European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HYDROLOGY OF ARUVIKKUZHI WATERFALLS, KOTTAYAM, KERALA

Arjun S., Anakha Nair and K. S. Anila Kumary*

ABSTRACT

To provide information on the physico-chemical characteristics of Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls, monthly samples were taken from three stations along the length of waterfalls for 6 months from September 2019 to February 2020 covering wet and dry seasons. Air and water temperature was low during wet season which can be connected with the rain and cooling of atmosphere itself. Mean pH was comparatively low at the waterfall area (7.28) while the value calculated for TDS was higher at this station (10.8 mg/l) and lower at the upstream station (9.35 mg/l). Chloride content in the water was comparatively higher at station III (upstream) followed by station II (waterfall). Total alkalinity was low at all stations, varied from 1.6 to 4.2 mg/l CaCO3. Total hardness (mean) was comparatively higher at station III (21 mg/l CaCO3) followed by station II (18.5 mg/l CaCO3). There is considerable increase in dissolved oxygen in the waterfall area together with total absence of carbon dioxide. Concentration of the nutrients nitrite and phosphate were comparatively higher at the upstream station and lower in the waterfall area. Low organic enrichment and greater turbulence leads to comparatively better physico-chemical characteristics in the immediate vicinity of waterfall. Low level of sewage mixing from the surrounding human settlements along the banks and the digestion of sewage wastes lead to comparatively higher values of nutrients, chloride, carbon dioxide and total hardness at the upstream station.

Keywords: Physico- chemical parameters, waterfall ecosystem, tourism.