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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Blueprint of river health: Monsoon hydrology drives water quality dynamics in the Chaliyar River, Western Ghats, India
Authors
Shamiyath Arayilakath, Karumampoyil Sakthidas Anoop Das
Abstract
This study investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of water quality
across seven sampling stations in the Chaliyar River, Western Ghats, India.
Water quality dynamics were evaluated using 23 physicochemical and microbial
parameters integrated with WQI and multivariate statistical analyses. Monsoon
hydrology emerged as the dominant driver of water quality dynamics, with
premonsoon conditions characterized by ionic enrichment and monsoon conditions
by elevated turbidity, iron, organic load and microbial contamination. WQI
ranged from 19.62 (Excellent) to 365.78 (Unsuitable), indicating severe monsoon
deterioration followed by substantial postmonsoon recovery. Correlation and PCA
identified three major hydrochemical gradients—ionic–alkalinity,
nutrient–organic enrichment and redox–oxygen—reflecting the combined influence
of seasonal hydrology and anthropogenic inputs. These findings highlight the
pivotal role of monsoon hydrology in regulating river health and provide a
scientific basis for season-specific monitoring and management of tropical
river ecosystems.
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Pages:25-30
How to cite this article:
Shamiyath Arayilakath, Karumampoyil Sakthidas Anoop Das "Blueprint of river health: Monsoon hydrology drives water quality dynamics in the Chaliyar River, Western Ghats, India". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 25-30
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