Abstract:
Analysis of physico - chemical parameters gives an insight to the spatial
distribution of Mugil cephalus in Negombo estuary. The present study was
carried out to the spatial distribution of Mugil cephalus that is governed by
the physico - chemical parameters in bottom overlying surface water in
Negombo estuary, Sri Lanka. Samplings at selected sites were done during
one year study period from January 2017 to December 2017. During this
study, fish (Mugil cephalus) and water samples were collected at Sea mouth,
Duwa, Pitipana, Munnakkaraya, Dungalpitya, Dandugam Oya and
Katunayake sites. Physico - chemical parameters such as the water
temperature, salinity, pH, DO, electrical conductivity, BOD, COD and
nutrients levels in the bottom overlying water were measured and analyzed
using employing standards methods. The results revealed that salinity, pH, EC,
BOD and nutrient levels were below the maximum permissible limits of the
discharge industrial wastewater quality standards of the Central Environmental
Authority (CEA), Sri Lanka. The COD levels were higher than the permissible
threshold limits. The seasonality in the physico - chemical levels of water
were observed with a peak period from May/June and October/November,
which apparently coincided with the inter monsoonal periods of the island
