Multivariate and Statistical Evaluation of Coastal Water Quality and Seasonal Variation in the Physicochemical Properties of Gulf of Khambhat Region, Gujarat, India

Singh, Jitendra Kumar; Kumar, Pankaj; Vishwakarma, Saurabh

Multivariate and Statistical Evaluation of Coastal Water Quality and Seasonal Variation in the Physicochemical Properties of Gulf of Khambhat Region, Gujarat, India

2022

Singh, Jitendra Kumar | Kumar, Pankaj | Vishwakarma, Saurabh

Coastal basins are the world’s largest ultimate natural system for productivity and more than 40% of the world’s population prefers to live on the coastline. Thus, the coastal region is of great economic and nutritional importance. The current research study investigates the seasonal deviations in coastal water quality at four different locations along the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India, for three consecutive seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon). The coastal water samples were collected and analyzed for the water quality in the prescribed study area. As a result, sea surface temperature, salinity, pH, EC, alkalinity, turbidity, salinity, total suspended particles, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, chloride, sulfate, and nutrients such as nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and total organic carbon were investigated at Gulf of Khambhat Region. The samples were collected from four different locations (Ghogha, Dumas, Dahej, and Purna). The multivariate statistical analysis indicates that oxygen, dissolved solids, salinity, nutrients, the natural, and anthropogenic conditions are the major factor that affects water quality. The water quality index was calculated to evaluate the seasonal water quality of GoK. The results revealed that the quality of water was moderate in pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon. The findings suggest that anthropogenic disturbances and the development of a variety of activities with increased point and non-point stormwater runoff are pumped directly into the coastal areas which damaged water quality. Therefore, the outcomes of physicochemical research of water quality indicators may be a useful tool for government leaders trying to ensure GoK’s long-term sustainability.

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