Open AccessANALYSIS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BANDAM KUNTA LAKE WATER FOR RESTORING AS A BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE
Author(s) -
P. Praveen Chari,
Dhayanithi Vasantha Kumari
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of engineering applied science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2455-2143
DOI - 10.33564/ijeast.2019.v04i01.006
Subject(s) - biodiversity , environmental science , geography , ecology , environmental resource management , biology
In this paper the Bandam Kunta lake which is recognized as Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). It is the first BHS in the state and for the first time in urban environment. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate physico chemical characteristics of this lake water and identifying the reasons for pollution of the lake and recommending some measures to restore it as a BHS. The study is carried out and the lake water parameters are analyzed for Pre Monsoon and Post Monsoon seasons. They include Pre Monsoon values are slightly increased than Post monsoon. This may be due to aeration of the lake during summer and concentration of the salts. The lake water is not suitable for drinking it can be used for agriculture. Reasons for degradation of lake water are identified as garbage dumping, idol immersion and fertilizers and pesticides usage in the catchment area. Due to presence of nitrates, phosphates and aquatic plant growth, fish living got deterioted due to anoxic condition and aesthetic look is displeasing. It is identified that lake is degraded and is leading to eutrophic conditions. Unnecessary aquatic plant growth that is mainly water lettuce can be controlled by mechanical means by raking or skimming. It is further recommended that by stopping garbage dumping, idol immersion and usage of fertilizers and pesticides, the problem can be solved. Keywords— Bandam Kunta lake, Biodiversity Heritage Site and Physico-chemical characteristics