Canacona: Goan water bodies once beaming with life are now dying of Eutrophication.
Eutrophication is the phenomenon that occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induces excessive growth of plants and algae.
Limnologists in Goa say it is evident from the bright green waters, caused by a dense bloom of cyanobacteria in most of the water bodies in Goa, that Eutrophication is causing havoc to the aquatic environment all across the state.
Goa is blessed with abundant rain as it is on the path of South West monsoon winds and a climatic barrier in the form of the western ghats means that Goa lies on the windward side receiving the majority of rainfall.
It is these rains that has made Goa a paradise, but overexploitation of its resources and scant respect to nature and environment has led Goa to a situation wherein garbage of all kinds is strewn even in water bodies; also the release of untreated sewage water in the open eventually finding its way to these water bodies, causing irreversible damage to the environment by polluting our precious surface and underground water resources.
In particular the algal bloom and over growth of aquatic plants in River Sal, like other polluted water bodies has covered it entirely through excessive growth leading to blockage of sunlight and depletion in oxygen levels in the waters.
This bloom is blocking out the sunlight from reaching other underwater organisms, and deplete oxygen levels in the water; moreover, some algae also secrete poisons into these waters.
All of which can lead to fish die-offs, say experts in the field.
Eutrophication of Goa’s water bodies close to human settlements or activity is induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate containing detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, fecal matter and other sewage directly discharged into the aquatic system.
While developed countries like USA, Japan and European Union have switched over to ‘alternative’ non-phosphate based detergent builders, such as ‘Zeolite A’ vis a vis installed improved waste water treatment in place, which effectively keeps their water bodies free from contamination; the detergents available here contain tripolyphosphate as an essential constituent which together with other discharge is associated with Environmental problems such as eutrophication.
Eutrophication arises from the oversupply of these nutrients, which leads to overgrowth of plants and algae, ultimately leading to degradation of the aquatic ecosystem. After such organisms die, the bacterial degradation of their biomass consumes the dissolved oxygen in the water, thereby creating the state of hypoxia resulting in wipe out of aquatic life from these affected water bodies.
Water Hyacinth an aquatic plant in particular taking advantage of the ideal conditions prevailing in the fresh water bodies and back waters of Goa is playing havoc for the indigenous aquatic lives. It was first introduced in Bengal because of its beautiful flowers and shapes of leaves, but turned out to be an invasive weed draining oxygen from the water bodies and resulted in death of many fish, later to be declared “Terror of Bengal”.
“Lack of foresight, over exploitation of natural resources and absence of scientific vision towards preservation of our environment is slowly taking its toll. An urgent, full-fledged study to find a solution to stop the decay, coupled with complete turnaround in our environmental fortunes is the only hope for saving this beautiful paradise on earth” said Capt Viriato Fernandes, Co convener of Goencho Avaaz.
“Urgent steps are to be initiated by taking everyone on board, be it government establishments, locals, environmentalists and the limnologists to find a permanent solution as we are duty bound to pass on our water bodies in same pure conditions that we received from our fore-fathers” Capt. Fernandes said.
