Toxic heavy metals in sediments of Mahul Creek near Mumbai, India

The present study was performed for the period of one year from January 2013 to December 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the sediments of Mahul Creek near Mumbai. The annual average concentration of heavy metals like Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, As and Hg was found to be 277.5, 121.7, 100.3, 63.8, 21.5, 14.6, 10.4 and 4.9 ppm respectively. It is feared that this heavy metals accumulated in the creek sediments may enter the water thereby creating threat to the biological life of an aquatic ecosystem. The results of present study indicates that the existing situation if mishandled can cause irreparable ecological harm in the long term well masked by short term economic prosperity due to extensive industrial growth.