Hydrochemical investigation of open well and river water samples of Thuthapuzha Sub-basin of Bharathapuzha, Kerala, was carried out to determine the spatial and temporal variations in the physico-chemical parameters. The suitability of water for drinking and irrigation purposes and the processes controlling the water chemistry were also assessed. The study area experiences a humid tropical climate and heavy rainfall of ~ 3830 mm/year. Thirty-five open well and nine river water samples were collected during the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The chemical properties of the river water samples were dominated by alkaline earths and weak acids (CaHCO 3 type). Even though majority of the open well samples belonged to CaHCO 3 type, few samples belonged to NaCl, mixed CaMgCl and mixed CaNaHCO 3 water type. The groundwater and river water chemistry of the region was influenced by the chemistry of the host rock rather than precipitation and evaporation. Except pH and the total iron concentration, all other physico-chemical parameters of the open well samples of the study area were within the acceptable limit of drinking purposes. The physico-chemical parameters of the entire river water samples were within the acceptable limit for drinking purpose. The entire open well and river water samples were suitable for irrigation purposes.
Pookode, the freshwater lake in the Western Ghats, is a well-known tourist place in southern India, and human interference has turned the otherwise serene environment into a polluted one. This paper discusses the geochemical and textural characteristics of the Pookode lake and by determining the sedimentation rate, an attempt is made to predict the useful life of the lake. The predominance of mud fraction and high organic matter content in sediments favour the accumulation of heavy metals as indicated by the different indices. The sedimentation rate was determined using 137Cs dating method and the maximum lifespan of the lake maintaining its hydrological and ecological functions is estimated as ~700 years.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.