STUDY ON NUTRIENTS OF PAMBA RIVER AT PATHNAMTHITTA DISTRICT, KERALA

S. Binu Kumari, K. Vijayakumar, M. Manimegalai, D. Yasotha

PG and Research Department of Zoology,
Kongunadu Arts and Science College,
Coimbatore – 641 029, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The presence of nutrients and oxygen in water stimulate the growth of aquatic plants which in turn decay to produce undesirable odour demand
and exert high biological oxygen demand on the ecosystem, finally lead to eutrophication of the river. Eutrophication of fresh water is one of the most
significant water quality problems confronting us today. Eutrophication of water bodies is rapidly increasing due to the run off from the surrounding
agricultural fields, domestic discharge and municipal waste into the river. Various nutrients like Ca, Mg, NO3, Silicate, iron, SO4 of the fresh water river
pamba at Pathnamthitta District, Kerala has been investigated for a period of one year from September 2008 to April 2009. The results obtained showed
the degradation of water quality in Pamba river due to high concentration of P, Ca, Mg, SO4, NO3 and Chloride concentration.

Key Words: Pamba river, Nutrients, Degradation

INTRODUCTION

Fresh water is the most precious and one of the most vital resources of all. Fresh water habitats are one of the more common and stable habitats
of the biosphere. The available fresh water to man is hardly 0.3 to 0.5% of the total water available on the earth and therefore, its judicious use is
imperative. The problem of freshwater is becoming more acute day by day landing to the realization that its consumption must be regulated. Some

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important key factors are area of drainage basin, geology of basin, climate including rainfall and its intensity, run- off, vegetation, land use patterns and
presence of reservoirs or dams. Any or all of these factors can be important in a particular river system (Harish Gupta and Chakrapani, 2007).

Lotic water bodies like rivers and streams play a very important role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in nature. But, now the
water quality of fluvial systems is getting deteriorated due to the disposal of wastes in to them and results in jeopardizing the survival of aquatic life.

Drinking water plays an important role in the bodily intake of true element by human. Even though some trace elements are essential to man, at
elevated levels essential as well as non essential element can cause morphological abnormalities reduce growth, increase mortality and mutagenic effects.

Rivers are in general, vulnerable water bodies to contamination due to their easy accessibility for disposal of various types of wastes. Rivers play
a major role in assimilation of the municipal and many other waste waters constituting the constant polluting source and run off from agricultural land, a
seasonal phenomenon, largely affected by climate in the basin. The river discharge and subsequently the concentration of pollutants in river water are
largely influenced by seasonal variations in hydrologic processes in the river basis. Most of the rivers are deteriorating gradually and the maintenance of
the quality of river waters will be severe problem in the years to come (Bhargava et al.,2007).

Based on the above informations, it can be inferred that water is an essential component of the environment and it sustains life on the earth.
Hence the present work was undertaken to study the nutrients of the Pamba River at Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The river Pamba is a fresh water body. It enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta and the Kuttanad area of Alappuzha District. Pamba originates at
pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the western ghats at an altitude of 1650 metres and flows through Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla,
Chengannur, Kuttanad and Ambalapuzha Taluks and finally empties in to the Vembanad lake. Its length is about 176km and the source of elevation is
1650m. The river shares its northern boundary with the Manimala river basis, while it shares the southern boundary with the Achankovil River basis.

Water samples were collected from four sampling stations nakely Kuniyathode (Station I), Parumala (Station II), Kunneth (Station III) and
Theveri (Station IV) for a period of one year from Sept. 2008 to August 2009.

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 The collections of samples were made once in a month at the same time [7.00 am to 9.00 am] and same spots through out the period of study.
Samples were collected in clean white polythene containers and stored at 4°C. Collected samples were brought to the laboratory for determining the
nutrients of the sampling stations by using standard methods of APHA (1998).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The presence of nutrients and oxygen content in water stimulates the growth of aquatic plants which in turn decay to produce undesirable odour
demand and exert high biological oxygen demand on the ecosystem, finally lead to eutrophication of the river. Eutrophication is one of the most
significant water quality problems confronting as today. The main sources of nutrients that contribute to eutrophication are human activities, domestic
sewage and industrial effluents. The results of nutrients were tabulated in the form of Tables (1-2).

In the present investigation in the maximum value of chloride was observation in station II as 165.5 mg/l during the month of May. This may
cause due to sewage and other organic waste from adjacent area and dried up of water.Similar observation was made by Tambeker et al. (2010) The
minimum value of chloride was found in station III as 75.0 mg/l during the month of February. This may be due to increase in level and flow of water in
river resulting in the less concentration of chlorides(Rajalakshmi et al., 2010).

According to Pawar and Pulle (2005) calcium is one of the alkaline earth metal and it is not known to indicate or produce any hazardous effect
on human health. In the present study the maximum value of calcium, was found in station III (200 mg/l) during the month of August. This may cause due
to run off with calcium ions carried from the surrounding areas, fertilizers from agricultural land and effluent from industries and increasing concentration
due to evaporation. Similar observations has also been made by Shasthri and Pendse (2001) and (Sawant et al., 2010). The minimum value of calcium was
recorded in station I (20 mg/l) during the month of September. This may due to increase in the biomass especially gastropods, which consume available
calcium.

Magnesium is essential for chlorophyll bearing organisms. In the present study the higher values of magnesium as 250 mg/l in station I, 290 mg/l
in station II, 250 mg/l in station III and 270 mg/l in station IV respectively. This may cause due to the subsoil brine and weathering granite rock form near

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by area. Similar observations were made by Kumaresan et al. (2004). The lower value of magnesium was reported as 100 mg/l, 70 mg/l, 50 mg/l and 60
mg/l in station I, II, III and IV in the month of February. This may due to planktons and algal uptake.

In the present investigations the maximum value of phosphate was observed in station I (4.40 mg/l) during the month of November. This may
cause due to the inflow of rain water combine with local drainage systems. Similar observations has also been made by Swain et al. (2005) and Negi et al.
(2006). The minimum value of phosphate was recorded as 1.16 mg/l in station I during the month of August. This may cause due to the planktons uptake
and excessive growth of algae (Tambeker et al., 2010). Phosphate may be presented due to high rate of decompositions of waste materials or due to
surface run off from the surrounding crop fields, evaporating of water and low water land during summer (Table 1).

The decomposition and biodegradation of organic matter are the main sources of nitrate present inn water. In the present study the maximum
value of nitrate was observed in station IV (85.4 mg/l) in the month of May. This may cause due to the mixing of sewage and industrial effluents into the
river. The minimum value of nitrate was recorded as 10.2 mg/l in station I during the month of February. This may cause due to the excessive of rain fall.

The main sources for silicates and iron is weathered rock minerals and land run off. In the present study the maximum value of iron was
observed in the maximum value of iron was observed in station IV (3.95 mg/l) during the month of October. This may cause due to the mixing of sewage
and land run off in the river. The minimum value of iron was recorded as 2.60 mg/l in station II during the month of July. The crystalline rocks of Almora
region which includes the granite and gneissic rocks, might be responsible for increase iron content in Kusi river water (Sati and Paliwal, 2008).

In the present investigation the maximum silicate value was in 3.50 mg/l in station IV during the month of June. This may be due nto the death
and down positions of diatoms. Similar observation has also been made by Govindasamy et al. (2000). The minimum silicate value was found in 1.80
mg/l in station II during the month of February. This may cause due to increased populations density of planktors. Diatoms require silicate for the
formation of their skeletal structure.

The maximum sulphate value was 90.00 mg/l in station II during the month of May. This may be due to the mixing of the effluent from
industries and domestic sewage. The minimum sulphate value was found in 10.10 mg/l in station III during the month of December. This may cause due
to the dilution of river water in rainy season. Similar observation has also been made by Subhashini and Saradhamani (2005) (Table 2).

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 Based on the present investigation, the above parameters were analysed. It is confirmed that the river Pamba is more polluted at station III and
IV. The water quality is poor to the human consumption due to the over load of toxic nutrients. Hence to preserve its purity, river ecology and
environment, the pollutants must be treated properly before they are discharged into the river.

References

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Bhargava, D.S., Tripathi, C.P., Singh, N.K. Qualitative assessment of river Gomti in LUucknow. Current Science. 92: 45-47.(2007).

Govindasamy, C., Kannan, L. and Azariah, J. Seasonal variation in physicochemical properties and primary productions in the coastal water biotropes of
coromandel coast, India. J. Environ. Biol. 21(1): 1 – 7 (2000).

Harish Gupta and Chakrapani, G.J. Temporal and spatial variations in water flow and sediment load in the Narmada river. Current Science. 92: 5 (2007).

Kumaresan, S., Chandrasekar, N. and Subbulakshmi, M. An assessment of ground water pollution in and around Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, Poll. Res. 23(4):
823 – 827 (2004).

Negi, R.K., Johad, M.S. and Tarana Neyi. Study of Physico chemical parameters of water of pangdam reservoir parameters of water of Pangdam
reservoir, Himachal Pradesh. A Ramsar site. Him. J. Env. 2001. 20(2): 247 – 251 (2006).

Pawar, S.K. and J.S. Pulle Studies on physico-chemical parameters in pathwadaj Dam, Nanded District in Maharashtra, India. J. Aqua. Biol. 20(2): 123 –
128 (2005).

Rajalakshmi,S.,Krishnamoorthy,G.and deepa,P.V.seasonal variations of abiotic factors in sodalpuri Estury,Puducherry,India. Nature Environment and
Pollution Technology.9(2):223-228 (2010).

Sati, S.C. and P.C. Patiwal Physicochemical and Bacteriological analysis of Kosi river water in Central Himalaya. Poll. Res. 27(1): 179 – 183 (2008).

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Sawant,R.S., Telave,A.B.,Desai,P.D. and Desai,J.S.Variations in Hydrobiological characteristics of Atyal pond in Gadhinglaj Tahsil
Dist,Kollhapur,Maharashtra. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology.9(2):273-278 (2010).

Shastri, Y., Pendse, D.S. Hydrobiological study of Dahikhuta reservoir. Journal Environmental Biology, 22: 67 – 70 (2001).

Subhashini, S. and Saradhamani, M. Hydrobiology of Aliyan Reservoir, Coimbatore District, India. Indian J. Environ. and Ecoplan. 8(3): 715-718 (2004).

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Table 1. Data showing the Nutrients of the River Pamba during the period of one year (Sep. 2008 – Aug. 2009).
Parameters Chloride (mg/l) Calcium (mg/l) Magnesium (mg/l) Phosphate (mg/l)
Months S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
Sep. 2008 90.1 105.2 120.2 65.3 20 70 100 30 130 180 120 140 3.67 3.20 2.10 2.90
Oct. 100.3 110.5 130.0 80.5 40 90 140 50 110 160 100 120 4.00 3.40 2.50 3.00
Nov. 113.6 120.7 142 90.9 60 110 160 75 140 120 130 150 4.40 3.53 2.65 3.09
Dec. 80.1 102.5 117.3 70.4 35 80 125 40 120 110 90 100 3.50 3.15 2.00 2.40
Jan. 2009 105.2 104.4 119.5 75.6 30 65 100 35 110 90 60 80 3.45 3.10 1.97 2.32
Feb. 102.1 90.5 75.0 67.3 25 50 75 30 100 70 50 60 2.25 2.80 1.50 2.28
Mar. 120.6 132.4 100.5 75.6 60 80 120 70 170 210 160 190 2.30 2.97 1.68 2.32
Apr. 132.5 145.6 125.3 95.2 90 130 180 150 190 240 180 230 2.37 3.00 1.97 2.15
May 150.3 165.5 140.2 110.1 100 150 190 170 230 290 250 270 2.65 3.20 2.27 2.32
Jun. 140.1 150.2 120.1 90.3 90 140 170 160 180 200 180 170 2.40 3.10 2.17 2.20
Jul. 130.2 147.3 105.4 85.2 95 145 180 165 200 230 210 190 2.20 3.00 2.12 2.00
Aug. 125.3 135.2 100.3 70.0 110 160 200 190 250 270 250 220 1.16 2.92 2.01 1.91
S1 – Station I (Kuthiyathodu) S2 – Station II (Parumala)
S3 – Station III (Kunneth) S4 – Station IV (Theveri)

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Table 2. Data showing the Nutrients of the River Pamba during the period of one year (Sep. 2008 – Aug. 2009).
Parameters Nitrates (mg/l) Iron (mg/l) Silicates (mg/l) Sulphates (mg/l)
Months S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
Sep. 2008 40.10 50.20 55.0 75.4 3.10 3.15 3.90 3.80 2.40 2.35 2.50 2.45 40.20 50.40 40.20 40.30
Oct. 50.50 57.25 59.1 80.2 3.15 3.20 3.90 3.95 2.95 2.70 2.75 2.70 50.10 60.70 50.30 50.40
Nov. 30.75 51.25 41 71.75 3.08 3.07 3.80 3.65 2.65 2.45 2.67 2.65 20.96 30.92 20.94 20.96
Dec. 29.4 50.5 40.0 70.50 3.00 2.95 3.10 3.05 2.00 1.90 2.10 2.05 10.20 20.10 10.10 10.30
Jan. 2009 20.5 40.3 30.1 60.20 3.05 3.09 3.90 3.70 2.20 2.35 2.50 2.45 20.50 30.40 20.60 20.30
Feb. 10.2 30.1 20.0 50.3 2.90 2.75 2.85 2.95 1.95 1.80 2.00 1.90 40.60 50.20 40.40 40.70
Mar. 30.3 50.2 40.3 70.4 2.95 2.80 2.90 3.00 2.10 2.00 2.05 2.10 60.20 70.10 50.20 60.50
Apr. 35.2 57.1 45.6 76.1 3.20 3.15 3.25 3.90 2.00 1.95 2.10 2.05 70.10 80.30 60.30 70.70
May 50.1 70.2 60.1 85.4 3.25 3.20 3.30 3.95 2.10 2.20 2.30 2.35 80.20 90.00 60.00 80.30
Jun. 30.0 50.2 50.4 70.2 3.00 3.05 3.10 3.50 3.20 3.30 3.45 3.50 60.10 70.00 50.10 60.20
Jul. 35.4 54.3 55.2 75.4 2.70 2.60 2.65 2.75 3.10 3.15 3.30 3.40 50.20 60.10 40.00 50.10
Aug. 30.2 50.0 52.0 70.2 2.75 2.70 2.80 2.90 3.00 3.10 3.20 3.25 60.00 65.00 50.00 50.25
S1 – Station I (Kuthiyathodu) S2 – Station II (Parumala)
S3 – Station III (Kunneth) S4 – Station IV (Theveri)