rubber

1. ASTUDY ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF
RUBBER FACTORY EFFLUENT IN PIRACKAL
STREAM
ANEESHA RAJ P V
REG NO:65014140002

2. INTRODUCTION
• Recently pollution from the rubber processing factories has
become very serious problem in Kerala due to the reason of
modern rubber processing practices. In an average 25 liter of
effluent from every kilogram of dry rubber processed and is
released directly in to the nearby water bodies. In present study,
pollution is affected in tributary of Kallada River. In Karavaloor
panchayath a Mareena block rubbers orange categorised factory
is situated in Chudukatta junction. These factory effluents are
released directly into Pirackal stream. Considering the above
serious environmental problem faced by people residing near
the stream, an attempt and explore has been made to study the
water quality, aquatic fauna of pirackal stream and impact of
environment.

3. OBJECTIVES
• To find out the physico-chemical characteristics of
the pirackal stream.
• Identification of aquatic faunal of the Pirackal stream.
• To study the environmental pollution due to rubber
factory effluent discharge.

4. MATERIALSAND METHODS
• STUDY AREA-The present investigation was carried in Pirackal
stream and is located in Karavaloor Gramapanchayath of
Punalur Taluk in Kollam district, southern kerala. The Pirackal
stream has a length of 35 km. In this area a Mareena block
rubber (orange categorized industry) is present.
• SAMPLE COLLECTION.(Hand picking and using net)
• SAMPLE ANALYSIS – (APHA 1998) PH, Colour and odour,
Temperature, Turbidity, Dissolved oxygen, BOD & COD, Total
hardness, dissolved carbon dioxide, Ammonia and Aquatic
fauna analysis (using key).

5. RESULTS
Average Physico-ChemicalParameters of three Stationsin Pirackal Stream
Parameters Stations
S1 S2 S3
Temperature (0C) 27.66 28.6 28
Turbidity (NTU) 25.2 33.76 23.95
pH 6.81 5.90 6.8
Hardness (mg/l) 17.33 57.5 24.93
Dissolved
Oxygen(mg/l)
8 5.75 8.06
Biochemical
Oxygen
Demand(BOD)
(mg/l)
13.22 29.20 25
Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD)
(mg/ml)
31.74 82.65 51.96
Dissolved Carbon
dioxide(mg/l)
3.9 8 6.53
Ammonia (mg/ml) 15.96 42.73 31.33

6. FAUNAL DIVERSITY
The aquatic faunal diversity is higher in the S1 and S3 site.
In S1 site higher amount of Nepidae (Hemiptera), Belostomatidae
(Hemiptera), Coenagrionoidae (Odonata), Gerridae (Hemiptera)
and Cyprinidae family is dominated and a type of snail present
in S1 site that is the Melanoides turriculata.
In S2 site, pollution indicators species such as chironomids
(Diptera) and a type of snail present that is Bithynia tenttacula.
In S3 site higher amount of Corixidae (Hemiptera), Libellulidae
(Odonata), Gomophidae (Odonata) and Nepidae (Hemiptera) are
present.
In S3 site is mouth area to Kallada so that diverse fish
population obtained Some fishes like Puntius sophore and
Puntius vittatus are present and also present prawn.

7. SUMMARYAND CONCLUSION
The temperature, pH, DO, BOD and ammonia influence the
aquatic fauna diversity.
The stream water is in slightly acidic dissolved oxygen ,
ammonia and carbon dioxide is decreased in S2 site.
The aquatic faunal such as aquatic insects diversity is higher in
the S1 and S3 site.
 In S2 site occurrence of pollution tolerant species like
chironomids indicates the polluted nature of the stream.
The analysis of the physico-chemical and biological parameters
showed that the S2 site is on the verge of eutrophication.
If it is not taken up at an early stage, degradation of this valuable
ecosystem occurs in near future.