MUSSEL POLLUTION AT KORAPUZHA ESTUARY (MALABAR), WITH AN ACCOUNT OF CERTAIN COLIFORM TYPES

Abstract

OYSTERS, mussels and other shell-fish are highly nutritious foods, which,
apart from their usual proximate principles, contain fairly high amounts
of minerals Uke iodine, copper, iron, etc., and vitamins. In the shallow rocky
areas of Malabar Coast there are numerous green mussel (Mytilus edulis)
beds from which large quantities of mussels are taken out almost throughout
the year, which form an important item of food for people of low incomes.
As the mussels grow in shallow areas subject to the influence of land drainage,
sewage and river systems, these beds constitute a potential hazard to
pubUc health on account of possible epidemic infections being carried by
the shell-fish