EVALUATION OF SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF LAKE WATER-THE STUDY OF A PERRINIAL FRESHWATER LAKE

P. Gowri*

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the physico-chemical characteristics of Hasanparthy Lake water, it is located in the Hasanparthy village of Warangal district in Telangana State. The study was conducted over a period from February 2021 to January 2022. Water samples were systematically collected from four collection sites and the mixed composite water samples of the lake water was analyzed using standardized laboratory methods. The findings revealed the variations in several parameters across different seasons within the lake. The parameters examined included Water Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Chlorides, Sulphates, and Phosphates. Water Temperature exhibited seasonal variability, peaking at 29.5±2.05˚C during summer and dipping to 24.8±6.37˚C in winter. The pH levels reached a maximum of 8.07±0.19 in summer and a minimum of 7.12±1.66 in winter. Turbidity was highest in winter at 59.27±36.51 NTU, while the lowest was observed during the rainy season at 17.95±0.22 NTU. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were most elevated in winter (85.6±0.30 mg/L) and lowest in summer (13.43±28.37 mg/L). Electrical Conductivity (EC) recorded values of 487.5±63.5 μmhos/cm during summer and 411±99.13 μmhos/cm in winter. Total Alkalinity reached its peak in summer at 139.2±12.8 mg/L and fell to 90.4±23.00 mg/L during the winter season. Total Hardness was highest in summer (106.2±20.4 mg/L) and lowest during the rainy season (83.5±5.40 mg/L). Dissolved Oxygen levels were recorded at 8.27±0.72 mg/L in summer, while the lowest value was noted during the rainy season at 5.2±0.78 mg/L. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) was measured at 3.42±0.25 mg/L in summer, compared to 2.87±0.81 mg/L in winter. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values were highest during the rainy season at 8.97±0.14 mg/L and recorded at 7.17±0.85 mg/L in summer. Chloride concentrations were 77.35±4.38 mg/L in summer, with a minimum of 72.80±1.94 mg/L in winter. Sulphate levels were recorded as 5.82±0.43 mg/L during rainy season and 4.77±0.68 mg/L in summer. Phosphate concentrations peaked in the rainy season at 3.6±0.30 mg/L and were at their lowest in summer at 2.27±0.33 mg/L. The seasonal variations of these water quality parameters, along with the potential factors contributing to their fluctuations, are discussed in light of contemporary literature on aquatic biology.

Keywords: Physico-chemical parameters, Seasonal variation, Freshwater Lake.