SEASONAL VARIATION IN WATER QUALITY OF LOWER SINDH, PAKISTAN
Abstract
A comparative study on water quality has been carried out in pre- monsoon and post -monsoon seasons of district Thatta, lower Sindh. The water samples were analyzed for physical, chemical and microbiological parameters by the methods described in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA, 2005). Temperature ranged between 24-330C, pH varied between 6.9-8.9 and Electrical conductivity was between 233-987µScm-1 during pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively. Total dissolved solids (TDS) 161.1-690.9ppm, Total hardness ranged between124.40-188.81ppm as CaCO3. Chloride content was observed between 81.79-131.78 ppm while the range of nitrate was between 2.10-5.20ppm.The concentrations of the heavy metals were found to be in order Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn > As in pre-monsoon and Pb> Cd > Cu > Zn > As in post- monsoon respectively. It was observed that water available in the district is non-potableand unsafe for human consumption and contaminated with human or animal waste.
