Concentration of some trace metals in the estuarine waters of Zuari river of Goa, India

Abstract

The surface and bottom water sam ples from the Estuarine region of Zuari river were collected from ten sampling stations located along the course of the river. These water samples were analyzed for some trace metal contents viz., Zinc, Iron, Cadmium, Cobalt and Copper. The samplings were carried out during three seasons viz., pre-monsoon (February-May), monsoon (June-September), post-monsoon (October-January). The general distribution of Zinc (g/l) varied from 16.20 to 64.50 during pre-monsoon, 14.55 to 108.0 during monsoon and 4.05 to 21.20 during post-monsoon while Iron (g/l) concentration varied from 18.80 to 239.80 during pre-monsoon, 25.20 to 157.75 during monsoon and 10.08 to 63.05 during post-monsoon. Cadmium (g/l) concentrations varied from 0.20 to 5.80 during pre-monsoon, from 0.20to 5.0 during m onsoon and from 0.35 to 1.30 during post-monsoon while Cobalt (g/l) concentrations varied from 0.35 to 1.47 during pre-monsoon, from 0.32 to 0.95 during monsoon and from 0.35 to 1.3 during post-monsoon. Copper (g/l) concentrations varied from 0.55 to 7.70 during pre-monsoon, from 0.30 to 7.95 during monsoon and from 0.30 to 6.2 during post-monsoon.