A preliminary record of some of the chemical and physical conditions in waters of the Bombay harbour during 1944-45

Abstract

(1) In the rainy season (from June 15th to the end of September) the Weather Was less settled and there were thunder storms and heavy showers of rain. There was a considerable disturbance in the sea and the water was mixed over great depths during this period. In the remaining part of the year the winds were lighter and the mixing of water less pronounced. The sky was overcast with clouds for the most part of the. rainy season and there was a bright sun light from October to the end of May 1945. (2) The temperature of Water varied between 24° C. and 32.5° C. The maximum temperature of air was recorded as 103.1° F. on 24th March, 1945. (3) The salinity was low in the rainy season.-23.56‰ on 17th July, 1944 and high in the summer-38.4‰ on 21st May, 1945. (4) The range of Hydrogen-ion concentration was 7.8 to 8.35. (5) Phosphates were found in quantities varying between 13.04mg./m³ and 37.8mg./m³. It was as high as 51.9mg./m³ in one sample. (6) The amount of dissolved silica was greater than any other chemical constituents recorded here. The lowest value was 315mg./m³ and the highest 1953mg./m³. (7) The minimum and maximum quantities for nitrite were 4.60mg./m³ and 167.1 mg./m³ and for ammonia 9.84mg./m³ and 156.3 mg./m³ respectively.