Assessing seasonal changes in water quality using various indices in Chenab River and its tributaries (J&K)

The present study involves the analysis of thirteen physiochemical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, sulphate and nitrate) and five heavy metals (chromium, zinc, arsenic, lead and cadmium) from Chenab River and its tributaries (Neeru and Bichleri) at Ramban and Doda district, J&K. The analysis was done for two different seasons i.e. summer (June) and winter (December), 2022. The current investigation indicated that all the physiochemical parameters were in the permissible limit in both the seasons except few parameters (Ca, Mg, turbidity). In the analysis of heavy metals in both the seasons, it was found that there was no heavy metal contamination in all sampling sites except the Cr concentration which was found to be higher in all sites (except SXII) in summer season. The detailed analysis involved the calculation of various water quality indices which graded water quality under 'good' category as per WQI value whereas CPI and HPI value showed moderate to high pollution level in water during summer season. The study showed the seasonal variation in water quality parameters and thus encourage the need for regular monitoring of water quality to reduce pollution level.