A MULTI WATER QUALITY PARAMETER STUDIES FORM VELLAR RIVER, TAMIL NADU

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET)
Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2020, pp. 2563-2572, Article ID: IJARET_11_11_255
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=11
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YVFQS
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
A MULTI WATER QUALITY PARAMETER
STUDIES FORM VELLAR RIVER, TAMIL NADU
Yoganandan Veeran*, Arunkarthik. P, Monisha Balasubramaniyan, Priyanga. K
Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding Author
ABSTRACT
In recent days, environmental pollution caused by anthropogenic input into rivers
has become a serious problem. Studies on physiochemical characteristics of water on
major rivers in Tamil Nadu have been done. However, minor rivers such as Vellar have
less attention. At the same time, studies on microbial diversity are useful for
environmental monitoring. In this regard, we collected samples from the Vellar River
to examine physiochemical characters and microbial diversity to understand the present
state of the river. The result shows that physiochemical characters (pH, Temperature,
Salinity, TDS, and EC) are varied spatially. Whereas, the microbial diversity studies
suggest that the most of water samples contact with gram-positive and gram-negative
bacteria’s (Escherichia coli, streptococcus, salmonella typhi, bacillus sp, Klebsiella
pneumoniae) and fungal diversity. The overall result suggests that the water quality of
the Vellar River is classified in the D (poor) category. This is an alarming situation and
immediate mitigative actions are needed.
Key words: Microbial diversity, Physiochemical character, Vellar River, TDS.
Cite this Article: Yoganandan Veeran, Arunkarthik. P, Monisha Balasubramaniyan
and Priyanga. K, A Multi Water Quality Parameter Studies Form Vellar River,
Tamil Nadu, International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and
Technology (IJARET), 11(11), 2020, pp. 2563-2572.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=11&Issue=11
1. INTRODUCTION
Microorganisms encompass an extraordinary diversity, in both their taxonomy and their
ecological functions (Prabhahar et al., 2011). As a group, microorganisms range in size over
several orders of magnitude, span the three taxonomic domains (Archaea, Bacteria, and
Eukarya), and are uniquely capable of performing all known physiochemical transformations
(Scow et al., 2001). Microbial diversity constitutes the most extraordinary reservoir of life in
the biosphere that we have only just begun to explore and understand. Human activities have
not only affected the exploitable living resources but have also caused a reduction in coastal

A Multi Water Quality Parameter Studies Form Vellar River, Tamil Nadu
biological diversity. These conditions imply, at present, that the coastal zone is either misused
or overused.
Many studies have been carried out so for on the physiochemical parameters of various
estuaries of India (Prabhahar et al., 2011, Kumar and Prabhahar 2012, Gnanampprthy et al.,
2013&Prasanna and Ranjan 2010). The research was carried out for monitoring of this estuary
and for future ecological assessment water quality can be regarded as a network of variables
(pH, oxygen concentration, temperature, etc.,) that are linked and co-linked; any changes in
these physical and chemical variables can affect aquatic biota in a variety of ways(Dezuane,
1979).
Present studies deal with an assessment of some physicochemical parameters and microbial
diversity of the water bodies of rivers (Vellar). Analysis of some physiochemical characteristics
like water temperature, electrical conductivity, total solids, Total Dissolved solid, Total
Suspended Solid, pH, and salinity has been done during the investigation period.
2. STUDY AREA
The river Vellar is situated in the Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu (Figure. 1). It begins in the
Kalrayan Hills and runs mainly eastward through the districts of Salem, Perambalur, and
Cuddalore before entering the Bay of Bengal near Parangipettai. It is connected to the Chinnar
River first, and subsequently to the Anaivari or Kattodai River. The Vellar River is joined by
its largest and sole left-bank tributary, the Manimuthar River, northeast of Srimushnam. The
river runs east through the Cuddalore area from here. It runs through several settlements,
notably Sethiathoppu and Bhuvanagiri. It runs through Killai and Parangipettai before emptying
into the Bay of Bengal. The maximum average and lowest temperatures in May have been
36.8°C and 19.9°C, respectively.
Figure 1 Shows that the study area of the Vellar River is located in the Cuddalore district of northern
Tamil Nadu

Yoganandan Veeran, Arunkarthik. P, Monisha Balasubramaniyan and Priyanga. K
3. MATERIAL AND METHOD
Kalathur, Chitthur, Tholudur, S. Adhuthurai, Vathistapuram, Neivasal, Kottaikadu, Palendurai,
Karmangudi, Manimutharu, and Sethiathoppu are the eleven sampling sites in the Vellar River
basin (Figure. 1). The river water sample was collected through the plastic vial, labelled, and
marked separately. These samples are used for further studies
3.1 Physiochemical Analysis
Physiochemical tests by using multi-parameter analyser ST400M-B from UTECH. From this,
we analysed Total Dissolved Solid, Electrical Conductivity, temperature, pH, and salinity test
are taken at the sampling location (Anithaand kumar 2013, Dezuane, 1979&Kemmers, 1986).
3.2 Microbial Diversity Analysis
For the microbial diversity study, water samples are diluted using serial dilution mentod. 0.1
ml of the dilutions were placed in separate Petri dishes and 15 ml liquefied MacConkey agar
medium having a temperature of 43 ℃ to 45 ℃ was added to each dish for bacterial growth.
The agar and the sample were thoroughly mixed by tilting and rotating and the dish left for
solidification (Zeglin, 2015&Scow et al., 2001). The above dilution procedure is followed for
of fungi and actinomycetes culture. The media used for fungi is potato dextrose agar (Kou et
al., 2016). Samples were streaked for the growth of isolated colonies on nutrient agar, Blood
agar, and MacCokey's agar. Culture plates were further incubated at 37 ℃ for 24-48 hrs for
bacterial growth. Plates were examined for their morphology and the same type of colonies
were used for performing gram staining. In addition, the bacterial count was designed as a
standard plate count at 35℃ or a standard plate count at 20℃ (APHA 1998).
3.3 Biochemical Test
Identification and characterization of bacterial colonies biochemical analysis are widely used.
After the incubation, bacterial colonies are treated with a biochemical test like gram staining
method, indole test, methyl red test, Voges Proskauer test, and citrate utilization test. To identify
the gram-negative and positive bacterial species gram staining methods are used. These
biochemical tests are among the most important for microbial identification. Biochemical test
reactions that are not universally positive or negative within the species may be different.
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Physiochemical Analysis
Physiochemical parameters of water will determine the purpose with which the water could be
best used with little or no treatments. Variability in the physiochemical parameter is responsible
for the distribution of organisms in different freshwater habitats according to their adaptation,
which allows them to survive in a specific habitat (Dexauane et al., 1979, RMC 1990,
&Chandran et al., 1984).
The physiochemical and microbiological parameters are higher than the acceptable limits
of APHA (2005), AND WHO (2004).
Table 1 Shows the physiochemical character of the Vellar River water.
S.no Sample Site pH EC TDS (mg/l) Salinity (‰) Temperature ℃
1 Kalathur 8.1 150 190 0.07 28.9
2 Chitthur 8.5 260 162 0.07 29.8
3 Tholudur 8.47 125 157 1.01 30
4 S.Adhuthurai 8.47 134 168 0.11 29.1

5 Vathistapuram 8.43 198 247 0.09 29.6
6 Neivasal 8.41 234 295 0.1 28
7 Kottaikadu 9.01 100.9 200.2 1.1 29.7
8 Palendurai 8.63 167 182.7 11.9 29.2
9 Karamangudi 8.1 150 190 0.07 29.5
10 Manimutharu 8.67 238 250 0.08 28.2
11 Sethiathoppu 9.03 171 187.5 12.3 28.9
4.1.1 Total dissolved solids (TDS)
TDS ranged from 157 to 295 mg/l in surface water with a mean of 200 mg/l. In this study,
Manimutharu and Neivasal marked a higher level of TDS (295 and 250 mg/l) and a lower value
at the Selliyaman Temple and Tholudur sites (127 and 162 mg/l) (Figure. 2; Table. 1). Most of
the water was fresh i.e. 64 % of surface water, while the rest was brackish based on Freeze and
Cherry's (1979) classification. As per Davis and DeWiest (1966) classification, 64 % of surface
water was permissible for drinking. However, all samples were useful for irrigation as the TDS
was less than 3000 mg/l. High TDS may distort the taste of water and may cause gastrointestinal
irritation in human beings (Howard and Bartram 2003).
Figure 2 Shows the TDS in the water sample from the Vellar River
4.1.2 pH
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution is determined by its pH, which for this area ranged from
8.1 to 9.03 for surface water (Figure 3). The water in this area is slightly base in nature. The
desirable limit for pH in drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5 according to BIS (2012) and WHO (1993).
Four surface water samples exceeded this limit. Low value was recorded in Kalanthur and
Karamangudi locations due to the influence of sewage water. A high pH value was recorded in
Kottaikadu and Sethiathoppu (Figure. 3).
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Kalathur
Chitthur
Tholudur
S.Adhuthurai
Vathistapuram
Neivasal
Kottaikadu
Palendurai
Karamangudi
Manimutharu
Sethiathoppu
TDS (mg/l)

Figure 3 Shows the pH of the sampling sites in Vellar River
4.1.3 Electrical Conductivity (EC)
The importance of electrical conductivity (EC) is its measure of salinity, which greatly affects
the taste and has a significant impact on the user's acceptance of the water as potable (Jain
2006). The higher the ionizable solids, the greater will be the EC (Mehta and Churi 1996). The
EC values are within the range of 125– 260 mg/l for the water samples (Figure 4). EC value is
a useful indicator of the relative variation in water quality across various aquifers and, as shown
by, indicates the presence of higher salts in river water. It is correlated with TDS concentration,
and as pollution levels rise, so does its value. The electrical conductivity, suggests that the ionic
makeup of municipal discharges has an influence. The conductivity readings were higher than
what the WHO considered acceptable. Groundwater that has just undergone filtering is
chemically similar to raindrops and has low electrical conductivity. Electrical conductivity was
increased above 260 in the Chitthur site. High EC values are encountered due to the higher rate
of pollution of surface water by the flushing and leaching action of rain, which transfers the
surface contamination. The same result was inferred by Subbarao et al.,2003.
Figure 4 Shows the electrical conductivity of the sampling site from Vellar River
8.1
8.5 8.47 8.47 8.43 8.41
9.01
8.63
8.1
8.67
9.03
7.6
7.8
8
8.2
8.4
8.6
8.8
9
9.2
pH
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
EC

4.1.4 Temperature
Cuddalore district surface area and an inland water temperature range from 28.3 - 32℃ and
26.2 - 29.8℃. The mean temperature of the study area is 30 ℃ (Figure. 5). Our results suggest
that the temperature ranges between 26 to 29.5 ℃.
Figure 5 Shows the temperature of the sampling sites from Vellar River
4.1.5 Salinity
Most species in the estuarine environment live under stress either due to low or too high salinity
depending on their origin from fresh or marine areas (Prasanna Kumar et al., 2010). Salinity
varied from 0.5‰ to 7‰. The salinity range was different in every location. The salinity level
will indicate the alkalinity of the river basin. The salinity range was increased to 11.5 ppm.
The results of the present study evidenced that the occurrence of distinct bacterial diversity
was found to be greatly influenced by different nutritional characters. Our results showed a
significant correlation between seasonal variation and bio-nutritional characteristics. The
present study reveals that the Vellar River water is palatable, suitable for industrial and civic
purposes, and potable if appropriate disinfection methods are followed. The effluent from the
industrial unit has a depressive level of contamination both in quality and quantity.
4.2 Microbial Diversity
4.2.1. Isolation of Bacteria
The isolation of bacterial and fungal culture demonstrated the various type of bacterial and
fungal species present in the river sample. We monitored the bacterial diversity in the culture
plate of all twelve-sample sites. However, figure. 6 bacterial culture contains more than 5
different species such as Escherichia coli, streptococcus, salmonella typhi, Bacillus sp, and
Klebsiella pneumonia (Table. 2). Whereas, fungal cultures containing more than 8 species
(Penicillium sp, Actinomycetes Bovis, Aspergillus sp, Actinomycetes, Geotrichumsp, Israeli,
Mucor sp, Actinomycetes Meyers) were found (Table. 3).
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Kalathur
Chitthur
Tholudur
S.Adhuthurai
Vathistapuram
Neivasal
Kottaikadu
Palendurai
Karamangudi
Manimutharu
Sethiathoppu
Temperature ℃

Figure 6 Shows the isolation of bacteria from the selected water samples from Vellar River
Sub-culturing is a procedure of transferring microorganisms into a fresh nutritive medium
from the stock culture (figure 7).
Figure 7 Shows the subculture of the study. a) Continuous culture and b) show the quadrant culture
The results (Table. 2) show that Escherichia coli was the predominant bacteria along with
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Coagulase Negative. Staphylococcus (CONS) were isolated in the
present study which correlated with the study of Prabhahar et al., 2011 who isolated Escherichia
coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as the common organisms. In gram staining technique
Staphylococcus (spherical shape), Micrococcus sp., (cocci shape). Streptococcus sp., (cluster
shape) shows the gram-positive bacteria, and the Salmonella typi., (rod shape) represents gram-
negative bacteria (Table 3).
Table 2 Biochemical test from the VellarRiver
4.3 Bacterial Count
The viable bacterial count estimated ranges between 1.7 10 and 6.8 ×105
CFU/ml. Among the
12 sampling sites, five had high bacterial accuracy such as kottaikadu (11.7 ×105
CFU/ml),
Kalathur (6.8 ×105
CFU/ml), Chithur (6.2×105
CFU/ml), Manimuthar (3.3 ×105
CFU/ml) and
Vathisthapuram (5.2 ×105
CFU/ml) (Figure. 2 &3). Microorganisms have great tolerance for
pH, temperature, pressure, salinity, and water availability; thus, environmental factors greatly
influence the survival of microorganisms (Mahesh et al., 2017).
Biochemical Test Staphylococcus sp. Micrococcus sp. Streptococcus sp. Salmonella typi.
Gram stain + + + -
Indole test + - - -
Methyl red test + + - -
Voges Proskauer
test
- + + +
Citrate utilization
test
+ - + +
Shape Spherical Cocci Clusters Rod

Plate counts take use of the fact that, given the right conditions for growth, a single
microscopic cell may quickly grow into a colony that is visible to the naked eye. In order to
particularly enhance the development of target organisms and/or restrict the growth of
undesirable groups, chemicals have been added to a solid nutrient medium, where
microorganisms are cultured. For instance, fungi tend to predominate over bacteria in
environments with complex chemical compounds and a low pH.
The number of viable bacterial counts (CFUml) estimated from most of the sampling sites
was high; most of the sampling sites were high when compared with the quality of drinking
water prescribed by WHO (Savio 2015, Zeglin 2015). The decreasing influence of river bacteria
downstream suggests the RCC as a valid interpretive framework, which stipulates a continuous
gradient of physical conditions that elicit a series of biological responses, resulting in consistent
patterns of community structure and function along with the river system (Savio et al., 2015).
Microbial diversity in this river system exceeded the maximum acceptable limit set by National
River Conservation Directorate (NRCD).
Table 3 Check list bacterial and fungal species in Vellar River estuary in different sample locations
Sample site Bacteria Fungi Actinomycetes
Kalathur
Escherichia coli,
streptococcus, salmonella
typhi, bacillus sp, Klebsiella
pneumoniae.
Penicillium sp, Actinomycetes Bovis, Aspergillus
sp, Actinomycetes, Geotrichumsp, Israeli, Mucor
sp, Actinomycetes Meyers.
Chitthur
Escherichia coli,
typhi.
Tholudur
Escherichia coli,
typhi, Bacillus sp.
Penicillium sp, Actinomycetes Bovis, Geotrichumsp,
Israeli, Mucor sp, Actinomycetes Meyers.
S.Adhuthurai
Escherichia coli,
typhi, Bacillus sp.
sp, Actinomycetes, Geotrichum sp.
Vathistapuram
Escherichia coli,
streptococcus, Bacillus sp.
sp, Israeli, Mucor sp, Actinomycetes Meyers.
Neivasal
Escherichia coli,
typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Actinomycetes Bovis, Aspergillus sp,
Actinomycetes, Geotrichumsp, Israeli, Mucor sp,
Actinomycetes Meyers.
Kottaikadu
Escherichia coli,
typhi.
Penicillium sp, Actinomycetes, Geotrichumsp,
Israeli, Mucor sp, Actinomycetes Meyers.
Palendurai
Escherichia coli,
typhi, Bacillus sp.
sp, Actinomycetes.
Karamangudi
Escherichia coli, salmonella
typhi, Bacillus sp.
Manimutharu
Escherichia coli,
typhi, Bacillus sp.
Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp, Actinomycetes,
Geotrichumsp, Israeli, Mucor sp, Actinomycetes
Meyers.
Sethiathoppu
typhi, Bacillus sp.

5. CONCLUSION
The physiochemical and microbial diversity of the study suggested that the river water is
heavily contaminated with pathogenic indicators. The fluctuation in both parameters depends
upon the freshwater influx resulting in a continuous exchange of organic, inorganic, plant, and
animal matters. Microbial diversity in this river system exceeded the maximum acceptable limit
set by NRCD. Compared with the WHO (2001) directive, the overall river water quality is
classified in the D (poor) category. This is an alarming situation and immediate mitigative
actions are needed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author thanks to Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli.
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