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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
The lightning-fast industrial development and urban expansion in semi-arid areas of India are placing greater demands on freshwater ecosystems. This research examines the environmental resilience of surface water and its connection to plant diversity in the industrial twin cities of Surendranagar and Wadhvan, Gujarat. Water samples were collected seasonally (summer, monsoon, and winter) from the Bhogavo River and Boda Talav. These samples were analyzed for three important water quality indicators: turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), employing standard analytical methods. The findings indicated significant seasonal and spatial differences in water quality. The Bhogavo River displayed significant turbidity, particularly in the monsoon and summer seasons, while both water bodies demonstrated lower dissolved oxygen levels during summer, suggesting heightened organic pollution and microbial activity. Consistently high BOD values observed over the year indicated notable organic pollution, especially in the Bhogavo River. The assessment of plant diversity showed that pollution-tolerant species were predominant in degraded water bodies, whereas sensitive species were mostly missing, suggesting a decline in ecological resilience due to industrial pressures. This research emphasizes the importance of efficient wastewater management and consistent monitoring of surface water quality to safeguard aquatic ecosystems in areas undergoing rapid industrialization.
