IMPACT OF THERMAL DISCHARGE FROM A JAIGAD COASTAL POWER PLANT ON PHYTOPLANKTONA.S. TEKADE, G.N. KULKARNI AND S.T. INDULKARAbstract The impact of thermal effluents from Jaigad coastal power plant located at the Jaigad coast, which is a major fishing village of Ratnagiri district (Maharashtra) along the central Konkan coast of India. Impact of thermal effluent on phytoplankton was studied by field observations. Monthly boat cruises (for 9 months) were carried out to study the effects of temperature on phytoplankton. Phytoplankton and chlorophyll a decreased during the transit of water, while at mixing point the chlorophyll a values recovered significantly. It is concluded that the effect of thermal discharge from the power plant on phytoplankton in the receiving water body is quite localized and phytoplankton distribution and abundance in the coastal waters per se are not affected. |