Present trophic status of Anchar Lake, Kashmir: Assessment by water quality parameters

Abstract

In the present study, various physico-chemical parameters of water were assessed over a period of six months on monthly basis at different lake sites with an aim to know the present trophic status of Anchar Lake. Results showed significant increase in Free carbon dioxide (13.82±3.98 mg/l); Nitrate-nitrogen (546.33±132.30 µg/l); Ammoniacal-nitrogen (208.11±59.42 µg/l); Ortho-phosphate (217.5±68.96 µg/l) and Total Phosphorus (534.38±131.66 µg/l) indicating increased levels of pollutants in the lake due to anthropogenic pressures like discharge of sewage, agricultural runoff and urbanization. The study recommends that preventive measures should be undertaken to protect this waterbody from further degradation.