Water Quality Assessment of Some Freshwater Bodies Supporting Vegetation in and Around Chandigarh (India), Using Multivariate Statistical Methods

Abstract

An increasing trend in water pollution of freshwater bodies through anthropogenic means is evident, and its impact is turning freshwater unsuitable for human consumption. In addition to physicochemical nature of such water, presence of the type of vegetation has been significant in labeling such bodies for different levels of pollution. Physicochemical parameters include important criteria like temperature, free carbon dioxide (CO2), turbidity, total alkalinity, electrical conductivity, nitrate etc., which provide an idea for the portability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes. In this investigation, eight water bodies (76∘46′45.96″ E, 30∘44′01.19″ N) have been studied and categorized into different water quality indices as per permissible limits of WHO, ICMR, and ISI standards. The values of water quality index (WQI) at water bodies (ponds) S1–S8 were 46.12, 56.90, 79.96, 103.31, 120.39, 14.53, 29.47, and 30.58 respectively, which clearly indicated anthropogenic activities to different levels. The water bodies S1–S5 could be categorized as “D–E”, and water at S6–S8 as “A–B” as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied to classify the water bodies into four different categories which produced the same results as WQI. Agglomerative cluster analysis (CA) was performed for delineating and grouping the similar pollution causing areas. The parameters like free CO2, turbidity, total alkalinity, electrical conductivity and TDS were higher in Eichhornia crassipes infested water bodies than the one supporting growth of a stonewort (Chara corallina). Management strategies to save water from deterioration should be focused accordingly, keeping in view this information gathered.