Executive Summary : | Odisha coast is spread over 480 kms and supports rich biodiversity. Bay of Bengal (BoB) is a highly dynamic ecosystem which receives fresh water discharge from rivers and the eastern part of the Bay is strongly influenced by the monsoon rainfall from July to September whereas the southern part is influenced by the same from October to December. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants and are formed due to incomplete burning of garbage, gas, and oil. They have been classified as potent mutagens, carcinogens and teratogens as per EPA.PAHs have low aqueous solubility and very strong hydrophobic nature which leads to their accumulation and deposition in sediments and open sea. Marine environments have become common exposure site for aquatic organisms with regard to PAH group of toxicants. PAHs have petrogenic or pyrogenic sources and are generated as a result of both anthropogenic as well as natural sources. They are added to the coastal bodies as a result of runoffs, trawling activities and discharge of sewage through point and non - point sources. Chandipur fishing jetty is not developed as a proper fishing harbour, yet more than 2,213 small and large trawlers are operating from Balramgadi. Trawlers also release black smoke during their movement and this black smoke increases the PAH load of the coastal environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly carcinogenic, mutagenic, and genotoxic. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generally colourless, white or light-yellow solids and identified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour, 2016). The major objective of the present study is to determine and evaluate the concentration of PAHs in coastal waters of Chandipur and design, derive and formulate an Integrated Biomarker Response index for PAH pollution and evaluate toxicological implications of these contaminants. To attain the objectives of the study, various key hydro-biological parameters like water transparency, pH, water temperature, DO, salinity, TDS, alkalinity, total phosphate, orthophosphate, sulphate, silicate, nitrite, nitrate, TOC and PAH concentration will analyzed. Water samples will be collected from 0 to 50 kms( 0,5,10,15,20,25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50 km) into the sea and from the surface and from depth if feasible. Sampling will be carried out in four seasons covering summer winter pre monsoon and monsoon. This will be followed by calculating the score value of physico-chemical indices , designing a star plot and formulating a Integrated Biomarker response index to correlate all the parameters and have a common index to signify PAHs pollution. |