoff carrying huge amount of sediments from its catchment area (Nikam et al., 2008). ...
... The underlying premise of most studies that examine nursery-role concepts is that some nearshore, juvenile habitats contribute disproportionally to the production of individuals that recruit to adult populations (Beck et al., 2001). The Ulhas river estuary is characterized by the presence of considerable mangrove vegetation along its banks (Rathod et al.,2002). Also, 2 the Mumbai coast alone harbours 66 km of mangroves, which accounts 21.7 % of the mangrove cover of the state of Maharashtra (Kantharajan et al., 2018). ...
Article
The aim of this study was to analyze the ecological significance of Ulhas River estuary of the western coast of India using the taxonomic, functional and conservation aspects and also to record an updated database on the estuarine community structure. There were 105 species, belonging to 4 classes, 19 orders, 44 families and 75 genera, recorded from Ulhas River Estuary. The abundance of the marine migrants as well as the amphidromous species in the estuary signifies the use of this ecosystem for the nursery function of commercially important marine fisheries resources
... Consequently, the estuarine water quality deteriorates as the dry season progresses. These effluent supplies to the water body affect aquatic organisms and fish in the estuary (Durve et al., 1961;Metcalf and Eddy, 1979;Patil, 1982;Tandel, 1986;Mohapatra and Rengarajan, 2000;Zingde, 2002;Rathod et al., 2002;Athalye et al., 2003;Lala, 2004). ...
... Green, colourless, and blue MPs are commonly mistaken as prey by fish (Karthik et al., 2018;Naidoo et al., 2020;Ory et al., 2017;Wright et al., 2013), which likely to pose health problems for fish consumers. The Ulhas River basin's high ichthyofaunal diversity (Rathod et al., 2002), combined with the population's high demand for freshwater fish and known incidences of plastic ingestion of MPs by fish (Kumkar et al., 2021), clearly points to the seriousness of the public health. ...
Article
Full-text available
In addition to providing drinking water and a means of transportation, urban rivers also support inland fisheries, agriculture, and industry. Urban rivers, however, are continually being influenced by anthropogenic stressors, such as plastic pollution, and are thus predicted to play a significant role in the worldwide ocean plastic pollution problem. The management of urban rivers remains one of the major challenges due to the lack of knowledge on the degree of riverine microplastics (MPs), particularly in nations like India. Therefore, the current study investigates on MP pollution in the Ulhas River, which runs through Mumbai, India’s most populous metropolis, and contributes significantly to MPs entering the Arabian Sea. MPs were extracted from sediment samples collected across the Ulhas River basin and then identified using FTIR-ATR, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM–EDX. MP particles were detected in every sediment sample taken from the Ulhas River, and their concentration ranged from 40 to 600 particles kg−1 of sediment. LDPE, HDPE, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon were found to be the primary polymers. When combined with demographic estimates and land use patterns, the estimated pollution load index (PLI), polymeric risk (H), and pollution risk index (PRI) show that five of the nine sub-basins are expected to represent significant ecological risk and are therefore referred to as “hotspots” of MP pollution. The majority of MPs in the Ulhas River originate from secondary sources. Examining MPs using SEM–EDX indicates their ageing, disintegration, and association with biofilm. The information obtained from this study’s data is useful for establishing water quality standards, monitoring and controlling pollution efficiently, and serving as a foundation for further research.
... The two dynamic aquatic environments viz. URE and TC situated in the vicinity of the Mumbai-Thane complex are the major water bodies supporting the local fisher folks for their livelihood from many decades (Rathod, 2002). Both the ambient water bodies are known historically for their various records of lucrative fisheries (Mutsaddi, 1964;Qamrul, 1980;Tandel, 1984;Pejaver, 1984). ...
... The Ulhas estuary is highly polluted with untreated domestic and industrial eAluents from Kalyan-Dombivli, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar and Kulgaon-Badlapur regions (Anonymous 2015). Owing to different anthropogenic activities, mangrove growth in the Ulhas estuary is relatively low as compared to the Thane creek (Rathod et al. 2002;Athalye 2013). ...
Article
A numerical hydrodynamic modelling study has been implemented based on the seasonal salinity variations in a networked system (comprising creek and an estuary), which is the first of its kind attempted for the Indian subcontinent. Salinity variations in the estuaries and creeks exhibited unique characteristics caused by the combined effects of various external forces such as tidal flow, freshwater runoff, wind and geometric effects. Precise understanding of dynamical conditions in estuaries and creeks is necessary to address pertinent issues related to oceanography, water quality and ecosystem dynamics. In a broader perspective, it is noted that due to the influence of winds during monsoon, the salinity fields in the estuarine environment are not in a steady state. However, in creeks, tidal flow plays a major role in altering the salinity structure apart from runoff. The results from this study decipher the fact that the networked system was vertically homogenous during all seasons. However, a horizontal salinity gradient was observed in the system depending on the river runoff. The flushing time for the Ulhas estuary was about 1.5 and 2.57 days during the monsoon and non-monsoon seasons, respectively. Similarly, for the Thane creek, tide-driven flushing time was about 3.68 days. The low flushing time during the wet season provides a suitable dynamic environment for effluent discharge in the mid and upstream reaches of the estuary, wherein the freshwater influx is higher. On the contrary, during the dry season over this region, the low runoff and the highest flushing times can increase the pollution or can support the growth of phytoplankton biomass accumulation.
Article
Full-text available
The food and feeding links and sources in an impacted tropical estuary situated along India’s western coast, the Ulhas River Estuary (URE) was analyzed employing the stable Carbon and Nitrogen isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N). Three basal carbon sources, such as mangrove leaves, particulate organic matter (Phytoplankton) and detritus were analyzed together with eight consumer groups from various trophic guilds. The δ13C varied from -19.67‰ to -24.61‰, whereas δ15N ranged from 6.31‰ to 15.39‰ from the primary consumer to the top predator species. The Stable Isotope Mixing Model developed for URE revealed a phytoplankton based pelagic food chain and detritus based benthic food chain in URE. The fairly larger value of SEA (standard Ellipse Area) in the URE suggest a much broader food web structure and high trophic diversity in the ecosystem. Higher influence of detritus on the assimilated diet of majority of consumers and evidences of nitrogen enrichment in the basal sources such as detritus and particulate organic matter by anthropogenic activities in URE point towards nitrogen pollution and subsequent trophic disturbance in this tropical estuarine ecosystem.
Article
Full-text available
Ulhas River which is one of the most polluted rivers of Mumbai receives heavy pollution load from the nearby Dombivali industrial belt. Previous studies reported along the Dombivali industrial belt has indicated that the pollution level is so much alarming that it has created threat to nearby residential areas and also to the Ulhas River flowing in the outskirts of the Dombivali City. It is feared that the toxic chemicals present in the industrial waste might affect the sediment ecosystem of the river. Hence this has provoked us to carry the systematic and detailed study of physico chemical properties of the sediment samples collected along the Ulhas River. The study was done during the year 2012 and 2013, at the sites where the industrial discharge from Dombivli industrial belt Phase I and Phase II joins the Ulhas River. The study was performed to understand the physico chemical properties such as pH, alkalinity, chloride and phosphates. Results of the study reveal that there is an urgent requirement for systematic and regular monitoring of pollution level along the Ulhas River which will further help in improving the industrial waste treatment procedure adopted, along the Dombivli industrial belt. It is expected that such scientific studies will be useful to determine the extent of pollution control measures required in order to avoid long term irreparable damage to the Ulhas River ecosystem.
Article
Full-text available
Metals like Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, C r & A s in different components ofThane creek were studied during 199 1 -94.The re-sults showed that water had metals higher than the permissible limits except in Cu & Zn.The biotic components allowed accumulation of essential metals Fe, Zn & Cu, whereas they regulated toxic trace metals As. C r & Pb. How-ever lead contents of these components, especially prawn (Metapenaeus rnonoceros) and fish (Mystus gulio and Mugil cephalus) were found almost reaching the permissible limits. Zn had maximum accumulation in the prawn, Cu accu-mulated maximum in polychaetes, whereas, Pb, Fe.As & C r accumulated maximum in phytoplankton.The detritus food chain (sediment + polychaete & prawn +,Fish M. gulio) showed higher bioaccummulation as compared t o grazing food chain (water + phytoplankton + fish M. cephalus).A comparison of metal levels with the data of 1984-85 re-vealed increase in Cu. Zn, Pb (except lowering of Cu in sediment and prawn) suggesting deteriorating status of the creek.
Status of Macrobenthos in detritus food chain of Thane creek near Thane city
  • R P Athalye
Athalye, R.P., 1988. Status of Macrobenthos in detritus food chain of Thane creek near Thane city. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Mumbai, 197.pp.
1889. The fishes of India
  • F Day
Day F. 1889. The fishes of India. William Dawson and Sons, London.
Study of impact of pollution on mangrove fauna of Thane creek near Thane city. Report submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests
  • K S Gokhale
  • R P Athalye
Gokhale K.S. and R.P. Athalye 1995 Study of impact of pollution on mangrove fauna of Thane creek near Thane city. Report submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. New Delhi. 40 pp.
A study of Gobioid, Boleopthalmus Dussumieri (Cuv & Val)
  • K B Mutsaddi
Mutsaddi K.B. 1964 A study of Gobioid, Boleopthalmus Dussumieri (Cuv & Val), Ph.D. Thesis, University Of Bombay.
Biology of some crustaceans from the creek near Thane city
  • M K Pejaver
Pejaver, M.K. 1984 Biology of some crustaceans from the creek near Thane city. M.Sc. Thesis University of Bombay.
Studies on fishes and fisheries of the Ulhas river, District Thane
  • Qamrul Hassan
Qamrul Hassan, 1980 Studies on fishes and fisheries of the Ulhas river, District Thane. Journal of Univ. of Bombay. 85 : XLIX, 25 -38.
Biology of some fishes of Thane creek near Thane city
  • S S Tandel
Tandel S.S. 1984 Biology of some fishes of Thane creek near Thane city. M.Sc. Thesis University of Bombay.