Assessing Seasonal Variations and Anthropogenic Stresses in Water Quality Parameters of Wetlands in Aligarh District

Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems are vital resources, yet they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures such as urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural runoff. This study assesses the spatio-temporal variations in the water quality of several key wetlands in the Aligarh district to determine the impact of these human-induced factors. Water samples were collected from multiple sites across six different wetlands during the pre-monsoon (April) and post-monsoon (November) seasons. Twelve physico-chemical parameters, including pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, and Total Hardness, were analyzed. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using a weighted arithmetic method to provide a comprehensive assessment of water quality, and the results were visualized using spatial interpolation maps. The findings reveal that the water quality in the studied wetlands is significantly degraded, with WQI values classifying the water as \"poor,\" \"very poor,\" and in some cases, \"unsuitable for drinking.\" Significant seasonal variations were observed; some wetlands showed an improvement in water quality post-monsoon, likely due to the dilution effect of rainwater, while others showed further deterioration, indicating pollution from surface runoff. The analysis consistently points to anthropogenic activities as the primary driver of water quality decline. The study concludes that the wetlands of Aligarh district are under severe ecological stress, posing a threat to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability. These findings underscore the urgent need for implementing robust management strategies and mitigation measures to protect these critical freshwater habitats from further degradation.

Introduction

Freshwater ecosystems like lakes and marshes are rare but vital resources that support biodiversity and offer ecological and socio-economic benefits. Despite their importance, these ecosystems face serious degradation due to:

• Industrialization

• Urbanization

• Agricultural runoff

• Climate change

• Pollution from pesticides and sewage

Such pressures lead to eutrophication, water quality decline, and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Particularly in Kashmir and similar regions, weak policy enforcement exacerbates these problems.

2. Importance of Water Quality Monitoring

Water scarcity and contamination are rising global concerns. Monitoring water quality is critical to protect ecosystems and public health. Common tools include:

• Water Quality Index (WQI)

• Water Pollution Index (WPI)

• River Habitat Survey (RHS)

Water quality assessment involves measuring physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), hardness, chloride, and total dissolved solids (TDS).

3. Study Objective

The study focuses on evaluating water quality in six wetlands in Aligarh district using statistical and spatial methods, aiming to:

• Detect spatial variation in water quality

• Identify natural and human-induced factors influencing quality

• Calculate Water Quality Index (WQI) to categorize pollution levels

4. Study Area: Aligarh District

• Located in northern Uttar Pradesh, part of the Indo-Gangetic plain

• Characterized by semi-arid monsoon climate

• Population (2011): ~3.67 million; high density has strained water resources

• Includes many natural wetlands, essential for biodiversity and agriculture

Selected Wetlands for Study:

1. Kaali Deh Talab

2. Ambedkar Colony Waterbody

3. Bhamola Fatak Waterbody

4. Shekha Jheel

5. Ramgarhi Lake

6. Dabha-Dabhi Wetland

5. Methodology

a) Sampling Strategy

• Sampling during pre-monsoon (April) and post-monsoon (November)

• Samples taken from strategic locations (near settlements, vegetation zones, inlet streams)

• Total of 12 physico-chemical parameters measured

• Standard collection and lab protocols followed

b) GIS Mapping

• Used ArcGIS 10.8 and Nearest Neighbour (NN) interpolation to create spatial maps of water quality

c) Water Quality Index (WQI) Calculation

• WQI derived from 10 key parameters (excluding depth and temperature)

• Five-step process includes weighting parameters, quality rating, sub-index calculation, and categorization into:

  • < 50 = Least polluted

  • 50–100 = Moderately polluted

  • 100–200 = Highly polluted

  • 200–300 = Very highly polluted

  • 300 = Extremely polluted

6. Initial Results (Example: Kaali Deh Talab)

• Pre-monsoon:

  • Temperature: 31–32.2°C

  • Depth: S1 = 2.5 m, S2 = 4.7 m

  • pH: Slightly alkaline (8.66–8.75)

  • Electrical Conductivity (EC): High (2048–2182 μS/cm)

• Post-monsoon:

  • Temperature: Slight decrease (~30°C)

  • Depth: Slight increase (S1 = 2.9 m, S2 = 4.9 m)

  • pH: Decrease observed (8.02–8.69)

  • EC: Slight increase (1901–1979 μS/cm)

These parameters reflect the influence of seasonal changes and local anthropogenic pressures.

7. Key Insights

• Wetlands are under severe anthropogenic stress

• Water bodies show signs of chemical contamination and ecological imbalance

• There’s a need for effective water management, policy enforcement, and conservation strategies

• WQI serves as a valuable tool for policy formulation and public awareness

Conclusion

The temperature data suggests relatively stable thermal conditions in the wetlands, with minor variations between sites. Monitoring water temperatures is crucial for understanding the ecological dynamics of these ecosystems, as temperature influences various biological and chemical processes essential for their functioning. The depth variations in these wetlands indicate the diverse habitat conditions present in these ecosystems. Understanding these depth differences is crucial for managing and conserving wetlands to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. The TDS data highlights the diverse chemical composition of the wetland waters, which can impact aquatic life, water treatment processes, and overall ecosystem health. TDS levels is crucial for understanding and managing these wetland environments effectively. The pH values suggests that most of the wetland sites exhibit alkaline conditions, which can influence nutrient availability, metal toxicity, and biological processes in these ecosystems. Understanding pH variations is essential for managing and conserving wetlands to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. DO range suggests that some wetland sites may have low oxygen levels, which can impact the health of aquatic organisms and the overall ecosystem. Monitoring DO concentrations is important for assessing water quality and the ecological health of wetlands, as it directly affects the survival and behaviour of aquatic life. The turbidity ranges suggest varying levels of suspended particles and water clarity in the wetlands, which can impact light penetration, aquatic plant growth, and overall ecosystem health. Monitoring turbidity is essential for understanding and managing these wetland environments to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. The EC suggests varying levels of dissolved salts and minerals in the wetlands, which can impact water quality, nutrient availability, and overall ecosystem health. Monitoring EC is crucial for understanding and managing these wetland environments to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. Overall, the TH data suggests varying degrees of water hardness in the wetlands, which can impact water quality, aquatic life, and ecosystem health. Monitoring TH levels is crucial for understanding and managing these wetland environments to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. The TH Ca data provides insights into the calcium content in the wetland waters, which is important for understanding water hardness and its impact on aquatic organisms and ecosystem dynamics. Monitoring TH Ca levels is crucial for managing and conserving wetlands to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. The TH (Mg) data provides insights into the magnesium content in the wetland waters, which is important for understanding water hardness and its impact on aquatic organisms and ecosystem dynamics. Monitoring TH Mg levels is crucial for managing and conserving wetlands to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. Chloride data suggests varying levels of salinity in the wetlands, which can impact water quality, aquatic life, and ecosystem health. Monitoring Chloride concentrations is crucial for understanding and managing these wetland environments to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans. Alkalinity range suggests varying levels of buffering capacity in the wetlands, which can impact water quality and the stability of aquatic ecosystems. Monitoring Alkalinity concentrations is crucial for understanding and managing these wetland environments to ensure their ecological integrity and the services they provide to both wildlife and humans.

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Copyright © 2025 Saleha Jamal, Md Ashif Ali, Mohd Saqib. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.