Spatio-Temporal Variations of Physico-Chemical Characteristic in Different Lakes of Manipur, India

Abstract

Wetlands are complex hydrological and bio-geochemical system with specific structural and functional attributes and perform many ecological roles in the biosphere. This study is undertaken to evaluate the present water quality scenario existing in  3 fresh water bodies of Manipur i,e. Lotak, Kharungpat and Ikop Lakes. which has been affected due to the anthropogenic disturbances. Water samples for physico-chemical parameters were collected during the wet season and dry season following standard methods. A total of 10 water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, Transparency, DO, BOD, COD, CO2, TDS, Conductivity and COD/BOD were analyzed. The pH was all basic throughout the period of the study which ranged from 6.36-6.62 across all the study sites. Temperature ranged from 20.14-28.11°C. Dissolved Oxygen concentration ranged from 1.22-4.73 mg/L, while the BOD ranged from 3.24-4.56 mg/L. COD level (4.40-7.57 mg/L) was low, while CO2 concentration (12.43-32.06 mg/L) was relatively high in all the sampling sites. Transparency range from (83.12 -120.09 mg/L) while conductivity range from (100-160μ Siemens/cm). From our result and comparing with the standard water data we found that the studied lakes are at the "margin of pollution" aligns with a growing global crisis where freshwater systems are under extreme stress from anthropogenic activities. The nutrient enrichment observed in this lake could be responsible for organic pollution, likely driven by anthropogenic inputs. This study constitutes a preliminary assessment of the ecosystem, and further investigations are needed to better understand its biogeochemical functioning and the nature of the disturbances affecting it.