Faculty Publications
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Item Natural and anthropogenic factors controlling the dissolved organic carbon concentrations and fluxes in a large tropical river, India(2006) Balakrishna, K.; Kumar, I.A.; Srinikethan, G.; Mugeraya, G.Carbon studies in tropical rivers have gained significance since it was realized that a significant chunk of anthropogenic CO2 emitted into the atmosphere returns to the biosphere, that is eventually transported by the river and locked up in coastal sediments for a few thousand years. Carbon studies are also significant because dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is known to complex the toxic trace metals in the river and carry them in the dissolved form. For the first time, this work has made an attempt to study the variations in DOC concentrations in space and time for a period of 19 months, and estimate their fluxes in the largest peninsular Indian river, the Godavari at Rajahmundry. Anthropogenic influence on DOC concentrations possibly from the number of bathing ghats along the banks and domestic sewage discharge into the river are evident during the pre-monsoon of 2004 and 2005. The rise in DOC concentrations at the onset of monsoon could be due to the contributions from flood plains and soils from the river catchment. Spatial variations highlighted that the DOC concentrations in the river are affected more by the anthropogenic discharges in the downstream than in the upstream. The discharge weighted DOC concentrations in the Godavari river is 3-12 times lower than Ganga-Brahmaputra, Indus and major Chinese rivers. The total carbon fluxes from the Godavari into the Bay of Bengal is insignificant (0.5%) compared to the total carbon discharges by major rivers of the world into oceans. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006.Item Spatial and temporal variations in water quality, major ions and trace metals(2007) Deepa, V.J.; Balakrishna, K.; Mugeraya, G.; Srinkethan, G.; Krishnakumar, P.K.Godavari river at Rajahmundry is monitored for a period of seven months at five stations along its course for the physicochemical parameters, major ions and trace metals. This study is made to obtain a baseline data of the existing pollutants in this 'hotspot', which is set to become the industrial hub of Andhra Pradesh. Results indicate that A P Paper Mills may not be polluting the river at this period, contrary to what was expected. Clear picture will emerge, once the data for the rainy season is available. Local pollution from detergents and soap in the river is seen in the downstream (station VIP) as lot of bathing and washing activity is done on the banks. There is no pollution of Cu, Ni, Pb, As and Co in the Godavari river at Rajahmundry. In general the pollutant levels in all the stations analysed is within the prescribed limits set by BIS and WHO standards. Copyright © Enviromedia.