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WATER QUALITY STATUS OF HIGH ALTITUDE LAKE NACHIKETA TAL, GARHWAL HIMALAYA, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

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  • SDM Government PG college Doiwala

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Water quality status of Nachiketa Tal was studied using various physico-chemical characteristics at four different selected sites for an interval of two years (June, 2008 to May, 2010). Results indicate variation in the water temperature between 4.0 ° C to 27.0 ° C. Transparency ranged between 38.00 cm to 198.00 cm. The minimum value of dissolved oxygen recorded was 3.00 mg l-l and maximum 11.00 mg l-l. Free CO2 varied between 0.88 mg l-l to 6.10 mg l-l. pH value ranged between 6.8 to 7.9. The chloride level fluctuated between 5.96 mg l-l to 22.57 mg l-l. Values of nitrate varied from 0.061 mg l-l to 0.129 mg l-l , while, values of phosphate and silicate ranged between 0.014 mg l-l to 0.098 mg l-l and 0.0064 mg l-l to 0.0110 mg l-l , respectively. On the basis of physico-chemical parameters water of Nachiketa Tal represents a naturally occurring oligotrophic ecosystem.
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Research Paper
WATER QUALITY STATUS OF HIGH ALTITUDE LAKE NACHIKETA TAL,
GARHWAL HIMALAYA, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
Dhyal Singh1, M.S. Rawat2, Babita Bantwan3 and O.P. Gusain4
1Department of Zoology, Uttaranchal College of Bio-Medical Sciences & Hospital,
Dehradun, Uttarakhand,
2Department of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Doiwala, Uttarakhand,
3Department of Zoology, SPRC (P.G.) College, Haridwar,
4Department of Zoology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal 246174
Uttarakhand
India.
Abstract
Water quality status of Nachiketa Tal was studied using various physico-
chemical characteristics at four different selected sites for an interval of
two years (June, 2008 to May, 2010). Results indicate variation in the
water temperature between 4.0°C to 27.0°C. Transparency ranged
between 38.00 cm to 198.00 cm. The minimum value of dissolved oxygen
recorded was 3.00 mg l-l and maximum 11.00 mg l-l. Free CO2 varied
between 0.88 mg l-l to 6.10 mg l-l. pH value ranged between 6.8 to 7.9. The
chloride level fluctuated between 5.96 mg l-l to 22.57 mg l-l. Values of
nitrate varied from 0.061 mg l-l to 0.129 mg l-l, while, values of phosphate
and silicate ranged between 0.014 mg l-l to 0.098 mg l-l and 0.0064 mg l-l
to 0.0110 mg l-l, respectively. On the basis of physico-chemical
parameters water of Nachiketa Tal represents a naturally occurring
oligotrophic ecosystem.
Key words: Nachiketa Tal, Physiochemical characterstics, Garhwal
Himalaya, Water quality.
INTRODUCTION
Freshwater habitats occupy a relatively small portion of the earth’s surface, but their
importance to man is far greater than their area (Odum, 1996). World oceans cover
about three-fourth of earth’s surface. According to UN estimates, the total amount of
water on earth is about 1400 million cubic kilometers which is enough to cover the
earth with a layer of 3000 meters depth. However, the freshwater constitute a very
small proportion of this enormous quantity. About 2.7 percent of the total water
available on the earth is fresh water of which about 75.2 percent lies frozen in polar
regions and another 22.6 percent is present as ground water. The rest is available in
lakes, rivers, atmosphere, moisture, soil and vegetation. (National Water Policy, 2002).
Lakes in general, account for very small viz., 0.009 % of the total freshwater and it has
Journal of Global Biosciences
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been estimated that there are 12 million lakes on the earth with a total area of about 2.7
million km2 and total volume of 1,66,000 km3 (Heinonen et al., 2000).
To undersatnd the ecology of freshwater systems, analysis of physico-chemical
parameters are very essential. The physico-chemical methods are used to detect the
effects of pollution on the water quality. Kaul et al. (1980) stated that dissolved oxygen
has been used as a most reliable parameter of lake eutrophication. According to them a
change in trophic status of a lake is associated with an increase in its nutrient status, so
an increase in the conductivity values indicate a tendency towards higher level of
trophication. Vestergaard and Sand-Jensen (2000) stated that alkalinity and trophic
state regulate aquatic plant distribution in Danish lakes. Carvalho et al. (2002)
investigated the physico-chemical conditions for supporting different levels of biological
quality for fresh water. Adak et al. (2002) reported that different physico-chemical
parameters of water are very important for effective maintenance of water quality
through appropriate control.
In Uttarakhand 100 lakes have been documented (Uttarakhand Year book,
2011), while in the Garhwal region about 56 lakes have been enlisted (Rawat et al.,
2007). The present communication deals with the water quality status of high altitude
Lake Nachiketa Tal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nachiketa Tal, situated at an altitude of 2475m asl lies between 30°22- 31°25’N
latitude and 75°51-79°27’E longitude. It is small, somewhat oval shaped lake with an
approximate length of 200m, width of 90m and depth of 3m with a catchment area of
about 600 square meters, Nachiketa Tal receives water from precipitation and melting
of snow. The lake, as such, has no inlet or outlet. The lake is approached by road from
Uttarkashi up to Chaurangikhal, (27 Km) and thereafter a trek of 3 Km through dense
mixed forest of Rhododendron, Cedrus, Abies, Taxus, Quercus, Myrica etc. The
geographical location and directions were studied with the help of compass and GPS.
Lake Nachiketa Tal is located in the Northern-Western part of Himalaya and South-East
to Uttarkashi township.
Sampling was done at four sites (Table 1) in Lake Nachiketa Tal at monthly
interval from June 2008 to May 2010 (I Year- June, 2008-May, 2009; II Year- June, 2009-
May, 2010). The air and water temperature was measured by a thermometer and pH by
portable Hanna pocket pH meter (H196-107). The turbidity was recorded by Systronics
Digital Nephelo-Turbidity Meter (132), while conductivity and total dissolved solid by
MAC soil and water analysis kit. Other parameters viz., dissolved oxygen, free carbon
dioxide, alkalinity, Total Suspended Solids (T.S.S.) and Total Solids (T.S.) were analysed
following standard method outlined in Welch (1952), Trivedy and Goel (1986) and
APHA (1995). For analysis of chloride, nitrate and phosphate water samples were
collected in plastic bottles of 500 ml and were taken to laboratory.
Journal of Global Biosciences Vol. 6(5), 2017 pp. 5012-5021
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Table 1. Sampling sites on Lake Nachiketa Tal.
Sampling
Site
Location
Mean Depth
(m)
Shore Characteristics
S1
North-
West
2.5
Rhododendron trees; Chara; frequent
bathing and washing of clothes; a
temple is situated in the periphery of
lake.
S2
North-East
2.5
Rhododendron trees; stone
embankment; bottom clear with
pebbles; hut of saint.
S3
South-East
1.0
Shrubby vegetation along
Rhododendron trees; low depth due to
deposition of litter and soil erosion;
water turbid.
S4
South-
West
1.5
Rhododendron trees, litter deposition
and soil erosion.
RESULTS
The present study represents the limnological conditions of the high altitude
Lake Nachiketa Tal. The water temperature in Nachiketa Tal was observed in
accordance to the ambient temperature. The water temperature values varied between
4.0°C in February’09 to 27.0°C in June’09 (Fig 1). The transparency in Nachiketa Tal was
recorded lowest (38.00 cm) in August’09 and highest (198.00 cm) in December’09 (Fig
1). The minimum value of dissolved oxygen recorded was 3.00 mg l-l (September’09)
and maximum 11.00 mg l-l (December’08) (Fig 1). Free carbon dioxide in lake varied
between 0.88 mg l-l (June’09) to 6.10 mg l-l to (December’08) (Fig 1).
Total alkalinity in lake Nachiketa Tal varied from 5.50 mg l-l (December’08) to
35.00 mg l-l (June’08) (Fig 1). The pH of water was observed to vary between 6.8 to 7.9
(Fig 1). The hardness of water in Nachiketa Tal varied from 22.40 mg l-l (July’08) to
51.20 mg l-l (June’09) (Fig 1). The chloride level fluctuated from 5.96 mg l-l (July’08) to
22.57 mg l-l (December’09) (Fig 1). The nitrate level in Nachiketa Tal varied from 0.061
mg l-l (January’08) to 0.129 mg l-l (March’09) (Fig 1). The phosphate was recorded
minimum (0.014 mg l-l) in September’08 and maximum (0.098 mg l-l) in June’09 (Fig 1).
The silicate in Nachiketa Tal varied from 0.0064 mg l-l (June’08) to 0.0110 mg l-l
(March’09) (Fig 1).
Total solids was found to be absent in different month, whereas, it was recorded
maximum 1.80 g l-l in July’09 (Fig 1). The total dissolved solids in Nachiketa Tal was also
not present at many sites during different months. However, the Total Dissolved Soilds
was maximum 1.30 g l-l during (July’09) (Fig 1). Total Suspended Solids in Nachiketa Tal
was found to be absent at all the sites during different months, it was recorded highest
(1.20g l-l) (July’08, August’08) (Fig 1). Turbidity of water in the lake varied from 0.30
NTU (June’08) to 8.10 NTU (July’09) (Fig 1).
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0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Chloride (mg l-1)
0.0
7.0
14.0
21.0
28.0
35.0
42.0
49.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Hardness (mg l-1)
6.2
6.4
6.6
6.8
7.0
7.2
7.4
7.6
7.8
8.0
8.2
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
pH
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Total alkalinity (mg l-1)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Free carbon dioxide (mg l-1)
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Dissolved oxygen (mg l-1)
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Transparency (cm)
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Temperature (oC)
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0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
J J A S O N D J F M A M
Silicate (mg l-1)
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Total suspended solids (g l-1)
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Total dissolved solids (g l-1)
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Total solids (g l-1)
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.10
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Phosphate (mg l-1)
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Nitrate (mg l-1)
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Fig.1. Monthly average fluctuation of physico-chemical parameters of Lake Nachiketa Tal
during June 2008May 2010.
DISCUSSION
Water temperature in Lake Nachiketa Tal ranged from 4°C to 27°C during the
study period. In general, the water temperature was maximum during summer months,
while, the minimum was observed during winter (Fig 1). The values more or less varied
in accordance with the air temperature. The oxygen cycle in water involves a rapid
decrease during summer and a steady increase through autumn till maximum content
reached in winter, following the well known solubility of gases (Kaul et al. 1980).
Free CO2 was present through out the study period at all sampling sites and
ranged from 0.88 to 6.1 mg l-1. Earlier, Sorgensen (1948) and Moyle (1949) classified
waters and grouped into three different nutrient status groups on the basis of alkalinity
as follows (a) 1 to 15 mg l-1 as nutrient poor (b) 16 to 60 mg l-1 as moderately rich and
(c) more than 60 mg l-1 as nutrient rich. ake Nachiketa Tal showed lower value of
alkalinity as compared to the other Indian lakes. Considering the limits of alkalinity
reported by different researchers Nachiketa Tal can be conveniently categorised as
nutrient poor to moderate rich lake.
A significant negative correlation was recorded between dissolved oxygen and
water temperature in both the years of study (r= -0.486, p<0.05 in I year; r= -0.584,
p<0.05 in II year) (Table 2). Free carbon dioxide was inversely correlated to dissolve
oxygen in both the years (r= -0.226, p<0.05, I year; r= -0.260, p<0.05, II year) (Table 3).
Similar inverse relationship has also been reported by other in different lakes (Pearsall,
1923; Ganapati, 1940; Gonzalves and Joshi 1946; Rao 1955; Shastree et al., 1991 and
Rawat, 1992).
In general, hardness was maximum during summer months, while, the minimum
values were observed during monsoon. The present study is in corroboration with
Harrison (1999) who reported that the chloride concentration depends on the water
level. He stated that when the water level decreases, the chloride concentration
increases. He further observed that when water level rises due to rain, the consequent
dilution decreases the chloride concentration.
Reid (1961) found that average of nitrate in unpolluted freshwater is 0.30 ppm.
According to Sawyer (1947, 1952) and Vollenweider (1968) limiting value of nitrate for
the process of eutrophication as 300 µl-1. During the present study, the value of nitrate
ranged from 0.061 to 0.129 mg l-1 (Fig 1), thus on the basis of above classification
Nachiketa Tal is considered as an oligotrophic water body.
In Lake Nachiketa Tal phosphorous value ranged between 0.020 to 0.098 mg l-1
during the study period (Fig 1). Low phosphate value observed during spring was due
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
Turbidity (NTU)
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to the high phytoplankton density. Low concentration 50 and 52 µg l-1 of phosphorous is
characteristic of high altitude Lakes (Pandit, 1999). The silicate concentration in
Nachiketa Tal was recorded to be very low (0.0064 mg l-l to 0.0110 mg l-l) (Fig 1). In
general, the silicate was maximum during spring months, while, the minimum was
observed during summer. Pant et al. (1985) also reported decreased silicate
concentration during spring and summer. Liss and Spencer (1970) and Aston (1980)
stated that silicate concentration decrease due to biological removal by phytoplankton,
especially by diatoms and silicoflagellates.
In Lake Nachiketa Tal, Total Solids ranged from being absent to 1.80 g l-l, Total
Dissolved Solids varied from 0.00 to 1.30 g l-l and total suspended solids ranged from nil
to 1.20 g l-l (Fig 1). The Total Solid and Total Suspended Solids were observed higher
during monsoon season while least during winter season. In Lake Nachiketa Tal Total
Solid and Total Suspended Solids was observed higher during monsoon season while
least during winter season, similar to the findings of Tripathi and Pandey (1990) and
Patil et al. (2011). The total solid and total suspended solids recorded low during winter
which is due to the sedimentation and high during monsoon due to high surface run off,
silt from catchment area of Lake.
In Lake Nachiketa Tal the turbidity was minimum 0.30 N.T.U. and maximum 8.10
N.T.U. (Fig 1). High turbidity during monsoon was observed in Lake Nachiketa Tal
during the present study period. During monsoon season silt, clay and other suspended
particles contributes to the turbidity values, while during winter season settlement of
silt, clay results low turbidity. Dagaonkar and Saksena (1992) and Garg et al. (2006b)
have also reported high turbidity during rainy season (monsoon).
A significant negative correlation between transparency and turbidity was
recorded in both the years (r= -0.483, p<0.05 in I year; r= -0.548, p<0.05 in II year)
(Table 2). On the other hand, a positive correlation between total dissolved solids and
turbidity was recorded in both the years (r= 0.263, p<0.05 in I year; r= 0.725, p<0.05 in
II year) (Table 3).
CONCLUSION:
On the basis of various parameters studied Nachiketa Tal represents a naturally
occurring ecosystem that is oligotrophic Although the nutrient level too is still near
moderate, nonetheless, the trend is towards assuming moderate condition.
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... The condition of Dal Lake had reached a critical stage from the ecological angles and if proper conservation measures not taken in future; the lake will likely deteriorate further and will soon turn into eutrophic condition. Singh et al., (2017) studies on water quality status of high altitude Lake Nachiketa Tal, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. They analyzed water quality status of Nachiketa Tal using various physicochemical characteristics. ...
Book
The book is about ichthyofaunal diverity of the Kadana reservoir in Mahisagar district, Gujarat with color photographs and description. It also gives details about water parameters. A detailed colour photographs of fish, short description regarding identification of meristic and morphometric characters. Book also cover the water parameters of reservoir, species richness and occurrence also detailed about policy and suggestion
... 13 A preliminary study on the primary productivity of Nachiketa Tal has been done by Singh et al. 14 A factual report of the water quality of the lake is also available. 15 So the present study was carried out in order to determine the composition, density and diversity of Phytoplankton of Nachiketa Tal and the influence of physico-chemical variables on them. ...
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The present study deals with the zooplankton density and identification of potential bioindicator for assessing the water quality of high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal over a period of one annual cycle (November 2014-2015). A total 32 species including the potential indicator belonging to four groups were recorded from Dodi Tal during the year. Over all contribution to zooplankton diversity was made by Rotifera (62%), Cladocera (16%), Copepoda (13%), and Protozoa (9%). Maximum density (353.00±35.69 ind.l-1) of zooplankton was recorded in summer season and minimum (24.00±2.00 ind.l-1) in monsoon season in Dodi Tal. Water quality and health of the wetland was assessed based on Shannon Wiener diversity index, physico-chemical parameters of water and potential indicator species of zooplankton. Some of the potential indicator species were identified Brachionus caudatus, B. patulus, Cephalodella gibba and Colurella obtuse. While, Ascomorpha ovalis, Lrcane hastate, Trichocera, alona guttatta, Bosmina longirostris, Dephnia catwaba, Acanthocyclops vernalis and Arcella vulgaris were found most tolerant species among zooplankton dwelling Dodi Tal. The present investigation revealed that the density of zooplankton species depended upon the physico-chemical parameters of the lacustrine environment. This was confirmed by Karl Pearson correlation coefficient and bioplotting Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) between physico-chemical parameters and the zooplankton species. [Sushma Singh, Ramesh C. Sharma. Zooplankton diversity and potential indicator species for assessment water quality of high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Academ Arena 2020;12(5):1-16]. ISSN 1553-992X (print); ISSN 2158-771X (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/academia. 1.
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