Status of Water Quality of Naikal Pond in Northeastern Karnataka, India

Ponds are shallow, water filled depressions inhabited by aquatic plants and animals. They are an important natural resource and provide habitat for native species. These ponds remain neglected with no proper attempt of nurturing the potential ecosystem services and are under evaluated. The study was conducted to determine the water quality of Naikal pond in northeastern Karnataka. Water sample was collected near deepest part of pond using grab sampling technique during march 2022 and 2023. The collected water sample was subjected to characterization of physico-chemical parameters. viz., temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphate, nitrate and phosphate. The results were compared with BIS drinking water quality standards. The most of the water quality parameters were within the permissible level except total alkalinity. From the data obtained, the water quality index was calculated to quantify overall pond water quality status of the area. It is found that based on the water quality index results, the samples are falling under good category. Pond water is suitable for propagation of wild life and fisheries as water pH is in between 6.5 to 8.5 and dissolved oxygen concentration more than 4.0 mg/L.