Comprehensive Analysis On The Physical, Chemical, Nutrient, Heavy Metal And Microbiological Parameters At Selected Stations Of Buckingham Canal,Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

The physical, chemical, nutrient, heavy metal and microbiological parameters of water samples of Buckingham canal were ascertained from December 2018 to May 2019. The water colour was found to be brownish to black and possessed a sewage smell and taste was objectionable. Atmospheric temperature, water temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total suspended solids and total dissolved solids ranged from 28 to 38°C; 28 to 38°C; 1745 to 2215mmho/cm; 150 to 458NTU; 280 to 360mg/L; and 1365 to 4250mg/L respectively. The respective values of pH, salinity, total hardness, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand ranged from 7.33 to 7.53; 2.03 to 7.02ppt; 270 to 1265mg/L; 456 to 1396mg/L; 2.05 to 4.2mg/L; 146 to 508mg/L; and 640 to 1572mg/L. The nutrient parameters, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulphate, phosphate and silica values ranged from 67 to 282mg/L; 320 to 453mg/L; 40 to 88mg/L; 24 to 150mg/L; 8.0 to 13.2mg/L; 0.1 to 3.7mg/L; 441 to 1112mg/L;. 48 to 62.7mg/L; 15.2 to 18.7mg/L; and 37.6 to 63.7mg/L respectively. Free ammonia was nil throughout the period of study and fluoride of water samples was nil except for station 1 (0.6mg/L) during post monsoon. Heavy metal parameters, arsenic and manganese content of water samples was nil throughout the study period. Chromium, copper, iron, lead and zinc content ranged from 0.007 to 0.011mg/L; 1.06 to 1.34mg/L; 0.34 to 1.55mg/L; 1.2 to 2.5mg/L; and 0.23 to 0.32mg/L respectively. In addition, microbiological parameters revealed that it was not safe for domestic applications.