2654 Advances in Environmental Biology, 6(10): 2654-2662, 2012 ISSN 1995-0756 This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed ORIGINAL ARTICLE Corresponding Author Prof. M. Yunus, Head, Department of Environmental Science, BBA Central University Lucknow, U.P., India. Seasonal Variations of Physico-chemical Characteristics in several Ponds of Lucknow city affected by Urban Drainage 1 Mohd. Muzamil Bhat, 2 Kamini Narain, 2 Ateeq Ahmad, 1 R. N. Shukla and 2 M. Yunus 1 School of Environmental Biology, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa (M.P.) 2 Department of Environmental Science, BBA (A Central) University, Lucknow (U.P.) Mohd. Muzamil Bhat, Kamini Narain, Ateeq Ahmad, R.N. Shukla and M. Yunus: Seasonal Variations of Physico-chemical Characteristics in several Ponds of Lucknow city affected by Urban Drainage ABSTRACT The study reports the seasonal changes in water quality of urban lentic water bodies (ponds) of Lucknow city. Owing to the unplanned development and urbanization, the ponds of this city are struggling for their existence. In spite of the global alarm for restoration of the water bodies, the ponds in the city are facing neglectance. For the study period four ponds were selected and the parameters analyzed were- electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, sulphide, residual chlorine and free CO 2 . The study concludes that the water quality of ponds of Lucknow city is polluted as the results are above the permissible limits. The city sewage discharge, agriculture and urban runoff and continuous dumping of waste materials especially sanitary waste are affecting the water quality of these urban water bodies. There is considerable need for better understanding of these small impoundments so that they can be managed effectively. Keywords: Agricultural runoff, Seasonal changes, Sewage, Sanitary waste, Urbanization, Water quality Introduction Fresh water is a critical, finite, vulnerable, renewable resource on the earth and plays an important role in our living environment, without it, life is impossible. Studies of urban pond ecology have mostly concentrated on physicochemical characteristics. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, increasing human population, economic activities as well as shortcomings in their management have resulted in more pollutants being introduced into watercourses. An increasing number of surface water bodies have come under serious threat of degradation. The global freshwater resources are under increasing pressure [1]. The anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems has become a crucial topic of increasing concern. It is, therefore, necessary to have most relevant information for arriving at rational decisions that will result in the maximum benefit to most people. Accurate and reliable information on the water resource system can, therefore, be a vital aid to strategic management of the resources [2]. Ponds have been used since time immemorial as traditional source of water supply in India. However, the water of the ponds, lakes and river is polluted mainly due to discharged waste water from residential areas, sewage outlets, solid wastes, detergents, automobile oil wastes, fishing facilities and agricultural pesticides from farmlands [3,4]. In recent years, their importance has somewhat declined due to technological advancements leading to more centralized water supply systems. There is a relationship among ecologists and microplanners about the importance of conservation of ponds as sustainable source of water for rural communities [5]. Quality of an aquatic ecosystem is dependent on the physicochemical qualities of water and also on the biological diversity of the system [6,7,8]. Industrialization, urbanization and modern agriculture practices have direct impact on the water resources. These factors influence the water resources quantitatively and qualitatively [9]. The water bodies of Lucknow, Unnao and Kanpur (U.P.), India polluted through various point and non point sources were found to be either eutrophic or oligotrophic in nature. These water bodies supported a great number of algal diversity, which varied seasonally depending upon the physicochemical properties of water. Further, the water bodies polluted through non point sources supports diverse algal species, while the water bodies polluted through point sources supports growth of tolerant blue green algae [10]. Districts of Lucknow, Unnao and Kanpur are very rich in water resources due to prevalence of a great variety of geological and climatic conditions. These districts receive normal rainfall and experience subtropical climate with two