Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences ISSN: 2249-8656 (Online), ISSN: 2348-9545 (Print) Volume 8, Issue 1 www.stmjournals.com Physicochemical Analysis of Kollidam River, Tamil Nadu, India G. Ambedkar1,*, M. Muniyan2 1PG and Research Department of Biotechnology, Sri Vinayaga College of Arts and Science, Ulundurpet, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Zoology, Periyar Arts College, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract The present study was conducted in the time period of one year (January 2011–December 2011) with an aim to find out the physicochemical nature of water at three different sites of Kollidam River in order to analysis the physical properties and chemical nature of its water and the impact of sites on their concentration. Three sites were selected for the study purpose and the samples were collected on monthly basis. The samples thus collected were processed for the detection of physicochemical with their relative concentrations following the standard methods. It was observed that the concentration of this physicochemical was varying with respect to the collection sites, so was the case with respect to its physical nature. Keywords: Physicochemical, water, concentration, Kollidam River *Author for Correspondence E-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION agricultural land to the coastal region. It is for Water quality is determined by the all this reason that the River water is mostly physical, chemical and biological factors of enriched in nutrients compared to other water that influence the beneficial use of the environments [2]. water. Water quality is important in water supply, irrigation, fish production, recreation The spatial heterogeneity within the river, and other purposes to which the water must however, is due to existing local have been impounded. Water quality environmental conditions such as light, deterioration in reservoirs usually comes from temperature, water discharge and flow velocity excessive nutrient inputs, eutrophication, that change with time and differences in the acidification, heavy metal contamination, lakes and river. Contrary to this, the coastal organic pollution and obnoxious fishing environments are highly economical, practices [1]. The use of the physicochemical important and are significantly involved in the properties of water to assess water quality transport of terrestrial organic matter and gives a good impression of the status, associated nutrient elements to the river for productivity and sustainability of such water their biogeochemical cycling [3]. The balance body. The changes in physical characteristics in the concentrations of biogeogenic elements like temperature, turbidity, total dissolved in river water reflects the healthy status of solids, electrical conductivity, pH, alkalinity, water, while their excess supply as observed in total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, the continental shelf and upwelling areas has magnesium, iron, manganese, free ammonia, been found to trigger high primary nitrite, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, sulphate and productivity. The present study was taken into phosphate provide valuable information on the consideration in which an attempt was made to quality of the water, the sources of the access the water quality of Kollidam River. variations and their impacts on the functions The study would be helpful in formulating and biodiversity of the River. Rivers are the control strategy in near future. main inland water resources for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes and often MATERIALS AND METHODS carry large municipal sewage, industrial waste The water samples from three sites of the water discharges and seasonal run-off from Kollidam River were collected on monthly RRJoLS (2018) 11-15 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 11 Physicochemical Analysis of Kollidam River Ambedkar and Muniyan basis and were analyzed for detection of of measurement [5]. The present study shows concentration of inorganic substances the elevated level of electrical conductivity followed by standard methods [4]. The 1125 Mics/cm in the station 3 and minimum samples were collected in plastic containers; level of electrical conductivity 450 Mics/cm which were cleaned with dilute nitric acid and was observed in the station 2 of Kollidam rinsed several times with tap water, and finally River. The average level of electrical rinsed once with sample water and finally conductivity 720 Mics/cm was observed in the collected from the habitat. The samples were station 1 of Kollidam River. stored in a refrigerator. Samples were preserved and analyzed by adopting the pH is an important parameter which is procedures outlined by standard methods for important in evaluation the acid base balance various parameters [4]. 2 l of water samples of water. The present study shows that the were collected in these containers and the maximum level of pH 8 was recorded in the in physicochemical parameters were tested at the station 3 and minimum pH 7 was observed Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage in the station 2 of Kollidam River. The Board (TWAD) Cuddalore. average level of pH 7.8 was observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The present study determined the The alkalinity of natural waters is primarily physicochemical properties of water at three due to the salts of weak acids, although weak different sites of Kollidam River from January or strong bases may also contribute. 2011–December 2011. The present study Bicarbonate represents the major form of shows the maximum level of temperature as alkalinity with that carbonate and hydroxide 30°C in station 3 and minimum level of alkalinity is also there. The present study temperature 26°C was observed in the shows that the maximum level of alkalinity station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level 2 mg/l was observed in the in the station 3 and of temperature 27°C was observed in the minimum level of alkalinity 0.02 mg/l was station 1 of Kollidam River. The clarity of observed in the station 2 of Kollidam River. natural body of water is an important The average level of alkalinity 1 mg/l was determinant of its condition and productivity. observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. Turbidity in water is caused by suspended and colloidal matter such as clay, silt, finely The present study shows the maximum level of divided organic and inorganic matter, and total alkalinity 206 mg/l in the station 3 and plankton and other microscopic organisms. minimum level of total alkalinity 73 mg/l was The present study shows the highest level of observed in the station 2 of Kollidam River. The turbidity 4 NT units in the station 3 and lowest average level of total alkalinity 116 mg/l was level of turbidity 2 NT units was observed in observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. the station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level of Turbidity 3.5 NT units was observed Hardness of water is an important in the station 1 of Kollidam River. The present consideration in determining the suitability of study shows the highest level of total dissolved water for domestic and industrial uses. solids (TDS) 788 in the station 3 and lowest Hardness is caused by multivalent metallic level of total dissolved solids (TDS) 315 was cations and with certain anions present in the observed in the station 2 of Kollidam River. water to form scale. The principal hardness- The average level of total dissolved solids causing cations are the divalent calcium, (TDS) 504 was observed in the station 1 of magnesium, strontium, ferrous iron and Kollidam River. manganese ions. The present study shows the maximum level of total hardness 200 mg/l in Electrical conductivity is a measure of the the station 3 and minimum level of total ability of an aqueous solution to carry an hardness 160 mg/l was observed in the electric current. This ability depends on the station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level presence of ions on their total concentration, of total hardness 164 mg/l was observed in the mobility and valence and on the temperature station 1 of Kollidam River. RRJoLS (2018) 11-15 © STM Journals 2018. All Rights Reserved Page 12 Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences Volume 8, Issue 1 ISSN: 2249-8656 (Online), ISSN: 2348-9545 (Print) The present study shows the maximum level in the station 2 of Kollidam River. The of calcium 53 mg/l in the station 3 and average level of manganese 0.03 mg/l was minimum level of calcium 40 mg/l was observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. observed in the station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level of calcium 45 mg/l was The present study shows the maximum level observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. of ammonia 0.72 mg/l in the station 3 and minimum level of ammonia 0.02 mg/l was The present study shows the maximum level observed in the station 2 of Kollidam River. of magnesium 25 mg/l in the station 3 and The average level of ammonia 0.45 mg/l was minimum magnesium 16 mg/l was observed in observed in the station 1 of Kollidam River. the station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level of magnesium 21 mg/l was observed in The present study shows the maximum level the station 1 of Kollidam River. of nitrite 0.56 mg/l in the station 3 and minimum nitrite 0.20 mg/l was observed in the The present study shows the maximum level station 2 of Kollidam River. The average level of iron 0.40 mg/l in the station 3 and minimum of nitrite 0.46 mg/l was observed in the iron 0.28 mg/l was observed in the station 2 of station 1 of Kollidam River. Kollidam River. The average level of iron 0.30 mg/l was observed in the station 1 of The present study shows the maximum level Kollidam River.