ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE BHANDAM CHERUVU, WITH REFERENCE TO ITS PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT-A CASE STUDY OF RAPID EUTROFICATION

*P. Gowri

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of human activities on the eutrophication process of a lake by examining various physico-chemical parameters of the water, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total hardness, magnesium (Mg²⁺), phosphates, nitrates, carbonates, and bicarbonates. Located near a city, the lake has been observed to be polluted due to multiple anthropogenic sources. The research monitored seasonal variations in these physico-chemical parameters over a one-year period, from June 2023 to May 2024, at four distinct sampling locations across the lake. Notable variations in heavy metal concentrations were detected before and after the immersion of Ganesh idols during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Overall, the findings clearly indicate that the lake is eutrophicated, as most of the physico-chemical parameters exhibited high values. This study underscores the lake's status as a eutrophic zone, largely resulting from various human activities.

Keywords: Physico-Chemical Parameters, Seasonal Variation, Eutrophication.