PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETER VARIATIONS OF SURFACE WATER IN LOWER GADILAM RIVER, CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

The study is to determine the physico-chemical variations of surface water in fourteen stations along the Gadilam River, Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Physico - chemical variable in water samples collected along Gadilam River during summer and winter is analyzed for, pH, Electrical conductivity (Ec), Total hardness (TH), Total dissolved solids (TDS) and major elements like Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulphate with addition of nutrients like Nitrate and Phosphates. The noted increase of electrical conductivity is found in summer, whereas other parameters are more during winter. The study infers that the effluent flow, sewage drainage, catchment runoff and the tides are having great influence on the changes in physico-chemical parameters and fluctuation of macronutrient. The degradation of our river ecosystem and water quality of various rivers all over the country is evaluated to understand the present status of Gadilam River.