ABSTRACT
Pallikaranai wetland has high ecological significance as it has been a home for other associated biodiversities. This wetland is highly polluted due to the rapid industrialization, urbanization and dumping of solid waste. The water quality of the Pallikaranai wetland has been studied with reference to toxic metals. The metals analyzed include lead, chromium, iron, copper, nickel, zinc and cadmium. The heavy metal analysis in surface waters were in the following range ; Cd : BDL – 0.019 mg l-1, Fe : BDL – 1.52 mg l-1, Cu : BDL – 0.02 mg l-1, Ni : BDL- 0.60 mg l-1, Pb : 0.03 – 1.13 mg l-1, Zn : 0.002 – 0.14 mg l-1 and Cr : 0.10 – 1.52 mg l-1 respectively. The dominance of various heavy metals in the surface water of the Pallikaranai wetland followed the sequence: Pb> Cr > Fe > Ni > Zn > Cd > Cu. The quality of water has deterioted due to the various anthropogenic activities. Most of the metal ions were in higher concentration compared to the standards. It has been observed that the quality of the surface water is not safe for aquatic and domestic life, hence necessary management actions should be taken to control the quality of the surface water.