Assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on spatio-temporal variation of water quality in Anchar lake, Kashmir Himalayas

In the present study, various physico-chemical parameters of water were assessed over a period of six months (from February, 2012 to July, 2012) on monthly basis at six study sites in Anchar lake of Kashmir valley. The correlation matrix and dendrogram of physicochemical factors have been computed and analyzed. The positive co-relation coefficient was observed between, free carbon dioxide and calcium, alkalinity and nitrate, alkalinity and phosphate, total hardness and calcium, total hardness and magnesium, nitrate and phosphate, conductivity and chloride and total dissolved solids and chloride, while as negative corelation coefficient was found between dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand and pH and dissolved carbon dioxide. The Bray Curtis similarity analysis showed that there is a similarity of 96% between sites III and V, 94% between sites I and II, and < 92% for other sites. The physico-chemical analysis of Anchar revealed it is heavily polluted as a result of anthropogenic pressures.