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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Analytic study of physico-chemical parameters in a selected stretch of the river Mahanadi in Odisha
Authors
Ardhendu Sekher Mallick, Dr. Prasanti Mishra
Abstract
The Mahanadi River, the largest river in Odisha, traverses
approximately 851 km through the state before discharging into the Bay of
Bengal. The present study assessed the physico-chemical characteristics of the
river water from April 2023 to May 2025 across three seasons: pre-monsoon,
monsoon and post-monsoon to evaluate its suitability for domestic,
agricultural, and ecological purposes. Water samples were collected from seven
locations: Hirakud at Sambalpur district. (R1), Thengo Dam at Sonepur district.
(R2), the Mahanadi River near the Rameswar temple in Boudh district. (R3), Satakosia Gorge at Angul district. (R4), Mahanadi River near Dhableswar temple in Cuttack
district. (R5), Naraj Dam in the Cuttack district.
(R6), the Mahanadi River in Jagatsinghpur district.
(R7). A total of sixteen key physicochemical parameters were analysed, i.e.,
water temperature, turbidity, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved
oxygen, biological oxygen demand, Free CO2. The seasonal variations
indicated higher turbidity during the monsoon due to runoff and suspended
sediments, while DO and pH were relatively higher during winter, reflecting
enhanced aeration and lower biological activity. Spatially, upstream sites
(R1–R3) showed better water quality compared to downstream stations (R6–R7),
which exhibited higher BOD levels, indicating moderate organic pollution from
urban and agricultural inputs. Overall, the Water Quality Index (WQI) ranged
from 65.4 to 78.2, signifying good to moderately polluted conditions. The
results suggest that while the Mahanadi River water remains largely suitable
for irrigation and general domestic use after treatment, localised
anthropogenic pressures in downstream stretches require effective management
and continuous monitoring to sustain river health.
Pages:19-25
How to cite this article:
Ardhendu Sekher Mallick, Dr. Prasanti Mishra "Analytic study of physico-chemical parameters in a selected stretch of the river Mahanadi in Odisha". International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 19-25
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