IJSRST162632 | Received: 15 Nov 2016 | Accepted: 23 Nov 2016 | November-December-2016 [(2) 6: 191-198] © 2016 IJSRST | Volume 2 | Issue 6 | Print ISSN: 2395-6011 | Online ISSN: 2395-602X Themed Section: Science and Technology 191 Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Water Quality Trends in the Middle Stretch of the River Damodar Ruma Banerjee, Apurba Ratan Ghosh Department of Environmental Science, University of Burdwan, Golapbag, West Bengal, India ABSTRACT This study focused on assessing the spatial and temporal variation of water quality trends in the middle stretch of the river Damodar. River water samples were collected from twelve different sites and analysed for various physico- chemical parameters for the assessment of water quality trends. Experimental results showed that the pH ranged from 7.0–8.53, with electrical conductivity 180–710 μS/cm. The value of cationic components (mg/l) viz., Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + and K + ranged from 12.346–30.467, 5.417–18.995, 9.425–42.962 and 1.814–12.75 respectively. The value of anionic components (mg/l) viz., SO 4 2– , Cl – , NO 3 – ranged from 8.273– 40.935, 4.786–24.698 and 0.045– 3.282 respectively. Water chemistry of the area reflects geochemical influences, aided by industrial and other anthropogenic impacts. From the study it was observed that the values of most of the parameters at all sites were least during the monsoon, when the flow volume increased greatly due to the surface runoff. The concentration of studied heavy metals was higher at the upstream of the study area which might be due to disposal of solid waste and wastewater generated from industrial activities. The study revealed that the analyzed physicochemical parameters along with heavy metals exhibited wide range of fluctuations at different locations. The changes in water quality trends in the study area were due to seasonal effects and catchment characteristics. Keywords: Damodar River, Hydrochemistry, Spatio-Temporal Variation, Water Quality, Heavy Metal I. INTRODUCTION Spatial and temporal variability in water chemistry in rivers is directly related to different factors like the natural processes [1] and anthropogenic activities [2,3]. Natural processes influencing the hydrochemistry include precipitation, weathering of rocks, and sediment transport, whereas anthropogenic activities include industrial development and urbanization in the catchment area. Various industrial activities have continuously introduced pollutants into the riverine environment and many authors have attempted to assess the chemical behavior of heavy metals and potentially toxic inorganic substances in the river system (4-14). Runoff and drainage from various nonpoint sources like agricultural fields are the major sources of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to river waters which can cause eutrophication [15-18]. According to Allan and Flecker, (1993) [19], the land use is one of the most important factors to determine the water quality which also influences aquatic resources. Contamination by different types of toxic elements through industrial discharges into the river is one of the major causes of environmental problems in the river system. The study area receives mining and industrial effluents from the collieries and industries. A Huge amount of agricultural runoff is also received by the river in the study site. The Damodar is an important peninsular Indian river, serves as a variety of purposes including drinking, agriculture and industrial needs. Industries like coke oven plants, sponge iron industries, and several coal washeries discharge their heavy metal containing effluents directly or indirectly into the upper and middle stretch of the river at different points. Heavy metals may enter into the riverine ecosystem through the indiscreet disposal of chemical and metal wastes from industrial, agricultural and mining activities and from various natural sources also. The distribution of heavy metals and toxic chemicals and their effects on the aquatic/riverine environment have been studied by various researchers [20-22]. The heavy metals in aquatic