Zooplankton population in the polluted environment of Thana Creek and Bombay Harbour

Hydrographical and biological parameters of Thana Creek and Bombay Harbour were studied to assess the prevailing water quality. Zooplankton samples were collected from various stations during January 1975 to July 1975. The qualitative distribution of zooplankton was found to be very irregular and fluctuating. Copepods were the dominant taxa followed by lucifers, chaetognaths, decapod larvae, ctenophores, hydromedusae, fish larvae and polychaetes. To a certain extent the distribution of zooplankton is affected by variation in salinity during different seasons, also along the length of the creek. Pronounced effect of pollution on zooplankton biomass was also observed.