- Polachirawetland, hydrology, nutrients.
Abstract
Polachira wetland in Southern Kerala is a famousdestination of itinerant birds.Thebird aggregation in wetlands is always correlated to the abiotic and biotic factors of the ecosystem. The present investigation reveals the hydrology of the Polachirawetland during February to July 2014. The air and water temperature
agreed with the climatic factors prevailed. The pH showed slight acidity and alkalinity. The total solids fluctuation was renderedby the Total Suspended Solid and Total Dissolved Solid which was indicated by organic discharge, high chloride content and salinity in water. Salinity in water was elevated due to the incursion of saline water from Paravur estuary to Polachira wetland through a canal. The free carbondioxide concentration did not show much variation but dissolved oxygen showed variation. The total hardness which was related to the calcium and magnesium hardness in water was determined.Alkalinity was balance in the
ecosystem. Nutrients such as nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicate were in equilibrium concentration.Correlations of physicochemical parameters among six months were statistically significant.