Pollution Studies of a Monomictic Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

In fresh water ecosystems water quality plays an important role in determining the status and condition of that fresh water ecosystem. During the present study an attempt was made to analyse some of the important physicochemical parameters of the water samples of the Monomictic Manasbal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, located at a distance of 30 km north from the Srinagar to check the pollution load and human pressure on the lake. Various physico-chemical parameters were analysed during 2008-2009 at four different sites at monthly intervals by following standard methods. Among the various parameters recorded the overall surface water temperature ranged from 4.4°C to 23.5°C; Air temperature ranged from 6.1°C to 32.9°C; Turbidity index (Secchi-disc transparency) from 3.35 to 4.58; Dissolved oxygen from 6.8 to 8.6 mg L-1; pH from 7.29 to 8.98 ; Electric Conductivity varied from 333 to 387 μs cm-1; Total Alkalinity varied from 121 to147 mg L-1; Chloride values ranged from 15.3 to 23.30 mg L-1; Total Hardness ranged from 121 to 186 mg L-1; Ammonical Nitrogen varied from 49.21 to 70.84 μg L-1; Nitrate Nitrogen varied from 130.3 to 166.2 μg L-1 Nitrite Nitrogen ranged from 2.87 to 21.49 μg L-1; and Phosphate Phosphorous ranged from 1.54 to 16.16 μg L-1. Almost all the above parameters show that the pollution load is increasing due to anthropogenic pressure and climatic factors which results the eutrophic condition of the lake, so immediate remedial measures should be taken for its protection from further pollution.