Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

PHYSICO CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER FROM DIFFERENT WATER SOURCES OF MIDLAND LATERITE HILL ECOSYSTEM OF KASARAGOD DISTRICT OF KERALA, INDIA

P. M. BEEBI RAZEENA AND MINI M.

Abstract

Kasaragod is the Northern most district of Kerala blessed with different natural resources. Presence of midland laterite hill is the unique feature of this district and has good vegetations that are seasonally different and has various ecological attributes. Hills are the treasure house of ecologically and medicinally important plants. Borewell, Openwell, Surangam and Estuary were the different sources of water in these laterite hills and water of each sources have diffefent physico chemical properties. Physico chemical analysis of suranga water in summer season revealed that it has pH (6.22), Turbidity NTU(O.1), Electrical conductivity (50 μS/cm), acidity (2 mg/litre), alkalinity (12 mg/litre), Hardness (4 mg/L), Ca (0.802 mg/litre), Mg (0.486 mg/L), chloride (10 mg/litre) and fluoride, Iron, nitrate and Chemical Oxygen Demand were nil. But in rainy season water analysis revealed that all these contents are slightly increased. Fluoride, Iron and Chemical oxygen Demand (COD) were detected in rainy season. The content of fluoride was 0.20 mg/L, Iron was 0.09 mg/L and COD was 12 mg/L. Physico chemical analysis of openwell water in Summer season revealed that the pH (6.60), Turbidity NTU(O.4), Electrical conductivity(102μs/cm), acidity (18 mg/ L), alkalinity (8 mg/L), Hardness(24 mg/litre), Ca (4.01 mg/L),Mg (3.40 mg/L), chloride (34 mg/L) and fluoride (0.08 mg/L) and Iron (0.19 mg/L). But in rainy season all the chemical contents were decreased. Physico chemical analysis of borewell water in Summer season revealed that the pH (6.44), Turbidity NTU(28.8), Electrical conductivity( 268μs/cm), acidity (22 mg/L), alkalinity (50 mg/L), Hardness(68 mg/L), Ca (23.26 mg/litre), Mg (2.43 mg/L), chloride (52 mg/L) and fluoride (0.1 mg/L) and Iron (2.86 mg/L). But in rainy season the pH value is only increased (pH was 7.69) and all other contents were decreased. Physico chemical analysis in summer season revealed that its colour was pale yellow, pH (8.07), Turbidity NTU(15.9), Electrical conductivity (48400 μs/cm), acidity (5.5 mg/L), alkalinity (112 mg/L), Hardness (6600 mg/L), Ca(801.6 mg/L), Mg (117 mg/L), chloride (22400 mg/L), fluoride (2.4 mg/L) and Fe (0.71 mg/L) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (1032 mg/L). But in rainy season water analysis indicate that all the above parameters were decreased. Analysis proved that except estuary water all other sources of water is acceptable for drinking purpose. On open well water analysis in rainy and summer season it was observed that all the physico chemical parameters are within the acceptable limit of WHO. Openwell is suitable for all types of lands. All physico chemical analysis of different water revealed that the open well was better source of water and surangam was restricted in laterite hillocks. Seasonal changes did not affect the physico chemical properties of open well water and suranga water of laterite hillocks of Kasaragod district.