Macrobenthos of intertidal zone of Versova along the coast of Mumbai

To assess the biodiversity of macro benthos in the changing environment along the coast of Mumbai, the intertidal zone of Versova was identified. The water quality in this intertidal region was poor with low pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen, and high nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and ammonia. The substratum was sandy with 1.29% organic matter in it. Mean faunal density of 2257 no./m² was recorded during the study which was mainly contributed by polychaetes (83.5%) followed by amphipods (14.5%), while other groups represented were isopods, crabs, hermit crabs, unidentified decapods, pelecypods and gastropods. Average biomass of 34.83 g/m² (93.7%) was contributed by polychaetes. Shannon and Wiener Index (0.4107) indicated heavy pollution in the intertidal area of Versova.