Assessment of Water and Soil Quality in the Urban Stretch of Girudhumal River Sub-basin, Madurai, tamil nadu

The population within the urban stretch of Girudhumal river sub-basin area increased the input of organic matter to the river system. It originates from sewage and small scale industries waste and this organic pollution causes very severe bio-contamination with bacteria and viruses. Twelve water samples during post monsoon and summer season 2014 were collected and analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, BOD, COD, Na, K, Mg, N, P, K, SO₄, Cl, and for heavy metals viz., Cu, Cr, Fe, Cd, Pb, Zn. The results were compared with FAO and WHO standard. Also, 17 soil samples were collected and tested for pH, EC, N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and compared with standards. The wastewater quality in the Girudhumal is having a high content of total dissolved solids, alkalinity, chloride and sulphates than the permissible limits. The results have indicated that enormous amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium present in the soil. These nutrient helps to reduce the fertilizer amount to the soil. SAR, %Na values shows within the permissible limit. This water quality impairment is as a result of sewage disposal directly to the channel without treatment.