Status of Wetlands of Urban Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and Their Characterization

Abstract

The urban wetlands of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu are fed by the Noyyal River that originates from the Western Ghats of India. Many of these wetlands support rich flora and fauna which will be greatly affected by degradation of water quality. Water samples were drawn periodically and analyzed for the pollution parameters (DO, BOD, COD, TDS etc.). The results showed that the Singanallur Lake recorded high nitrates (21.52 mg/1) which is above the WHO standards. Likewise, the heavy metal content in the water samples was found to be higher than the WHO standards for drinking water quality. Of the ten lakes studied, Valankulam Lake registered highest pathogenic bacteria population. Eichhornia crassipes°and Pistia sp., the aquatic weed was found to grow under contaminated condition. About 125 species of birds have been spotted during the study period.