International Journal for Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation ISSN: 0975 — 6272 XI (SP2): 155 — 177 www.essence-journal.com Original Research Article Assessment of Lake Water Quality by using Trophic State Index Indicators Parameters for Ecological Lake Restoration- a Case Study of Bhimtal Lake, Kumoun Region, Uttrakhand, India Shrivastava, Naresh Gopal Pollution Control Research Institute, BHEL, Ranipur, Haridwar, Uttrakahand Corresponding Author: [email protected] A R T I C L E I N F O Received: 03 July 2020 | Accepted: 15 August 2020 | Published Online: 30 September 2020 EOI: 10.11208/essence.20.11.SP2.141 Article is an Open Access Publication. This work is licensed under Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) ©The Authors (2020). Publishing Rights @ MANU—ICMANU and ESSENCE—IJERC. A B S T R A C T Till date number of incentivization of Lakes, Reservoirs and wetland have been done by the number of agencies but the information is lacking on Water Quality of Lakes, Reservoirs and Wetlands with reference to eutrophication status of these inland water bodies in India. Due to the unavailability of the scientific database on Lake Water Quality, a proper conservation plan cannot be prepared. This study has been undertaken for the incentivization of Lake Water Quality with reference to Eutrophication Status of Bhimtal Lakes, located at latitudes 290’20”36.96” N’’ and longitude 79038’48.96” E. and prepared of a conservation plan for restoration of Bhimtal Lake Water Quality. The four water chemistry parameters to determine the water body’s trophic state: total chlorophyll, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and Transparency (water clarity). These four parameters serve as indicators of a water body’s biological productivity — its ability to support life. Biological productivity is not measured directly hence word indicator is applied. Results revealed that the concentration of important parameters that mainly govern the catchment area characteristics was found above to the threshold level of eutrophication. By perusing the results of Trophic Index results of trophic state index indicate that Bhimtal Lake is in a higher stage of Mesotrophic due to high nutrients loading through uncontrolled disposal of domestic waste from the catchment area K E Y W O R D S Bhimtal Lake | Tophic State Index | Eutrophication | Lake Restoration C I T A T I O N Shrivastava, Naresh Gopal (2020): Assessment of Lake Water Quality by using Trophic State Index Indicators Parameters for Ecological Lake Restoration- a Case Study of Bhimtal Lake, Kumoun Region, Uttrakhand, India. ESSENCE Int. J. Env. Rehab. Conserv. XI (SP2): 155 — 177. https://eoi.citefactor.org/10.11208/essence.20.11.SP2.141 155 ESSENCE—IJERC | Shrivastava, (2020) | XI (SP2): 155 — 177 Introduction degradation differs. The degradation itself could Water is one of the foremost abundant substances also be a result of a scarcity of public awareness. on earth. It covers approximately 71% of the Things are changing but slowly. This is often globe's surface with the majority held by oceans. thanks to the shortage of availability of it's estimated that 97% of the whole quantity of environmental databases on these lakes and water is within the oceans and only 3% is fresh reservoirs in India. Environmental activism and water. However, only a little portion of the legal interventions have put the sustainability of freshwater is out there to humans, animals, and lakes and reservoirs within the vanguard of plants. Most of the three freshwater supplies are environmental issues. held frozen in polar ice caps. The freshwater in The foremost environmental issue related to lakes, rivers, and groundwater is simply 0.3% of lakes and reservoir is Eutrophication. Through. the whole freshwater source of the planet which introduction of nutrients from agricultural run-off uses for drinking (10%), industry (21%), and and untreated industrial and concrete discharges agriculture (69%). cause Eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs Lakes, water reservoirs, and streams are the which also enhanced degradation process. foremost valuable source of beverage for the Accelerated eutrophication of lakes and earth's population. The livelihood of the citizenry reservoirs, experienced during this century in and a couple of other living components depends most parts of the earth represents a big upon natural lakes for beverage and agriculture degradation of water quality. Impairment of and industrial activities. However, the lakes and water quality because of eutrophication can cause reservoirs have special characteristics, which health-related problems and end in economic make them vulnerable to pollution and losses. degradation. The input of organic contaminants Many problems originate from the event of from different sources may end within the activities. Agricultural growth, including the alteration of water quality. event of irrigation and drainage systems and thus Till the Ramsar Conventions, There is no specific the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, definition for Lakes in India. because water cleaning of forests, and thus the development of bodies described as – natural, manmade, and factories. Human settlements in lake and ephemeral including wetlands. Many of them are reservoir watersheds, often cause eutrophication euphemistically called Lakes more by convention of the lakes and reservoirs. and a desire to be grandiose rather than by the Proper planning and management of the appliance of an accepted definition. the opposite associated watershed are required for control of way around, many lakes are categorized as eutrophication or restoration of eutrophic lakes wetlands. and reservoirs generally, man-made factors India has many manmade water bodies located in increased eutrophication through the elimination typical of the tropics. The Reservoirs, Ponds, and or reduction of nutrient supplies from different Tanks are manmade (artificial) water bodies sources, like municipal and industrial though it's a commonplace. While it's difficult wastewater, agricultural wastes and fertilizers, thus far the natural lakes, most of the manmade etc. However, in most cases, it's impossible to water bodies like Ponds and Tanks are historical. eliminate all sources of nutrients. Therefore, it is The huge reservoirs are all of the recent origins. vital to understand the connection which exists Most without any exception have impacted between the nutrient supplies and thus the degree environmental degradation. Only the degree of of eutrophication. this data is vital to develop 156 ESSENCE—IJERC | Shrivastava, (2020) | XI (SP2): 155 — 177 sound management strategies to manage the different authors viz. (Parikh and Mankodi eutrophication of lakes or reservoirs at minimum 2012), (Patil et al. 2012), (Hashem et al. 2012), costs. (Hashemzadeh and Venkataramana 2012), (Safari et al., 2012), (Kumar et al., 2013) and To date, efforts were made during a scattered (Mankodi, 2013). aside from surface water manner and not during a scientific manner on bodies, Physico-chemical and microbiological Water Quality of Lakes, Reservoirs, and characterization of subsurface water were Wetlands in India. The available data has not reported by several authors (Parihar et al., 2012), been compiled/available which may help (Nirmala, 2012). In line with the wise use of different government agencies to make a resources, Lake Gahar Basin was assessed as a conservation plan for these water bodies. Very possible site for focused ecotourism by limited action plans are available and executed (Mehranoosh, 2012). which are being delayed. This might be due to the non-availability of the Limnological Surface water quality during a region is conditions of these water bodies. essentially determined both by natural processes and by anthropogenic inputs. The anthropogenic Organic pollution and nutrient enrichment are discharges constitute a continuing polluting one among the foremost significant and source, whereas surface runoff may be a seasonal widespread water quality issues. thanks to phenomenon, largely suffering from climate demographic pressure and rapid urbanization within the basin (Singh, et al., 2004), (Vega, around the water bodies, eutrophication has 1998). Land erosion within the lake catchment become a standard problem in freshwater not only affects the physical and chemical ecosystems. A gradual increase in water properties of soils but also enriched the lake eutrophication is the biggest problem of the water with nutrients (Upadhyay et al., 2012). governments and therefore the public in recent For any urban water body, the expansion of the years. This because of the reason that the habitation around the lake vicinity without a mechanisms of water eutrophication are not fully correct sewerage system further exaggerates understood, but excessive nutrient loading into organic and nutrient loading within the lake. the surface water system is considered to be one Inline thereupon hydrochemical changes also are among the main factors (Fang et al. 2004, Tong found in lakes thanks to the immersion of idols et al. 2003). Many freshwater lakes undergo and non-secular offerings which are common in eutrophication with the increasing input of India (Dhote and Dixit, 2011). Thus, point and nutrients (Zang 2008). Certain chemicals, like non-point sources both are liable for the nitrogen, phosphorus play the most role in degradation of the water quality of the limnetic distorting aquatic ecosystems by