Dynamics And Speciation Of The Heavy Metals In The Lower Reaches Of Chithrapuzha- A Tropical Tidal River

The proposed study is an attempt to quantify and study the seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb among the various geochemical phases in the surficial sediments of Chitrapuzha river. The study also estimates the concentration of heavy metals in dissolved, particulate and sediments and their variation in seasonal and spatial distribution. Chitrapuzha River originates as a small stream from the upper reaches of high ranges in the eastern boundary of Kerala, passes through the valley and finally joints in the Cochin backwaters. Numerous industrial units located along the banks of the river discharge treated and untreated effluents into the water. These are long standing local complaints about water pollution causing fish mortality and serious damage to agricultural crops resulting in extensive unemployment in the area. The river is thus of considerable social and economic importance.

Studies On The Dynamics And Water Quality Of The Muvattupuzha River In Relation To Effluent Discharge

The present study aims at the investigation of the 1ysico—chemical features of a tropical tidal river viz. we Muvattupuzha river. This river is expected to receive Jderate to heavy pollution loads in years to come, from we lone industrial unit, already set up on its bank. ilike other rivers, the geographical disposition of this Lver attains unique importance as regards its dynamics for 3) availability of natural runoff water from catchment :eas, which becomes very heavy during the monsoon season 3) regular steady availability of tail race water from a /dro—electric power station throughout the yearThe study also aims at arriving at the balancing forces of inherent self~purification of the river verses pollution loads from the factory effluents. The investigation period falls ahead of actual pollution occurrence and so the ambient conditions for a period of nearly one-and-a—half years were investigated, the analyses of which providflz to formulate the inter-relations of parameters varying with seasons. Tracer experiments were carried out which revealed the dispersion and dilution characteristics of the river in the vicinity of effluent outfall. The studv covers the trial—cum-capacity production periods of the factory during which effluents of various strength and quantity were discharged into the river; a few computed values arQ’cjmpgrQdl ... with the observed values. The base data along with the profiles of Oxygen sag equation have been utilized fb develop a mathematical model of the river with regard to its water quality

An Integrated Hydro geological Study of the Muvattupuzha River Basin, Kerala, India

The present investigation on the Muvattupuzha river basin is an integrated approach based on hydrogeological, geophysical, hydrogeochemical parameters and the results are interpreted using satellite data. GIS also been used to combine the various spatial and non-spatial data. The salient finding of the present study are accounted below to provide a holistic picture on the groundwaters of the Muvattupuzha river basin. In the Muvattupuzha river basin the groundwaters are drawn from the weathered and fractured zones. The groundwater level fluctuations of the basin from 1992 to 2001 reveal that the water level varies between a minimum of 0.003 m and a maximum of 3.45 m. The groundwater fluctuation is affected by rainfall. Various aquifer parameters like transmissivity, storage coefficient, optimum yield, time for full recovery and specific capacity indices are analyzed. The depth to the bedrock of the basin varies widely from 1.5 to 17 mbgl. A ground water prospective map of phreatic aquifer has been prepared based on thickness of the weathered zone and low resistivity values (<500 ohm-m) and accordingly the basin is classified in three phreatic potential zones as good, moderate and poor. The groundwater of the Muvattupuzha river basin, the pH value ranges from 5.5 to 8.1, in acidic nature. Hydrochemical facies diagram reveals that most of the samples in both the seasons fall in mixing and dissolution facies and a few in static and dynamic natures. Further study is needed on impact of dykes on the occurrence and movement of groundwater, impact of seapages from irrigation canals on the groundwater quality and resources of this basin, and influence of inter-basin transfer of surface water on groundwater.

Geochemistry and Minerology of Chaliyar River Sediments with Special Reference to the Occurrence of Placer Gold

The present work deals with the texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of bedload sediments of the main stream of the Chaliyar basin, a typical small drainage system of the tropics enjoying heavy rain fall and moderate climate, located essentially in the Northern Kerala and flowing over the crystalline rocks (and their laterized duricrust) of the South Indian granulite terrain. As the Chaliyar is the major river draining the Wynad Gold Fields and is known for its placer gold occurrences, the thesis gives special emphasize on understanding the nature and distribution of detrital gold in sediments of the basin, while attempting to infer the provenance characteristics and factors involved in the evolution of sediments in general. Minerologically the chaliyar basin sands are quartzose. The quartz and feldspar contents in the coarse sand fraction of the basin range from 64 to 86% and 2 to 16% respectively. The Q/F ration ranges from 4 to 38 with a slight decrease in the lower reaches. Other minerals present include, hornblende, pyroxene and heavy minerals like opaques, garnet, rutile, biotite, spene, silliminite, zircon, apatite and monazite some of which are seen as inclusions in quartz. The major element composition of Chaliyar bedload sediments in the main channel and the headwater tributaries is related to the mineralogical and textual characteristics of sediments.

Hydrogeological and Hydrochemical Studies of the Periyar River Basin, Central Kerala

Dept.of Marine Geology & Geophysics, Cochin University of Sceince and Technology

An integrated study on the hydrogeology of Bharathapuzha river basin, South West coast of India

The present work deals with the An integrated study on the hydrogeology of Bharathapuzha river basin ,south west coast of india. To study the spatial and temporal behaviour of the groundwater system of the Bharathapuzha river basin.To discover the sub-surface parameter by ground resistivity surveys.T o determine the groundwater quality of the Bharathapuzha river basin for the different seasons {pre monsoon and post monsoon with reference to the domestic and irrigational water quality standards.Present study will provide a good database on the hydrogeological aspects within the river basin.The study area covers l7 block Panchayats. Of these, Chitoor block is ‘over exploited’, Kollengode, Trithala, and Palakkad are ‘critical’ in category and Kuttippuram and Sreekrishnapuram blocks are ‘semi critical’ in terms of groundwater development.Comparison of Geomorphology map with drainage map shows that the geomorphology has a clear control on the drainage net work of the basin. The structural hill area shows a highest drainage network, where as pediment shows lowest drainage network.There are many discontinuous lineament in the Bharathapuzha river basin which can be connected by a straight line.Ground water flow directions are generally towards the western portions of the study area. From the northern region Water flows towards the central and also water from the eastern and southern side confluences at the centre and move towards western side of the basin.The positive correlation of transmissivity and storativity values show good aquifer conditions exists in the present study area .