World Applied Sciences Journal 23 (10): 1309-1313, 2013 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.23.10.13159 Corresponding Authors: Sudarshan S. Pedge, Department of Zoology, Shri Shivaji College Parbhani, (MS) India. 1309 Assessment of Environmental Impact on Lonar Lake Water, (MS) India Sudarshan S. Pedge and Sunil D. Ahirrao Department of Zoology, Shri Shivaji College Parbhani, (MS) India Submitted: May 17, 2013; Accepted: Jun 29, 2013; Published: Jul 28, 2013 Abstract: Assessment of environmental impact was established to provide and evaluate the background picture of water quality of Lonar Lake water. Physico-chemical characteristics viz., atmospheric and water temperature, electric conductance (EC), total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), HCO , Cl , SO , Na , K , Ca , Mg , NO , PO and turbidity were measured and 3 4 3 4 - - 2- + + 2+ 2+ - 3- used as indicators to evaluate the water quality of lakes. Results indicated that salinity ranged between 5.75 – 5.81ppt (hypersaline water). EC 19273.5- 19493.4 µmohs/cm. TS, TDS and TSS are very high. pH values were found to be in alkaline range i.e., 9.6-9.9. Total alkalinity is very high and ranged between 2857.4 - 2948.1 mg/l. Cl and SO are very high in concentrations. Na and K are more in concentration than Ca and Mg . DO was - 2- + + 2+ 2+ 4 near to depletion. The NO and PO were also high in concentrations. Turbidity was higher in range at the time 3 4 - 3- of monsoon. It was concluded that the Lonar Lake was unique saline aquatic ecosystem due to hyper saline and alkaline water. Key words: Physico-chemical parameters Saline ecosystem Lonar Lake INTRODUCTION impact crater created by a hypervelocity impact comet or Inland saline lakes have received attention in recent The present study aimed to give complete years due to their sensitivity to climatic changes. Climatic information on the physical and chemical characteristics conditions must reach a certain degree of aridity for of Lonar Lake water. effective removing of water by evaporation or freeze drying and so produce progressively concentrated brine MATERIALS AND METHODS [1,2] Changes in evaporation rates and precipitation can affect the physical and chemical characteristics in such During this investigation 3 stations Station A (Near lakes [3]. Lonar Crater is an impact crater situated in the Kamljamata Temple), Station B (Near Ramgaya) and Buldana District of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Station C (Near the farm) were selected as sampling Geologically located at Latitude 19° 58’45’’N and stations. The distance between each station is about 500 Longitude 76°.50’ Altitude 1852 ft, of the lake is 1.83 km m to 600 m long. The collection of water samples was (6000 feet) in diameter and 170 meter in depth and its age made by using the screw capped air tight polythene is estimated to be 52000 ± 6000 years in the late Pliocene containers of 5 lit capacities. The samples were preserved [4]. Mythology associated the crater with the in an ice-box and returned immediately to the Laboratory. underground abode of demon Lonasura, who was killed The chemical parameters were determined according to by Lord Vishnu. Scientific studies were carried out in the method described in APHA [6, 7]. The atmospheric recent times attribute the probable origin of Lonar crater temperature was recorded with the help of a digital by the impact of large meteoritic body [5] It is the largest Thermo-hygrometer on the field. The water temperature impact crater in basaltic rock and partially filled by saline recorded in field with the help of degree centigrade water. It was also once thought of to be volcanic origin. thermometer ( C). pH was measured on field with the help The crater was first noticed by an Englishman, C.J.E. of Digital Pen type pH meter (Hanna). DO was determined Alexander in 1823. Lonar crater is now recognized as an by using Winklers method due to addition of Manganous meteorite. o