SOME ASPECTS OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE NEARSHORE WATERS OF BOMBAY

Primary production, bacterial abundance, their generic composition, so me of their biodegradative enzymes and heterotrophic uptake of labelle d glucose were examined from the waters of Bombay harbour-Thana creek- Bassein creek confluence. Extremely low mineralization rate, as eviden ced from poor microbial heterotrophic activity and fewer bacterial gro ups suggest environmental deterioration. Besides suggesting eutrophica tion, higher rates of primary production in the locations receiving in dustrial wastes were also important in discerning a nonstimulation of microbial mineralisation processes. Most microbial processes were obse rved to be under stress at the locations affected by effluent discharg e than those relatively free of pollutants.