SCREENING OF INDICATOR MICROBES, A STRATEGY FOR POLLUTION ASSESSMENT OF KILLIYAR, A RIVULET OF KARAMANA RIVER, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA

Abstract

Pathogenic bacteria are ideal indicator of microbial pollution of surface water because of their quick response to
environmental changes. The present study focused on Killiyar to find out the bacteriological characteristics and their
monthly variation in the river water. Season wise sampling of water was done at three segments in Premonsoon and
monsoon. Analysis of water was done using standard microbiological procedures. The results revealed that the counts of
total coliforms and Escherichia coli are not within the standard limits so that the downstream segments of river become
unsuitable for drinking purposes and outdoor bathing without proper disinfection and treatment of water especially
during Premonsoon season. Human induced activities accumulate in the study area and causing disruption in water
quality of this precious riverine ecosystem. Immediate safe guard steps are needed for the protection of this riverine
ecosystem for present as well as for the future generations.