IJSRP, Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2015 Edition [ISSN 2250-3153]
Onkar Singh Brraich, Sulochana Jangu
Abstract:
The diverse functions of wetlands are being adversely affected by human activities. Harike wetland has high ecological significance as it provides home to diverse flora and fauna, habitat for feeding and breeding and social interactions. This paper discusses an integrated approach of pollution indices and statistical techniques to assess the intensity of heavy metal pollution discharged from various industries in Harike wetland. This wetland is highly polluted due to the rapid industrialization, urbanization and dumping of solid wastes. The water quality of the wetland has been studied with reference to various toxic metals. The metals analyzed include lead, chromium, iron, copper, nickel, zinc and cadmium. The quality of water has drastically deteriorated due to the mixing of the heavy metals. Most of the metal ions were in higher concentration compared to the international standards. It has been observed that the quality of water is not safe for various aquatic and even unfit for human drinking and irrigation purposes, therefore, necessary conservation and management measures should be taken to improve the deteriorating water quality of this globally recognized wetland.