Seasonal Variations of Iron levels in Kodoor River, Kottayam, Kerala, South India

Abstract

Water with a high iron content leaves an unpleasant bitter aftertaste and stains clothing and sanitary products. Fish and other filamentous creatures that feed on iron compounds can produce unpleasant tastes and smells. It is well-established that a small amount of iron is necessary for proper nutrition.  In order to track the levels of irons, water samples are taken from 12 locations along the Kodoor River in Kottayam, Kerala, before, during, and after the rainy season. Many people use the water from the Kodoor river for drinking and farming. During the pre monsoon season, iron concentrations are highest, and after the monsoon season, they are slightly lower. During the pre-monsoon season, station 12 (KS12, Changanacherry) in the downstream layer recorded the greatest iron concentrations. Despite a marked improvement in water quality with the start of the monsoon, the iron concentration of the Kodoor River remains greater than the required limit. Across all stations, iron levels exhibit seasonal variation, peaking just before the monsoon. In most cases, the iron levels are higher in the downstream stations than at the upstream and middle stream stations. This indicates that  water quality management is a pressing requirement in this river.