Criteria for Clasiification and Zoning of Coastal Water (Sea Water)

                                                Foreword
Although the composition of marine waters in deep seas / oceans is remarkably constant all over the world, it varies appreciably in coastal areas because of active interaction between the landmass and marine environment. Coastal waters are the recipient of pollutants from the land- based as well as marine activities. Apart from inputs from rivers and emuent discharges, these areas are subjected to fishing, navigation, recreation, ports and harbours which affect the coastal water quality in varying degrees. .

TProtection of the quality of coastal waters, as aquatic habitats and for other beneficial uses, is a statutory function of the concerned State Pollution Control Boards. To this end, it is necessary to define the parameters for classification and zoning of coastal stretches on the basis of predetermined water quality criteria

The primary water quality criteria for different designated- best-use classes of fresh waters were expounded through a publication of the Central Board titled 'Scheme for Zoning Classification of Indian Rivers, Estuaries and Costal Waters (Part One: Sweet Water)'. Setting such criteria for coastal waters required a sectorwise identification of water uses along the coastline and inventories ofland-basect polluting sources and coastaloutfalls. Having completed these pre-requisites, through field surveys, the Central Board has prepared water-use maps of the coastal areas which were brought out in the five-volume publications titled 'Use Classification of Indian Coasts and Conflicts: Part -I-V', under Coastal Pollution Control Series COPOCS/ 1-5- 1982-87.

This publication outlines the primary water quality criteria of coastal waters for various types of uses which will help in classification and zoning of coastal stretches with reference to selected parameters of water quality .

Dilip Biswas
Chairman, CPCB 
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