Physico-chemical limnology of a shallow lake in the floodplains of western Himalaya from last four decades: present status

Abstract

Background: From the last few decades several lakes and wetlands showed water quality degradation that is one of the major problems globally resulting in serious environmental impacts and concern in both aquatic and terrestrial environs. Methods: During this study we evaluated a number of water parameters [water temperature, depth, transparency, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), dissolved oxygen, chloride, calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, nitrogen and phosphorus] on the monthly basis in September 2012-August 2013 in Hokersar wetland. Results: From the year 1978 till 2012-13, the number of parameters showed an increasing trend except for pH and dissolved oxygen. Remarkable temporal variations were recorded in various parameters during the past and present study (e.g. dissolved oxygen showed a decrease of about 2.4 mg/L and pH 0.8 units. Calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, ammonical nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen depicted many fold increase in the last four decades). Among the recorded parameters significant positive correlations were observed between depth and chloride (r = 0.408, p < 0.01); pH and water temperature (r = 0.888, p < 0.05); dissolved oxygen with total alkalinity (r = 0.790, p < 0.05). However, negative correlation were maintained by water temperature with dissolved oxygen (r = 0.894, p < 0.05), free carbon dioxide (r = 0.732, p < 0.05) and calcium content (r = 0.868, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study reflects that the wetland is under tremendous anthropogenic pressures from the immediate catchment. Further, from the study it is evident that total phosphorus raveled decreased levels as compared to previous years reflecting that the wetland still has spongy capacity for the major nutrient.

Current Status of Wetlands in Srinagar City: Threats, Management Strategies, and Future Perspectives

“…The increased sillt load from the catchment area due to deforestation of higher reaches is the possible cause for the disappearance of the species and depletion of water depth, which has been reported to have reduced from 1.12 m (Pandit, 1980) to 0.63 m (Rather and Pandit, 2002). It is also pertinent to mention that during the last few decades, the water quality of the wetland has deteriorated (Shah et al, 2019) severely (Table 6), mainly attributed to urbanization in the vicinity (Romshoo et al, 2011). Kaul et al, 1978;Kaul and Trisal, 1985;Shah et al, 2019).…”

“…It is also pertinent to mention that during the last few decades, the water quality of the wetland has deteriorated (Shah et al, 2019) severely (Table 6), mainly attributed to urbanization in the vicinity (Romshoo et al, 2011). Kaul et al, 1978;Kaul and Trisal, 1985;Shah et al, 2019).…”

People&#039;s perception of the impacts of drivers of degradation on Hokersar Wetland in Kashmir Himalaya

“…These plants have a high nutritional content, which attracts a www.extensionjournal.com huge number of birds (Gibbs, 1993;Paracuellos, 2006) [5], [16] . It's also important to note that, in recent decades, the wetland's water quality has substantially declined (Shah et al, 2019) [23] , owing primarily to urbanization in the area (Romshoo et al, 2011) [22] . The symptoms of wetland degradation are also attributed to the catchment's uncontrolled use of fertilizers and pesticides for agriculture and horticulture, which ultimately find their way into the wetland via the Doodhganga River.…”