Prediction of water quality index of Gudavi wetland, Karnataka, Central Western Ghats

Abstract

The present study was planned to analyse Water Quality Index (WQI) of Gudavi wetland, a bird sanctuary in Shimoga district, Central Western Ghats, Karnataka in order to establish the tool Water Quality Index (WQI) to evaluate the quality of water and restoration of wetland. This study helps to deal with impact on environmental parameters on the water quality of wetland. The WQI was studied for whole seasons, i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. During  the  study WQI was resolute on the basis of various  parameters like pH, EC, TDS, T alkalinity, T hardness, T suspended solids, calcium, magnesium, chloride, nitrate and  dissolved oxygen(DO). The values found were compared with the recommendations suggested by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS). A relative weight was given to each parameter range from 0.1 to 66.64, based on its range where dissolved solids in pre-monsoon showed high. The WQI values range from ?Wnqn=62.75   to ?Wnqn =113.73 where indicates high nutrient load. The application of WQI is necessary for proper management of the Gudavi. Water quality condition was slightly accumulated with inorganic nutrients from the runoff was found in the selected study area, which was evidenced from WQI (?Wnqn =113.73) and growth of aquatic vegetation. The dense growth of Salvinia molesta is used as the water quality key indicator, and it exists where there is a high nitrates in water quality condition. The nitrates and chlorides negatively influenced the aquatic macrophytes. Therefore, there is a need for some adaptation measure to maintain the better water quality for the avian fauna diversity.