Environmental Integrity of the Tamiraparani River Basin, South India

Abstract

Monitoring the surface run-off and physicochemical parameters of a river on a regular basis provides valuable information on the eco-hydrologic conditions of the river basin. The resultant data provide valuable insights into spatial and temporal variation on water quality, considered as a measure of the health of a river. The physicochemical characteristics of any aquatic ecosystem and the nature and distribution of its biota are directly related to and influenced by each other and controlled by a multiplicity of natural regulatory mechanisms. The River Tamiraparani, a perennial river in southern India was studied for comprehensive environmental issues. The major ion chemistry and nutrients of the studied samples show seasonal and spatial variations, under the predominant influence of geogenic (natural weathering) and to certain extent, lesser influence of anthropogenic sources. Application of various geochemical indices (SAR, RSC, PI, PS and Na %) and plots revealed that, a majority of the samples (90 %) are within the permissible limits of the domestic and agricultural usages. The occurrences of organochlorine compounds in the studied samples suggest influx from agricultural activities.