International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 9 Limnological studies of Narsinh Mehta Lake of Junagadh District in Gujarat, IndiaKhwaja Salahuddin1*, Soni Virendra, Visavadia Manish, Gosai Chirag2 and Syed Mohammad Zofair3 1*Department of Botany, Bahauddin Science College, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, INDIA 2 Department of Zoology, Bahauddin Science College, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, INDIA Dept. of Harvest and Post Harvest Technology, College of Fisheries, Junagadh Agricultural University, Veraval, Gujarat, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 20th February 2013, revised 27th March 2013, accepted 25th April 2013 AbstractThe present study was carried out for ascertaining the quality of water for the purpose of the conservation of Narsinh Mehta Lake of Junagadh. Several physicochemical parameters such as pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, chloride content, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxyen demand (BOD) were meticulously observed in different seasons for the year 2012. The dissolved oxygen was found to be the highest (7.8 mgl-1) and the lowest (6.4 mgl-1) in winter and summer season, respectively. Likewise, Biochemical oxygen demand was recorded to be the lowest (15.20 mgl-1) and the highest (25.67 mgl-1) in monsoon season and summer season, respectively. DO showed negative correlation ( r = - 0.71 ) with BOD. Water quality index was estimated and its value was found in the range of 169.93 to 256.97 in monsoon and summer season, respectively which indicated much pollution in the lake. The result indicated the lake was getting polluted due to continuous discharge of certain junk materials, debri of construction works and human interference affecting the quality of aquatic life. Keywords: Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, water quality. Introduction Junagadh, a historical town of Gujarat (India), boasts of Girnar mountain and several water bodies including lakes. Narsinh Mehta Lake is situated in the heart of town witnessing enough anthropogenic pressure. The deterioration in water quality of this lake is increasingly high in recent past. Water is one of the most important natural resources in the world since without it life can’t exist. Essentially, all life depends upon the water for being a major component of living organisms and an elixir of life. It is one of the most important commodities which man has exploited than any other resource for the sustenance of his life according to Kumar. Water pollution has now reached a critical point especially in developing world. Almost every water body is polluted to an alarming level. Aquatic ecosystem is not only source of water and resources such as fish and crop for household and agro industrial uses, but also a vital part of natural environment for the survival which was observed by Singh . Thus, estimation of quality of water is extremely important for proper assessment of the associated hazards. Due to increase in population and over exploitation of fresh water resources and waste water disposal, the direct or indirect modifications and alterations in creating the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water have occurred profound and deleterious effects on human health and the environment as well. Water is most indispensable requirement for all living organisms and any alterations in water may lead to the issue of survival for these organisms. Water maintained by several physicochemical factors and any decrease or increase cause the death of organisms as reported by Shastri . Water quality and the risk to waterborne diseases are critical public health concerns in many developing countries today. Water gets polluted by the discharge of large amounts of organic substances directly or indirectly and willingly or unwillingly affecting human beings in particular and environment in general as narrated by Mudgal. Water quality is critical public health concern in India. Thus the provision of safe and adequate water contributes to better health and increased individual productivity. All forms of life are based on the requirement of water. It is one of the most important commodities which man has exploited than any other resource for the sustain of his life. These physicochemical characteristics in many ways have significant influence and impact on aquatic life according to Garg. The dissolved oxygen is of great importance to all the living organisms and is considered to be the sole parameter which to a large extent can reveal the nature of whole water body. Eutrophic water bodies have a wide range of dissolved oxygen and as such oligotrophic water bodies have narrow range of dissolved oxygen as described by Patil and Patil. Material and Methods Narsinh Mehta Lake is situated in the middle of Junagadh town which is adjacent to Arabian sea. (figure 1 and 2). The river Kalwa is the main source of water for the Lake. Water flowing International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 10 from Kalwa river is diverted to this lake in monsoon season when Wellington dam overflows. It maintains water and water level of surrounding areas throughout the year. Morphometric features of the lake were noted (table 1). Water samples were taken in plastic bottles in triplicates and analysed onsite and offsite for selected physicochemical parameters such as pH, alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, chloride content, dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). pH was conducted onsite while the total hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, chloride, dissolved oxygen and BOD were analysed in the laboratory after the samples were properly transported using a pre-cleaned 1 L plastic containers in an ice box. All analyses were done as per NEERI and APHA (table-2). A correlation matrix of different physicochemical characteristics was incorporated (table-3). Water quality index is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of different water quality parameters on the overall quality of water. WQI was calculated by Weighted Arithmatical Index method. WQI =  = n n n n nWnWnq 1 1 Where, qn = 100 [V - Vio]/ (S - V10)], q = Quality rating for the nth water quality parameter, V = estimated value of the nthparameter at a given sampling station, S = standard permissible value of nth parameter, Vio = ideal value of nth parameter in pure water. ( pH = 7, DO = 14 mg/l and for other parameter = 0), = unit weight for nth parameter, S = standard value for nth parameter, K = constant for Proportionality. Figure-1 Map showing Narsinh Mehta lake of Junagadh Table-1 Morphometric features of Narsinh Mehta Lake 1 Longitude 70 0 30 “ 2 Latitude 21 0 25 “ 3 Altitude 107 m 4 Average rainfall 75 cm 5 Surface area of Lake 85500 m 2 6 Maximum depth 10 m 7 Average depth 5 m 8 Maximum length 450 m 9 Maximum width 210 m 10 Mean width 190 m International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 11 Figure-2 Exact location of Narsinh Mehta lake of Junagadh Table-2 Physicochemical parameters and their methodologyS.No. Parameters Unit Methodology 1 pH ----- Digital electrode pH Meter 2 Alkalinity mgl - 1 Titrimetry with H 2 SO 4 3 Total hardness mgl - 1 Titrimetry with EDTA 4 Total Dissolved Solids mgl - 1 TDS Method 5 Chloride mgl - 1 Argentometric method 6 Dissolved Oxygen mgl - 1 Winkler’s method 7 BOD mgl - 1 BOD 5 method Results and Discussion The pH of the water is directly proportional to temperature of water. The range of pH was found to be between 8.90 and 8.24 in summer and winter season, respectively. The greater pH may be caused due to increase in dissolved oxygen produced as a result of photosynthesis as proposed by Wetzel. The pH is directly dependent on the amount of CO2 present and inversely proportional to the activity of photosynthesis as opined by Sharma and Sarang9 (figure 3)The amount pH was negatively correlated with DO ( r = - 1.00). The amount of alkalinity is dependent on the nature of materials discharged in lake as per Mishra . It was found to be the highest (350.5 mgl-1) and the lowest (309.78 mgl-1) during monsoon and winter season, respectively (figure 4). High value of total Hardness indicated the greater productivity and surge in eutrophication of water body. Hard and alkaline water may be attributed to high planktonic growth to some extent as observed by Sujitha10. Maximum value (653.98 mg l-1 ) of hardness was recorded during summer season but Its lowest value ( 456.87 mgl-1 ) was found to be during monsoon season (figure 5). Total hardness was positively correlated with pH (r = + 0.65). The total dissolved solids (TDS) is the sum of the cations and anions concentration. A high content of solids elevates the density of water, reduces solubility of gases like oxygen and mitigates the utility of water for drinking, irrigation and other purposes. TDS was found to be highest 292.83 mgl-1) during monsoon season and the lowest (228.33mgl-1) was reported in winter season (figure 6).TDS values was positively correlated with total alkalinity (r = + 0.91). Organic waste of animal origin was found to have high chloride content. Sindhu and Sharma11 opined the chloride content which indicated domestic as well as industrial pollution. The increase in chloride concentration is an indication of growing anthropogenic pressure chloride in water is generally due to salts of sodium, potassium and calcium. Low level of chloride at various sites indicated least human interference. Chloride International Research Journal of Environment Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) International Science Congress Association content was found to be the highest (180.98 mgl season but rapidly decreased as the winter started approaching (figure 7). Chloride contents was negatively correlated wi ( r = - 1.00). Dissolved oxygen is the term commonly used in liquid analytical work for the measurement of the amount of oxygen dissolved in a unit volume of water. It is an important indicator of the degree of usefulness of a sample of water for a application as described by Abowei12. Dissolved oxygen fluctuated in the range of 6.4 mgl-1 to7.8 mgl was negatively correlated with BOD (r = - 0.71). Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as the amount of oxygen required b y bacteria while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic condition. The range of BOD was found to be from 15.2 mg l-1 to 25.67 mg l monsoon season, respectively. The comparison of BOD and DO in the present study indicated that there was an inverse relationship between both parameters as mentioned by Iqbal (figure 9). In the present study the value of Water Quality Index (WQI) was found to be highest (256.57) in summer season. Its value further decreased in winter (190.05) an d monsoon ( seasons, respectively. Prashar14 described the WQI limit for Correlation matrix of physico Parameters pH TDS pH 0.00 - TDS 0.41 0.00 D.O. -1.00 -0.44 B.O.D. 0.74 -0.32 Total alkalinity 0.00 0.91 Total hardness 0.65 -0.43 Chloride 1.00 0.48 Variation in the values of pH in different seasons  \n \r Environment Sciences_______________ _________________________ International Science Congress Association content was found to be the highest (180.98 mgl -1) in summer season but rapidly decreased as the winter started approaching Chloride contents was negatively correlated wi th DO Dissolved oxygen is the term commonly used in liquid analytical work for the measurement of the amount of oxygen dissolved in a unit volume of water. It is an important indicator of the degree of usefulness of a sample of water for a specific Dissolved oxygen to7.8 mgl -1 (figure 8). DO 0.71). Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as the amount y bacteria while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic condition. The range of BOD was mg l -1 in summer and monsoon season, respectively. The comparison of BOD and DO there was an inverse relationship between both parameters as mentioned by Iqbal 13 In the present study the value of Water Quality Index (WQI) was found to be highest (256.57) in summer season. Its value d monsoon ( 169. 93) described the WQI limit for water, if it is 0 – 25 then water quality is excellent, its values ranged between 26 – 50 showed good water quality, 51 indicated poor water quality, 76– 100 indicated of water and 100 and above indicated water is unsuitable for drinking purposes. Present study indicated very poor water quality (WQI 69.10 to 124.03 ) in different seasons and so unsuitable for drinking purposes (figure 10) Various physicochemical parameters were found to be within permissible limit as per BIS . Suthar and reported WQI values ranged between 189.48 192.47 – 356.36 and 175.03 – 292.84 during summer, monsoon and winter season, respec tively indicating unsuitability of water for drinking purpose. He asserted the best water quality in winter followed by summer and monsoon season. The present investigation agreed with them and reported similar findings. Toman16 also reported WQI values 5 a reservoir. He concluded that the water was safe for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes. A step must be taken to stop ingress of organic pollutants so that the organic load is minimized and resources can be recovered a sustainable way. It is recommended that anthropogenic activity must be reduced in Lake. Materials like wheat, rice, milk, oil, and flowers etc. should be prohibited from mixing in lake water. Table-3 Correlation matrix of physico chemical parameters at Narsinh Mehta Lake DO BOD Total alkalinity Total hardness - - - - - 0.00 - -0.71 0.00 - -0.04 -0.67 0.00 -0.62 0.99 -0.76 -1.00 0.68 0.08 Figure-3 Variation in the values of pH in different seasons \n \r  \r _________________________ ______ ISSN 2319–1414 Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 12 25 then water quality is excellent, its values 50 showed good water quality, 51 – 75 100 indicated very poor quality of water and 100 and above indicated water is unsuitable for drinking purposes. Present study indicated very poor water ) in different seasons and so unsuitable for drinking purposes (figure 10) . physicochemical parameters were found to be within . Suthar 15 studied WQI in the river and reported WQI values ranged between 189.48 - 329.00, 292.84 during summer, monsoon tively indicating unsuitability of water for drinking purpose. He asserted the best water quality in winter followed by summer and monsoon season. The present investigation agreed with them and reported similar findings. also reported WQI values 5 8.60, 67.92 and 69.63 from a reservoir. He concluded that the water was safe for drinking, A step must be taken to stop ingress of organic pollutants so that the organic load is minimized and resources can be recovered in a sustainable way. It is recommended that anthropogenic activity must be reduced in Lake. Materials like wheat, rice, milk, oil, and flowers etc. should be prohibited from mixing in chemical parameters at Narsinh Mehta Lake Total hardness Chloride - - - - - -- - - - - 0.00 - 0.59 0.00 International Research Journal of Environment Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) International Science Congress Association Variation in the values of Total alkalinity Variation in the values of Total hardness in different seasons  \n \r  \n \r Environment Sciences_______________ _________________________ International Science Congress Association Figure-4 Variation in the values of Total alkalinity in different seasons Figure-5 Variation in the values of Total hardness in different seasons  \r   \r _________________________ ______ ISSN 2319–1414 Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 13 International Research Journal of Environment Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) International Science Congress Association Variation in the values of TDS in different seasons Variation in the values of chloride  \n \r  \n \r Environment Sciences_______________ _________________________ International Science Congress Association Figure-6 Variation in the values of TDS in different seasons Figure-7 Variation in the values of chloride in different seasons   \r  \r _________________________ ______ ISSN 2319–1414 Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 14 International Research Journal of Environment Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) International Science Congress Association Variation in the values of DO in differe Variation in the values of BOD in different seasons Variation in the values WQI in different seasons at Narsinh Mehta Lake  \n \r  \n \r  \n \r Environment Sciences_______________ _________________________ International Science Congress Association Figure-8 Variation in the values of DO in differe nt seasons Figure-9 Variation in the values of BOD in different seasons Figure-10 Variation in the values WQI in different seasons at Narsinh Mehta Lake   \r \n \r  \r \n \r  \r _________________________ ______ ISSN 2319–1414 Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 15 Variation in the values WQI in different seasons at Narsinh Mehta Lake International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(5), 9-16, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 16 ConclusionIt was concluded that anthropogenic pressure was found to be maximum at this lake resulting into loss of water quality to a greater extent. The contents of chloride, total dissolved solids and biochemical oxygen demand were exceptionally large which clearly showed greater level of eutrophication at this water body. The seasonal variations of all physicochemical parameters were not in harmony of good water quality of this lake. Maximum dissolved oxygen was noticed in winter season which was reciprocal to the value of biochemical oxygen demand. Water quality index was found to be maximum in summer season which declined progressively in winter and monsoon thereafter, indicating that water of the lake was unsuitable for aquatic organism. It is recommended to prohibit all antropogenic activities from polluting the aesthetic beauty of Narsinh Mahta lake. 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