Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Shanmuga sundaram A, Palanivelrajan M, Sreekumar C, Ghadevaru Sarathchandra, Venkataramanan R and Ananda Chitra M

Abstract:
The present study was initiated with the objective to compare the quality of water in two lakes, one situated in Kumizhi in rural Kancheepuram adjacent to Umanancheri reserve forest and the other in Madhavaram, Chennai city. Both the lakes host more than 80 species of resident and migratory birds. Water samples from these lakes were collected and analysis was carried out on the parameters such as total hardness, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, pH, NO₃, NO₂, PO₄, NH₃, total alkalinity, total hardness and salinity. The study revealed that Madhavaram Lake recorded significantly high values of COD, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate, total alkalinity, hardness and salinity in comparison with Kumizhi lake. Overall, 134 variety of bird species were recorded at both Kumizhi Lake and Madhavaram Lake. Among which 68 bird species were common in both lakes whereas 18 unique bird species were recorded at Madhavaram lake, and 48 unique bird species were recorded at Kumizhi lake. From this study, it can be concluded that water quality of the Madhavaram lake is can potentially pose a threat to ecosystem. Further, rapid urbanization and industrialization can accelerate water pollution in the near future. Systematic and periodical awareness camps may be organized to educate the local public of Madhavaram, Chennai to maintain the ecology and consequently water quality of the lakes for not only the welfare of the avifauna hosted by the water bodies but also their own betterment.