Spatiotemporal variation of physicochemical parameters in Aripal and Watalara streams of Kashmir Himalaya using multivariate statistical techniques.

The sustainability and management of ecological services provided by the stream ecosystem requires regular assessment of its physicochemical parameters. The anthropogenic pressure in terms of deforestation, urbanization, use of fertilizers and pesticides, land use, and climate change are the major factors responsible for the deterioration of water quality. In the present study, we monitored 14 physicochemical parameters at three different sites from June 2018 to May 2020 in both the Aripal and Watalara streams of Kashmir Himalaya. The data was analyzed through one-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test, two-tailed Pearson's correlation, and multivariate statistical techniques like principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). A significant variation (p < 0.05) was observed in all the physicochemical parameters on both spatial (except AT, WT, and DO) and seasonal (except TP and NO3-N) scales. Pearson's correlation revealed a significantly strong positive correlation for AT, WT, EC, Alk, TDS, TP, NO3-N, and NO2-N. PCA's first four principal components were considered significant as they represented the highest cumulative percent variances of 76.49% and 74.72% in Aripal and Watalara streams, respectively. The loading and scatter plots revealed that AT, WT, TP, NO3-N, and NO2-N influence water quality. The strong loading of these parameters indicates the anthropogenic activities in the streams. CA depicted two well-defined clusters, wherein cluster-I is comprised of sites A3 and W3 which indicate poor water quality. In contrast, cluster-II is comprised of sites A1, W1, A2, and W2 which indicate good water quality. The present study could be helpful to ecologists, limnologists, policymakers, and other stakeholders in developing long-term management programs and conservation strategies for water resources.

Assessment of physicochemical parameters of Vishav stream: an important tributary of river Jhelum, Kashmir Himalaya, India.

The deteriorating conditions in stream ecosystems are detrimental for society as far as its health, and development is concerned if the underlying factors continue to operate without regular monitoring. In order to maintain the health of a stream ecosystem, assessment of spatiotemporal changes in its physicochemical attributes and identification of all factors that could alter its hydrological regime is an essential component for managing it. The current 2-year study (October-2017 to September-2019) assessed the physicochemical regime of lower stretches of the Vishav stream, a major left-bank tributary of river Jhelum on a spatiotemporal basis. The physicochemical data was analyzed through linear regression, ANOVA (followed by Duncan's test), multivariate statistical analysis, viz., principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). Linear regression pointed out the nature and magnitude of the relationship between different physicochemical variables (p < 0.05). PCA showed that WT, pH, EC, NO3-N, TDS, TH, and DO are the major factors reflecting the water quality of the Vishav stream. The range in water quality parameters of the Vishav stream was found conducive for the inhabitant fishes. Two well-defined clusters were obtained, wherein Cluster-I comprising of Site-III (a downstream pollution prone site) and Cluster-II comprising of Site-II and Site-I (mid- and upstream site respectively) are less prone to human interferences. The present study could serve as baseline information to manage and conserve this precious element of the aquatic ecosphere in terms of better water quality for humans and its inhabitant faunal elements especially fish which play a significant role in the economy of that region.