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Factors affecting the environmental carrying capacity of a freshwater tropical lake system

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Abstract

Environmental carrying capacity is a measure of competence of a lake to accommodate pollution inputs without degrading water quality. In the research reported here, we identified the factors influencing the environmental carrying capacity of Vellayani Lake or VL (a typical tropical freshwater lake), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State, India. R-mode factor analysis is used to identify the factors controlling the carrying capacity of the lake, whereas hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) helped to classify the lake. The carrying capacity of the lake is low with respect to alkalinity, due to ion deficiency, and is potentially reactive to sudden changes in pH. Eutrophic condition exists in the entire lake system. Acidic factor, mineralization factor, fertilizer factor (P & K), evaporation factor and organic pollution factor are the controllers of VL water quality during the pre-monsoon period. The same factors (but not evaporation factor) and an additional runoff factor control the water quality during monsoon. In the post-monsoon, the aforesaid factors (other than runoff, alkalinity) and soil erosion factor influence the water quality. Hence, managers of the lake system need to also focus on combating acidic factor during pre- and post-monsoons and runoff during monsoon. Smaller areal extent and shallow depth of VL, reduced outflow from it, less rainfall, presence of lateritic rock and soil and absence of limestone strata in the catchment are the chief elements affecting the acidic factor of Vellayani Lake.

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Acknowledgments

This research project is funded by the Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (Project No. DST-N0. SR/S3/ENGF-01/2002 Dtd. 19 August 2009; Project code – DST-206/SP-1). Dr. K.P. Thrivikramaji (Former Prof. & Head, Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Kerala, India) is thankfully acknowledged for editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 695581, India

    Vishnuprasad Mullakkezhil Reghunathan & Sabu Joseph

  2. CWRDM, Kozhikode, Kerala, India

    C. Unnikrishnan Warrier & A. Shahul Hameed

  3. Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Head Office, Thiruvananthapuram, India

    Sheela Albert Moses

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  1. Vishnuprasad Mullakkezhil Reghunathan
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Mullakkezhil Reghunathan, V., Joseph, S., Warrier, C.U. et al. Factors affecting the environmental carrying capacity of a freshwater tropical lake system. Environ Monit Assess 188, 615 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5636-1

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