Shridhar D.M. and Nagaraj Parisara
Abstract
In an aquatic ecosystem, the density and diversity of organisms depends on availability and quality of water. During the present study an attempt was made to analyse some of the important physico-chemical parameters of water sample at Purle Pond of Shivamogga city to check the pollution load. Various parameters were analysed for a period of one year on monthly intervals by following standard methods. Among the various parameters recorded the overall Air temperature ranged from 25.5 °C to 31.05 °C; Surface water temperature ranged from 24.3 °C to 29.2 °C. The pH varied from 6.4 to 6.9; Salinity from 45.61 to 71.94; Conductivity from 255 to 340 uS/cm; Turbidity from 1.2 to 2.47NTU; TDS varied from 176 to 260 mg/l; Total Hardness from 77 to 112 mg/l; Calcium from 16.8 to 29.6 mg/l; Magnesium from 6.3 to 10.84 mg/l; BOD ranged from 2 to 8.5 mg/l; COD ranged from 4 to 23.6 mg/l; Nitrate from 1 to 6.85 mg/l; Phosphate from 0.1 to 0.54 mg/l; Chloride from 25.25 to 48.64 mg/l; Alkalinity from 80 to 112 mg/l; Dissolved oxygen ranged from 5.1 to 6 mg/l. Almost all the above parameters showed that the pollution load is increasing at Purle pond due to agricultural run-off, human settlements disposing sewage, medical college sewage and waste water discharge, besides anthropogenic stresses in the catchment area. The BOD and COD of this pond were higher due to discharge of sewage from hospital and Purle village. Hence, the present study urges the need for immediate remedial measures for protection and conservation in order to save this pond from further deterioration.