The Impact of Land Use on the Surface and Groundwater Quality of Ghataprabha Subbasin

Abstract

Human activities have modified the environment for thousands of years. Land use and agriculture play a vital role in sustaining the health, nourishment and economy of the world’s population. At the same time, some land use practices can degrade the quality of our soils, waterways, air and other natural resources. Ghataprabha river is one of the major and important river in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and Belgaum (Karnataka) districts, which has undergone tremendous changes over the last 15–20 years. Therefore, it is essential to know the impact of land use on water quality (both on surface and groundwater). In the present study an attempt is made to monitor the surface and groundwater water quality parameters to determine the impact of land use on the surface and groundwater quality of Ghataprabha Subbasin. Water sampling was done both in the surface water of river and the groundwater sources near the river. The water samples were analyzed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), sulphates, chloride, bicarbonates, nitrates, phosphates, fluoride, sodium, potassium using the standard methods recommended in the manuals (APHA, 2005). Land uses in the area significantly affected the concentration of EC, TDS, sulphates, potassium and sodium while pH, dissolved oxygen, chloride, bicarbonates, nitrates, phosphates did not significantly fluctuate with land use changes in the area. To minimize the destruction of hydro-systems and the degradation of their water quality due to land use, multidisciplinary studies are required at the design stage of the project, and an integrated water resources management approach where all users should take an active role in the conservation of Ghataprabha  River catchment in order to avoid further degradation of the catchment through different land uses.

Keywords: River Ghataprabha, physicochemical parameters, land use changes, pollution