Open AccessPHYSICO-CHEMICAL STATUS OF POLACHIRA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM IN SOUTHERN KERALA
Author(s) -
Munisha Murali S,
Amala M.S,
S Sheeba
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
kongunadu research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2349-2694
DOI - 10.26524/krj290
Subject(s) - alkalinity , salinity , wetland , total dissolved solids , environmental chemistry , nitrate , abiotic component , estuary , environmental science , nutrient , total suspended solids , ecosystem , hydrology (agriculture) , chemistry , ecology , environmental engineering , wastewater , chemical oxygen demand , geology , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Polachira wetland in Southern Kerala is a famousdestination of itinerant birds.Thebird aggregation in wetlands is always correlated to the abiotic and biotic factors of the ecosystem. The present investigation reveals the hydrology of the Polachirawetland during February to July 2014. The air and water temperatureagreed with the climatic factors prevailed. The pH showed slight acidity and alkalinity. The total solids fluctuation was renderedby the Total Suspended Solid and Total Dissolved Solid which was indicated by organic discharge, high chloride content and salinity in water. Salinity in water was elevated due to the incursion of saline water from Paravur estuary to Polachira wetland through a canal. The free carbondioxide concentration did not show much variation but dissolved oxygen showed variation. The total hardness which was related to the calcium and magnesium hardness in water was determined.Alkalinity was balance in theecosystem. Nutrients such as nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate were in equilibrium concentration.Correlations of physicochemical parameters among six months were statistically significant.