Water Quality Dynamics and Sustainability Evaluation of Pamba River, Kerala
- February 26, 2018
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Biology, Zoology
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue II, February 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705
Water Quality Dynamics and Sustainability Evaluation of Pamba River, Kerala
Divya. S. Rajan1*, Anila.K.A2
1Guest Lecturer, P.G Department of Zoology, Christian College, Chengannur, India
2P.G. Student, P.G Department of Zoology, Christian College, Chengannur, India
* Corresponding Author: Divya. S. Rajan
Abstract: Aquatic ecosystems are facing growing threats due to a variety of anthropogenic activities, which entail urgent need for research and education programmes to create awareness in the society for their protection and conservation. In the present study variations in physico-chemical water quality parameters of the river Pamba, Kerala, India was determined .Pamba river with a length of 176 kms is a major river of Kerala. The Pampa River is the third longest river in the South Indian State of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. The River Pamba enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta District and the Kuttanad areas of Alappuzha District. The objective of the study was to investigate the seasonal variations of physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, transparency, hardness, salinity, ammonia, carbon dioxide, Dissolved oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand. As a part of the investigation, four stations were selected for the study for the assessment of water quality of areas such as Kozhancherry, Aranmulla, Chengannur and and Mannar. Water samples were collected during the year 2016-2017 from the study area and the physico-chemical parameters were analyzed with respect to the seasons following standard methods. The study indicates that there is a pronounced variation of most of the water quality parameters with variations in season. There are numerous causes including increasing number of industries and various other anthropogenic activities in the neighbouring regions, global climatic changes that lead to the degradation of the quality of water. The alteration of these water quality parameters may provide an early warning signal about the ecosystem degradation. The findings of the present study also provide a better understanding of this damaged ecosystem and reminds the need for its restoration.
Key words: Dissolved oxygen, salinity, BOD, COD