Abstract
This study describes the nutrient dynamics in coastal area of Paradise Point that is mainly affected by the waste water of Karachi Atomic Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) and sewage from different sources (domestic and industrial). For this purpose, variation in nitrogen (NH3, NO3 and NO2), Phosphorus (inorganic and organic) concentrations and hydrographic conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and, chemical oxygen demand) in surface seawater as well as in tide pools seawater of Paradise Point were determined. The samples of seawater were collected during the period of three years. The present study indicates that domestic and industrial urban sewage likely affects and increases the concentration of nutrient. The nutrients were mostly low in surface seawater as compared to tide pools. The nitrogen of seawater has positive insignificant correlation with phosphorus. It was noted also that the salinity was high in winter season and low in rainy season. The seasonal trend was found in temperature and dissolved oxygen and high values were found in summer (May to August) and lower values in winter (December to February). Significant differences were also observed in salinity, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand.
