from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Aug 22: The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) scientists on Monday collected yet another sample of Mahim creek water, which was in the news recently for turning sweet.
"A team of NIO has today collected water sample from Mahim and we are testing it at our lab in Mumbai… We have conducted initial investigations on the water collected earlier which has highly suspected that water from Mithi river has flown into Mahim creek decreasing its salinity," stated Dr Mahesh Jingde, scientist, NIO, who was on a brief official visit to Goa.
The NIO is also checking the micro-organism level and especially pathogen content in the water considering the sewerage discharged into the creek. "High level of micro-organism in the creek is basically because of sewerage running into it. There is sewerage outfall somewhere in the south of bay near twin tower," said Dr Jindge.
He said that possibility of people, who drank the water, getting sick depends on their body resistance power.
The scientists ruled out any effect on marine life with saline water turning into sweet, as this is a natural phenomenon along the coast. "Those marine creatures who can withstand low salinity stay while those who cant migrate into the sea where salinity level is high," Dr Jingde said.
He said that such a phenomenon is witnessed along the coast especially where river meets sea. "The sweet water can be traced even up to 10 kms off-shore," Dr Jingde said adding,"no study is being done along the coast as it is considered as much a natural phenomenon."
The Sweet Talk: