ENVIRONMENTAL-QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PORT-BLAIR IN ANDAMAN-ISLANDS

The Andman and Nicobar archipelago comprises of about 556 small and bi g islands covering an area of 8493 sq, kms in the Bay of Bengal. The v ery remoteness of these islands from the mainland has preserved their pristine environment and spectacular natural beauty. The Andman and Ni cobar Administration is going for major developmental projects to cope with the increasing needs of the people, which ultimately results in significant changes in environmental quality. This paper describes the existing environmental quality around Port Blair city, which will giv e baseline scenario to assess the environmental impacts due to develop ments in the future. In order to monitor the air quality of the region , sampling stations were selected based on the locations of various in dustries and domestic activities. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) were monitored for a p eriod of one month during winter season. In addition, micrometeorologi cal data, viz. wind speed and direction were also recorded and analyse d to obtain the representative meteorological scenario of the air basi n. The monitored values of ambient air quality was found to be within the NAAQ standards of India. Similarly, noise levels were also measure d at various locations viz., residential areas, commercial centres, vi llages, stone quarry sites and construction sites. Noise levels were f ound to exceed the standards at stone quarry, construction sites and o ther locations. Water quality studies were carried out with respect to surface and ground water. The various physico- chemical and bacteriol ogical parameters were analysed. It was observed that the physicochemi cal parameters of surface and ground water lie within the standards st ipulated for Indian subcontinent except for heavy metals which exceed the limits in ground water samples. Bacteriological analysis of sea wa ter and ground water indicate that they are contaminated with faecal m atters. Further, the ground water can be used for drinking purposes on ly after adequate treatment.