A SYSTEMATIC APPRAISAL ON THE COMPARATIVE ACCOUNT ON THE SALINITY LEVELS IN THE THREE RIVERINE ECOSYSTEMS OF KANNUR DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA

The world's ecosystems are being threatened by many factors, that entail the urgent need for research and education programs to create awareness in the society for their protection and conservation. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the salinity intrusion and the seasonal variations of various physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, transparency, carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand of the three riverine ecosystems of Kannur district namely Kakkad, Kattampally and Pullooppi. Water samples were collected during the year 2019-2020 from the study area and the physico-chemical parameters were analyzed with respect to the seasons following standard methods. The study indicates that there was a pronounced variation of most of the water quality parameters with variations in season and remarkably higher level of salinity intrusion was also noticed with respect to seasons. In the present study it has been observed that salinity range from 14.2mg/l to 339 mg/l. Maximum salinity was recorded in site 3 during post monsoon season and the minimum salinity was recorded in site 1 during Pre-monsoon season. Water with high salinity is not suitable for drinking as well as for irrigation purpose. Biological Oxygen Demand values ranged from 0.48 to 9.92 mg/l. The maximum value of BOD was noticed in site 3 (9.92 mg/l) during monsoon season.The results may provide an early warning signal about the degradation of these precious ecosystems. The findings of the present study also provide a better understanding for the need for the restoration of these natural pristine ecosystems.