Assessment and analysis of water quality of main estuaries in Jiangsu Province

Water samples were collected from 30 main estuaries in Jiangsu Province and the main pollution indexes(TN,NH+4-N,TP and pH value) were analyzed.The water quality conditions were assessed with a single factor pollution index method and the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method in order to characterize the pollution degree and the main pollutants.The results indicated that the water quality in 90% of the estuaries does not meet Class III water quality standards according to the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water in China.63% of those estuaries were slightly polluted and 27% were moderately polluted.The major pollutants were TN and TP.