Limnological features of Thirumullavaram temple pond of Kollam municipality, Kerala.

Thirumullavaram temple pond associated with Sree Mahavishnu temple is located very close to the Arabian sea in Kollam municipality of Kerala. Physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment, productivity, plankton count, coliform count and correlation coefficients of various parameters were analysed for a period of one year from June 1999 to May 2000. It showed that the water characteristics such as conductivity, turbidity, colour, pH, total alkalinity, chloride, total hardness, silicate, phosphate, nitrate, iron, sodium and potassium; primary productivity, plankton count, and sediment characteristics such as pH, organic matter, potassium and nitrate registered higher values during non-rainy season. Coliform count recorded higher value during monsoon season. From the correlation study, it was inferred that several characteristics of water, sediment and primary productivity were interrelated. Comparison of water characteristics with BIS for drinking and swimming water showed that the pond water was mainly contaminated with coliform bacteria. However, the physico-chemical characteristics indicated that it could be used as a potential water source for drinking, swimming and for secondary production after proper treatment.