Chemical characteristics of natural waters of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Kerala and Karnataka - their possible utility in wildlife management

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the chemical characteristics/composition of the natural waters of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), located within Kerala and Karnataka States respectively. Waters of both localities differ significantly in their chemical characteristics and composition. The waters of NBR - Kerala are bereft of dissolved minerals in their per unit volume, irrespective of their sources and location. Calcium ions dominate within cations and bicarbonate within anions. Carbonate ions are conspicuously absent in all waters. In contrast to above, the waters of Karnataka have sufficient dissolved minerals in their per unit volume and magnesium ions are prominent within cations and chloride within anions in large number of water bodies. Carbonate ions are sufficiently present in majority of the waters. In both localities, the calcium and magnesium ions show a close resemblance in their concentration but sodium ions exhibit an erratic variation. The waters of NBR - Kerala are neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (pH 7.0-8.4) but the Karnataka waters show comparatively high alkalinity (pH 7.0-9.0). The waters of NBR - Kerala have been categorized as C1S1 class and thus, found to be highly suitable for safe use either by the flora, fauna or even by the soils of the area but the waters of NBR - Karnataka, barring a few, have been categorized as C2S1 class and thus, suitable for fauna but may create problem of alkali hazards within soils and for plant species which are susceptible to sodium ions concentration. The present study pertinently suggests that to compensate the mineral deficiency especially in carnivores, the salt-licks having sufficient minerals may be placed in the entire biosphere reserve under Kerala and within Karnataka, it may be placed within those area which are not covered by artificial tanks.