Pollution of Water bodies â?? A study from flood affected areas in Ranni and Seasonal water quality analysis of Pampa river from Erumely (Kottayam District) and Ranni (Pathanamthitta District), Kerala, India

Physical and chemical parameters degrade water causing health issues in
living organisms. The present study examines the variation in these
parameters in Pampa River at Ranny. Water were collected from five
different sources at Mamukku,Ranny and tested at CEPCI Kollam. The study
showed that the water quality at Ranny is fit for domestic use in terms of
heavy metals. But BOD levels were elevated due to the pressure of organic
waste that could have been entered due to the presence of chemical and
sewage wastes in water bodies at Ranny. Among the five heavy metals
(Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and Copper) Copper and Chromium
were below the standard limit and the other three heavy metals Lead,
Cadmium and Mercury was below detected level.The regular water
treatment methods adopted in the area due to recent flood may be the
result of water quality in Ranny with respect to heavy metals. The physical
parameters like pH of water sources in Ranny is normal except well water
which slightly acidic due to chemicals runoff and wastewater discharge. The
TDS levels are normal in all five sources but BOD levels are elevated due to
the presence of organic wastes entered from chemical and sewage disposal
in water bodies. Water samples from Pampa river of places like Ranni,
Erumely, Vadasserikara, Pothamon and Edappavoor were collected
seasonally (Sabarimala - pilgrimage season) i.e., during November-
December, 2019 and off season January – February, 2020. The analysis of
Biological and Physio-chemical parameters like E.Coli, pH, Turbidity, BOD,
Chloride, Sulphate and Iron reveals that the water bodies were affected by
anthropogenic and other activities during off - season (January –
February,2020) than pilgrimage season (November – December,2019). The
results revealed that the studied sites showed more pollution with E.coli
during January – February, 2020 i.e., after pilgrimage season, especially
Erumely than Ranni. And this may be due to the unwanted disposal off
waste by the pilgrimages.

Author(s): Dr.R.Aruna Devy

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