Author(s): Paramasivan Sivakumar, Thangaraj Senthamizhchelvi, Ramalingam Reguananth, Jegamohanan Anusha and Sellamuthu Manivannan

Abstract: Assessment of water pollution in the lower Cauvery was executed on the basis of water quality indices. WQI for nine sites were calculated using ten water quality variables (DO, TDS, EC, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Calcium, Nitrate, Chloride, Sulphate). WQI for the three stations, Kabisthalam, Hokenakkal and Moovalur were 40.322, 45.206 and 46.486 respectively, i.e., “Good” category of river water quality. The WQI from Kallanai, Mettur dam, Mukombu were below the level of 51 – 75 and these sites can be categorized as moderately polluted. Tiruchi, Kumbakonam and Melaiyur were below the level of 76 - 100 and these sites can be categorized as severely polluted. High values of WQI were observed to be predominantly from the lower estimations of DO, nitrate, calcium, and greater values of pH in the study sites. It was observed that the major cause of degradation in water quality was high anthropogenic practices, unlawful release of sewage, absence of appropriate sanitation, and urban spillover.

Pages: 336-342  |  1119 Views  142 Downloads

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