Water level fluctuation and indicator bacterial distribution in quaternary aquifers along Pampa river bank, Kerala

Jeffi Selvan.J; Deleep Packia Raj; Dr. A Murugan

Volume : VII, Issue : X, October - 2017

Water level fluctuation and indicator bacterial distribution in quaternary aquifers along Pampa river bank, Kerala

Jeffi Selvan. J, Deleep Packia Raj, Dr. A Murugan

Abstract :

Pampa, the third longest river in Kerala is one of the most stressed rivers in the state. Water level fluctuation and distribution of indicator bacteria in quaternary aquifers along Pampa river bank in Chengannur– Maramon sector during Southwest and North east monsoons and summer season of 2013–2014 is discussed in this paper. Monthly water level in dug wells is monitored and seasonal analysis of riverine and well waters for indicator bacteria is carried to understand the pollution contribution from the river to the well water and the same from the banks to the river. Water level of dug wells was generally the lowest in SW monsoon which did not show relative influence of their proximity with the river. Water level fluctuation at Maramon did not show seasonal influence probably due to fresh water flow from KIP canal with fractured walls. Higher occurrence of Total and Faecal coliforms in the study area during NE monsoon can also be contributed from the downstream water flow from pilgrimage site at Pampa. During SW Monsoon River water carries coliforms landward but do not infiltrate more than 200–300m off the bank. Contamination of faecal streptococci was ubiquitous in the study area. However, their presence in wells far inland in the absence of faecal coliforms can be of nonhuman in origin. Tracer experiments with marker coliforms can give more specificity to this bacterial movement.