A Comparative study on hydrochemical profile of Alang- World’s largest shipbreaking yard and Gopnath

The preset study was undertaken at Alang which is known as a world’s largest ship breaking yard and Gopnath (Gulf of khambhat), Gujarat, India. The tidal, geographical, and climatic features make Alang an ideal ship breaking location with thousandths of ships getting scrapped each year. The aim of this research was to monitor temporal and spatial variation of hydrochemical characteristics. The water samples were collected bimonthly basis from two different locations at both the site. The surface water quality of marine water was assessed using 14 hydrochemical parameter e.g. physical variables (Temperature, EC), chemical variables (pH, DO, PA, TA, Chloride, Total Hardness, Ca Hardness, Mg Hardness, and nutrients variables (Sulphate, Phosphate, Nitrate). In present study the pH of seawater at Alang ranged from 8.7 to 9.2 whereas pH of seawater at Gopnath ranged from 8.7 to 9.1. Salinity of Alang fluctuated from 26.5 to 35 % and salinity of Gopnath ranged from 29.7% to 35%. Temperature was reached maximum in pre monsoon period by 33°C and minimum was noticed in post monsoon with 24°C. The electrical conductivity of Alang and Gopnath ranged from 34 ms/cm to 50 ms/cm and 41 ms/cm to 74 ms/cm respectively. The DO refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in the sea water and it is particularly important in limnology (aquatic ecology). The study shows that the DO at Alang and Gopnath varied from 6.3 mg/L to 7.6 mg/L and 6.7 mg/L to 7.2 mg/L respectively. Seawater is more alkaline due to hardness of water. Calcium and magnesium both play an important role in provoking the toxic effects of various ions and neutralizing the excess acid produced. The calcium and magnesium hardness of Alang’s seawater ranged from 2187 mg/L to 4776 mg/L and 787 mg/L to 1312 mg/L respectively, Whereas calcium and magnesium hardness of Gopnath’s seawater ranged from 2798 mg/L to 6595 mg/L and 790 mg/L to 1102 mg/L respectively. Maximum phosphate concentration recorded at Alang and Gopnath was 0.6 mg/L to 0.9 mg/L respectively. Whereas maximum sulphate concentration recorded at Alang and Gopnath was 2.4 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L respectively and the maximum concentration of nitrate at Alang was 1.2 mg/L and at Gopnath it was 1.7 mg/L respectively. The physicochemical parameter of water including pH, DO, Sulphate and nitrate were higher in Alang whereas Salinity, Hardness and phosphate concentration were higher in Gopnath. Shipbreaking activity carried out at Alang releases number of organic, inorganic chemicals as well as heavy metal which affect the marine water quality and the marine water quality of Gopnath is affected by the religious activity. This baseline study on marine environment monitoring, aquatic pollution and environmental sustainability will be helpful to ecologists, environmentalists and biologists to conserving, protecting, and managing Gujarat's existing marine ecosystems.