Assessment of Limnological Parameters and Water Quality Indices of Harike Wetland (Ramsar Site), Punjab (India)

Abstract

Study on water quality parameters of Harike Wetland, Punjab was conducted from June 2018 to August 2019 at three representative sites: Site 1, Site 2, Site 3 and mean value was calculated. The study period was divided into various seasons: Rainy (June to August), Autumn (September to November), Winter (December to February), Spring (March to Mid April) and Summer (Mid April to end June). The different water quality parameters include: water temperature, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, nitrates and phosphates. The average values of all parameters were compared with ISI, ICMR and WHO standards for drinking water quality. Correlation coefficient between various physico-chemical parameters was recorded using Pearson Correlation analysis. High Impact of pollution load from various sources on seasonal variations and water quality parameters were observed especially on pH, nitrates and phosphates. pH showed significant negative correlation with all other water quality parameters except phosphates. However, water temperature (except DO), alkalinity, TDS and nitrates represented significant positive correlation with all other physico-chemical parameters. The water quality values were observed to be 53.56 thus, it can be concluded that overall water quality at Harike wetland is “Poor” due to human activities and pollution load (industrial effluents) which affect its quality and quantity. The inadequate availability of freshwater resources can pose serious threat to aquatic biodiversity and render its unfit for human consumption.