Geospatial Water Quality Analysis of Downstream of Tamiraparani River – Tamilnadu
Abstract
A physicochemical analysis of River Tamiraparani was carried out to determine critical environmental issues using GIS mapping techniques. A large proportion of water is used for power generation and intense agricultural activities, mostly paddy is grown in the river banks. It is the only drinking water source for the entire Tirunelveli. The present study aimed at application of GIS techniques to understand the spatial distribution pattern of important water quality parameters with ArcMap 10.2.1. Water samples were collected and analysed following standard methods from 11 different locations covering the stretch from Authoor to Punnakayal during November 2020. A comprehensive physicochemical assessment of 10 indicator parameters namely conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphate, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), sodium and potassium were carried out. The results showed that all the parameter apart from alkalinity exceeded the permissible limits specified by World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 2012. It was found that the first three locations (Authoor, Mukkani and Sertnthapoomangalam) met the specified drinking water standards because there is no such sea water intrusion happened. It is found that Kailasapuram that is the 4 sampling location onwards the concentration of TDS varies in the range of 19,600-27,650 mg/l, conductivity is in the range of 40,000-48,000 µs/cm, hardness is in the range of 1,500-4,200 mg/l, chloride is in the range of 12,000-17,000 mg/l, calcium varies in the range of 300-435 mg/l, magnesium is in the range of 800-1100 mg/l, sulphate is in the range of 1300-1600 mg/l, sodium is in the range of 6000-9,000 mg/l and potassium varies in the range of 450-600 mg/l. This could be due to pollution loads entering from sewage discharge, washing of clothes, bathing and sea water intrusion. The study is mandatory for the decision makers and public for reduce the contamination levels in the study area, since it is a major source of water for domestic and agricultural activities of surrounding.
