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<p>Estuaries are vital coastal ecosystems that support biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and ecological processes but are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stress and climate-driven shifts in monsoonal patterns. This study hypothesizes that monsoonal variability governs estuarine water quality and microbial resilience, a relationship not well explored despite existing research on physicochemical dynamics. To bridge this research gap, this study analyzed key physicochemical and microbiological parameters in the Mandovi-Zuari estuarine system to determine Water Quality Index (WQI) and assess carrying capacity thresholds from 14 locations across four seasons: intermonsoon, premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon. Results revealed that monsoonal flushing plays a critical role in improving water quality by enhancing oxygenation and diluting pollutants, with WQI values indicative of healthy aquatic conditions at most locations. However, premonsoon and intermonsoon seasons exhibited marked degradation, characterized by low dissolved oxygen, high microbial contamination, and elevated WQI values, particularly at pollution-prone locations such as fishing jetties and tourist hotspots. Furthermore, a negative correlation between WQI and rainfall indicated improved water quality during monsoonal flushing and deterioration during dry seasons. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that the premonsoon season had the highest probability (59.7%) of WQI exceeding critical thresholds, highlighting the vulnerability of the estuarine systems during low-flushing conditions. While monsoonal dilution provides temporary improvement in water quality, persistent pollution hotspots necessitate site-specific interventions, including improved wastewater treatment and nature-based solutions. Collectively, these findings highlight that limited flushing during dry seasons facilitates microbial accumulation and oxygen depletion in anthropogenically stressed estuarine zones, thereby exceeding the carrying capacity and reinforcing the need for site-specific management strategies.</p>

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Monsoon-Driven Variability in Water Quality Index and Microbial Pollution Influencing the Carrying Capacity of the Mandovi-Zuari Estuarine System, Goa, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月23日

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  • Ashutosh Shankar Parab,
  • Mayukhmita Ghose,
  • Cathrine Sumathi Manohar,
  • S Neetu

摘要

Estuaries are vital coastal ecosystems that support biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and ecological processes but are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stress and climate-driven shifts in monsoonal patterns. This study hypothesizes that monsoonal variability governs estuarine water quality and microbial resilience, a relationship not well explored despite existing research on physicochemical dynamics. To bridge this research gap, this study analyzed key physicochemical and microbiological parameters in the Mandovi-Zuari estuarine system to determine Water Quality Index (WQI) and assess carrying capacity thresholds from 14 locations across four seasons: intermonsoon, premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon. Results revealed that monsoonal flushing plays a critical role in improving water quality by enhancing oxygenation and diluting pollutants, with WQI values indicative of healthy aquatic conditions at most locations. However, premonsoon and intermonsoon seasons exhibited marked degradation, characterized by low dissolved oxygen, high microbial contamination, and elevated WQI values, particularly at pollution-prone locations such as fishing jetties and tourist hotspots. Furthermore, a negative correlation between WQI and rainfall indicated improved water quality during monsoonal flushing and deterioration during dry seasons. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that the premonsoon season had the highest probability (59.7%) of WQI exceeding critical thresholds, highlighting the vulnerability of the estuarine systems during low-flushing conditions. While monsoonal dilution provides temporary improvement in water quality, persistent pollution hotspots necessitate site-specific interventions, including improved wastewater treatment and nature-based solutions. Collectively, these findings highlight that limited flushing during dry seasons facilitates microbial accumulation and oxygen depletion in anthropogenically stressed estuarine zones, thereby exceeding the carrying capacity and reinforcing the need for site-specific management strategies.