Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER IN LOWER STREAM REACHES OF PERIYAR RIVER IN KERALA, INDIA

P. Nimisha and S. Sheeba

Abstract

The river Periyar is comparatively a polluted river of the Kerala state; many major industries are located at lower reaches of the river. The present study was focused on the water quality parameters of the river during the period of 2009. Monthly, seasonal and annual variations of depth, pH, transparency, dissolved oxygen, carbondioxide, alkalinity, salinity, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silicate and ammonia were analyzed. Detailed study in the monthly, seasonal and annual variation of water parameters and possible causes are discussed.