Studies on Physico-Chemical Properties and Ichthyofauna Diversity of Cauvery River, Karur District (Tamil Nadu, India)

Abstract

Water is an essential requirement for all life-supporting processes. Karur is one of the busiest textile industrial area which prone to the release of huge amount of dyeing effluents into the Cauvery river. From eight different sampling stations water samples were collected and 18 physio-chemical parameters and ichthyofauna diversity were studied. The physical parameters (Temperature, Odour, Colour and Turbidity) of the water samples collected from S1 to S8 showed unpleasant, rotten and fishy odour; slight greenish/bluish or grayish coloured water with increased temperature and turbidity than the reference levels. Among the tested chemical parameters, a significantly high total hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Mn2+ and NO3 levels were observed in the tested water samples. Ichthyofauna diversity study results revealed the presence of 15 fishes belongs to the Family Cichlidae (4 species), Channidae (1 species), Cyprinidae (9 species) and Cobitidae (1 species). O. mossambicus, C. mirgala belongs to vulnerable category, Hypselobarbus dubius belongs to the endangered category, Puntius mahecola belongs to the data deficient IUCN status whereas the other 11 species belong to the least concern category. Our results concluded that due to the presence of pollutants in the water, chemical parameters results were exceeding the WHO reference values. This condition disturbing the ichthyofauna (fish) diversity in the studied river regions.