Physico-chemical and biological study of the river Chittar at Courtallam, Tamil Nadu (India).

ABSTRACT

Courtallam Falls of the river Chittar in Tamil Nadu (India) is a place of tourist attraction during the southwest monsoon season. Particularly, in this season high input of detergents and other anthropogenic activities tend to bring in undesirable materials into the water body, whereby the pristine quality is altered. Therefore, a study was undertaken in the peak southwest tourist season to assess physico-chemical and biological quality of the river Chittar. After carrying out analytical study of various water samples, it was found that although the river was not found highly polluted, biological quality was found significantly poor. Excluding sulphate, all the other physico-chemical parameters analyzed were found within the permissible limits. However, the total and faecal coliforms exceeded the permissible limits, indicating a poor status of the river.