Water Quality Assessment of Bibinagar Lakeby Physico-Chemical Parameters

Introduction

Water is fundamental for sustaining life on Earth. However, its quality is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities such as construction, improper sewage disposal, and inadequate agricultural practices[1-2]. Environmental factors like soil erosion can alter physical landscapes and subsequently affect water bodies [3]. Traditional assessments of water quality typically focus on physico-chemical parameters such as turbidity, pH, and conductivity. While these metrics are crucial, they alone do not fully capture the complexities of water quality. Environmental variables, including topographical factors such as slope, aspect, and geological parameters, including lithology and soil type, also significantly influence water quality. These factors can have both direct and indirect effects on the overall condition of water bodies [4]. For instance, shallow water bodies and estuaries exhibit notable seasonal variations in water quality parameters, influenced by regional rainfall, tidal inflows, and various abiotic and biotic processes that play a substantial role in nutrient cycling [5]. Water quality is generally described through its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Rapid industrial development and the unregulated use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have led to significant pollution in aquatic environments, resulting in deteriorated water quality and reduced aquatic biodiversity. The use of contaminated water poses serious health risks, leading to waterborne diseases among human populations. Therefore, regular monitoring of water quality is essential to safeguard public health and the environment.

The present study aims to analyze the water quality of Bibinagar Lake by examining physico-chemical parameters over a one-year period from May 2021 to April 2022. Previous research in India has extensively explored the physicochemical and biological characteristics of various water bodies, including reservoirs, rivers, and lakes [6]. This study builds on this body of work to provide a comprehensive assessment of the water quality of Bibinagar Lake, contributing valuable data for future environmental management and conservation efforts.

Materials and Methods

Surface water samples were collected from Bibinagar Lake at three sampling stations between 10:00 am and 11:00 am. Sampling was conducted monthly from May 2021 to April 2022, covering the monsoon, winter, and summer seasons. The samples were collected in sterilized plastic cans with a capacity of 2 litres.

At the sampling stations, measurements were taken for water temperature, pH, and turbidity. For unstable parameters such as temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO), measurements were recorded on-site. Collected samples were promptly transported to the laboratory for further analysis of various physicochemical parameters, including conductivity, total solids, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, COD, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The analyses were conducted following standard methods as outlined by [7-12]. Three replicates of each sample from each station were taken for each parameter, and statistical means were computed. Temperature was measured in situ using a centigrade thermometer (0–110°C). pH was measured with a portable Mac pH meter, turbidity was assessed using an Electronic India Digital Turbidity Meter (Model-331), and total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity were recorded using the Toshcon Multipara meterAnalyser. Dissolved oxygen and total hardness were estimated according to the methods described by [13-14].

Results and Discussion

The study of Bibinagar Lake’s water quality for the academic year 2021-22 revealed notable seasonal variations in key physicochemical parameters. Data were collected from three different sampling stations, focusing on temperature, turbidity, pH, electrical conductance, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).

Temperature

Water temperatures ranged from 16.2°C in January 2022 to 18.8°C in April 2022 (Table 1 and Graph 1). The highest average temperature of 18.7°C was recorded in April, while the lowest average of 16.2°C was observed in January. These temperature fluctuations are consistent with seasonal changes typically observed in temperate climates, where warmer temperatures occur during the spring and summer months [14-16].

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Turbidity

Turbidity levels varied significantly throughout the year, peaking at an average of 7.40 NTU in December and dropping to 2.22 NTU in May 2021 (Table 2 and Graph 2). The elevated turbidity in December can be attributed to increased runoff and sedimentation from the monsoon rains, aligning with findings from similar studies [17].

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pH

The pH values ranged from 7.80 in April to 8.74 in January 2022 (Table 3 and Graph 3). The highest average pH of 8.41 was recorded in October, while the lowest average pH of 8.00 was observed in March. These variations suggest a seasonal influence on water chemistry, with higher pH values potentially linked to reduced organic activity during cooler months [18].

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Electrical Conductance

Electrical conductance ranged from 1,051 µS/cm in May 2021 to 1,233 µS/cm in August (Table 4 and Graph 4). The higher average conductance in August reflects increased ion concentration, likely due to higher water temperatures and increased evaporation rates during the summer months [19-21].

Total Hardness

Total hardness ranged from 210 ppm in December to 430 ppm in May (Table 6). The highest average hardness of 430 ppm was observed in May, correlating with increased mineral content during warmer months. Seasonal fluctuations in water hardness are commonly reported in freshwater systems [22-24].

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

DO levels ranged from 4.3 mg/L in April to 8.4 mg/L in September (Table 7 and Graph 7). The highest average DO of 8.4 mg/L in September suggests favourable conditions for oxygenation, potentially due to cooler temperatures and enhanced photosynthetic activity during this period [25-26].

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

BOD values ranged from 13.8 mg/L in December to 38.2 mg/L in November (Table 8 and Graph 8). The elevated BOD in November indicates higher levels of organic pollution, which may result from increased runoff and waste discharge [27-29].

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

COD values ranged from 32 mg/L in March to 74 mg/L in November (Table 9 Graph 9). The highest average COD of 74 mg/L in November reflects increased levels of oxidizable organic material, similar to patterns observed in other studies [29-30].

The data indicate that Bibinagar Lake experiences substantial seasonal variations in water quality parameters. Temperature, turbidity, and TDS showed significant fluctuations influenced by seasonal weather patterns and water inflow. High turbidity and TDS during the monsoon months are attributed to increased runoff and sedimentation. Elevated BOD and COD levels in November suggest increased organic pollution, potentially due to agricultural runoff or waste discharge.

The variations in pH and electrical conductance reflect seasonal changes in water chemistry, with higher conductance during the summer indicating increased ion concentrations. Lower DO levels in April suggest reduced oxygen availability, likely due to lower temperatures and higher organic loads.

These findings are consistent with previous studies on seasonal variations in lake water quality [31-32]. The observed trends underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and management to address pollution and maintain the ecological health of the lake.

Conclusion

Bibinagar Lake exhibits considerable seasonal variability in water quality parameters. Understanding these variations is crucial for effective lake management and pollution control. Continued monitoring is recommended to ensure the lake’s ecological health and to inform strategies for mitigating adverse impacts from both natural and anthropological caused sources.

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Environmental Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, for providing the laboratory facilities.

Author’s contribution

All the authorsdesigned the study, collected and analysed data, and drafted the read and the develop final manuscript for publication.

Availability of data and material

All data generated and analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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