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<p>Khushalsar, once regarded for its clear waters, has undergone substantial degradation. This study assesses the physico-chemical and microbial dynamics of Khushalsar Lake, benchmarked against Dachigam stream. Quarterly sampling was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022 at four sites viz, Khushalsar inlet, centre, outlet and Dachigam following APHA (2017) standards. Summer showed the highest concentration at the Khushalsar inlet, with peak values of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (38.52&#xa0;mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (58.50&#xa0;mg/L), ammoniacal nitrogen (0.643&#xa0;mg/L), nitrate nitrogen (0.766&#xa0;mg/L), total phosphorus (0.354&#xa0;mg/L), sulphate (0.382&#xa0;mg/L) and oil and grease (67.42&#xa0;mg/L) but Dissolved Oxygen was recorded lowest in summer (5.12&#xa0;mg/L). In contrast, Dachigam recorded the highest Dissolved Oxygen (14.62&#xa0;mg/L) and maximum pH (8.19) during summer. Autumn at the inlet showed elevated concentrations of calcium (145.24&#xa0;mg/L), magnesium (84.49&#xa0;mg/L) and total hardness (169.20&#xa0;mg/L). Winter and spring exhibited relatively improved water quality due to reduced metabolic demand and seasonal dilution. A clear contamination gradient Inlet &gt; Centre &gt; Outlet &gt; Dachigam, identified the inlet as the principal pollution entry point. Although not all but many parameters exceeded BIS (1991) permissible limits in terms of mean concentration including EC, BOD, COD, NH<sub>3</sub>-N, DO, PO<sub>4</sub> <sup>3−</sup>, Ca, Mg, Chloride and oil and grease, underscoring strong anthropogenic influence. CCME-WQI scores classified Khushalsar as ‘poor’ (33.75–35.93), whereas Dachigam fell under ‘marginal’ quality (58.57). Microbial loads were highest at the inlet in summer (6.08&#xa0;CFU/mL) and lowest at Dachigam during spring (3.84&#xa0;CFU/mL). The study concludes that Khushalsar is under marked ecological stress, warranting immediate sewage management and pollution control interventions.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Evaluating Water Quality and Microbial Contamination in Khushalsar Wetland, Kashmir for Ecosystem Health

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月16日

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  • Areeba Aijaz,
  • Farooq Ahmad Lone,
  • Immad A. Shah,
  • Haleema Bano,
  • Umar Ashraf Mir,
  • Nageena Nazir,
  • M. Deepasri

摘要

Khushalsar, once regarded for its clear waters, has undergone substantial degradation. This study assesses the physico-chemical and microbial dynamics of Khushalsar Lake, benchmarked against Dachigam stream. Quarterly sampling was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022 at four sites viz, Khushalsar inlet, centre, outlet and Dachigam following APHA (2017) standards. Summer showed the highest concentration at the Khushalsar inlet, with peak values of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (38.52 mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (58.50 mg/L), ammoniacal nitrogen (0.643 mg/L), nitrate nitrogen (0.766 mg/L), total phosphorus (0.354 mg/L), sulphate (0.382 mg/L) and oil and grease (67.42 mg/L) but Dissolved Oxygen was recorded lowest in summer (5.12 mg/L). In contrast, Dachigam recorded the highest Dissolved Oxygen (14.62 mg/L) and maximum pH (8.19) during summer. Autumn at the inlet showed elevated concentrations of calcium (145.24 mg/L), magnesium (84.49 mg/L) and total hardness (169.20 mg/L). Winter and spring exhibited relatively improved water quality due to reduced metabolic demand and seasonal dilution. A clear contamination gradient Inlet > Centre > Outlet > Dachigam, identified the inlet as the principal pollution entry point. Although not all but many parameters exceeded BIS (1991) permissible limits in terms of mean concentration including EC, BOD, COD, NH3-N, DO, PO4 3−, Ca, Mg, Chloride and oil and grease, underscoring strong anthropogenic influence. CCME-WQI scores classified Khushalsar as ‘poor’ (33.75–35.93), whereas Dachigam fell under ‘marginal’ quality (58.57). Microbial loads were highest at the inlet in summer (6.08 CFU/mL) and lowest at Dachigam during spring (3.84 CFU/mL). The study concludes that Khushalsar is under marked ecological stress, warranting immediate sewage management and pollution control interventions.

Graphical Abstract