QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF LIMNOLOGICAL FACTORS OF THE PERENNIAL LENTIC WATER BODIES OF DISTRICT DHANBAD, JHARKHAND BY USING WATER QUALITY INDEX

Sharmila Kumari* and Shailendra Kumar Sinha

ABSTRACT

In the present study an endeavour has been made to assess the physico- chemical properties of Pandey Pond and Karbala Pond of district Dhanbad, Jharkhand, during November 2020 to October 2021. A total of twelve parameters were analysed according to standard methods of APHA. Water Quality Index is a mathematical approach, used to assess the water quality status and determine whether the water is fit for drinking or not. Physical and chemical parameters, including Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Alkalinity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Calcium (Ca+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl-), and Nitrate (NO3-) were analysed to calculate the Water Quality Index with reference to standards given by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO). According to calculated WQI, 61.86 for Pandey Pond (S1), shows poor quality status and cannot be used for drinking and other domestic purposes without treatment. 78.58 for Karbala Pond (S2) shows very poor-quality status as per water quality index rating.

Keywords: Alkalinity, Physico-chemical, Conductivity, Water Quality Index.