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QUARTERLY 

4(2&3) : 227-234, 2010 

WATER QUALITY AT TWO SPRING SITES AND AT SITES BEFORE 

WATER DISCHARGE INTO NAGROTA NULLAH, NEAR KASHMIR 

MIGRANT QUARTERS, NAGROTA, JAMMU 

S. P. S. DUTTA, N. JANDIAL* AND M. KHAJURIA 

Department of Environment Sciences, 

University of Jammu, Jammu - 180 004, J and K, INDIA 

E-mail: nidhijee@hotmail.com 

INTRODUCTION 

Springs, natural outlets of subsurface water, are not only the important sources 

of water to the lakes and rivers, but even origin of some streams and rivers is 

from such water bodies. Thermostatic and chemostatic spring water is used by 

aquaculturists for trout and other fish culture. Some springs like Anantnag, 

Mutton, Bhaderwah, Akhnoor, Basohli, Katra, Jhandi, etc. have religious 

importance attached to them and are the important fish sanctuaries in J and K 

state. Fish restocking in rivers like Jehlum, Kashmir and Chenab, Tawi and Ravi 

rivers, Jammu region, is through these fish sanctuaries, situated along these lotic 

water bodies. Importance of spring in having medicinal properties has also 

been well recorded (Newbold, 1848; Buist, 1851; Macpherson, 1855 and 

Schlagistweit, 1862). Inspite of wide distribution and great importance of these 

springs, detailed water quality characteristics reports are scanty (Dutta et al., 

1995a, b, 2002, 2009; Slathia et al., 2001 and Gupta et al., 2009) for Jammu 

Region. Taking this all into consideration, one year water quality characteristics 

of two springs, near Migrant camp, Nagrota, at their source and before water 

discharge into Nagrota nullah, Jammu, were undertaken and have been 

described. 

Topography 

Nagrota town, located at a distance of 12km from Jammu city, is drained by 

Nagrota nullah (Fig. 1). It is an important tributary of the river Tawi and is fed by 

a large number of widely scattered springs. For the present study, two springs at 

their origin (Figs. 1a and 1b) and at sites before water discharge into Nagrota 

stream (Figs. 2a and 2b), located at a distance of 15feet from spring sites, were 

selected for detailed water quality analysis. 

ABSTRACT 

Water quality parameters viz., temperature, 

turbidity, pH, DO, COD, BOD, HCO 3 

, Ca ++ , 

Mg ++ , total Hardness, Na + , K + , Silicate, 

Phosphate, Nitrate, electrical conductivity and 

TDS were analysed for one year viz. January, 

2003 – December, 2003 at two spring sites and 

at sites away from springs, before water discharge 

into Nagrota nullah, Jammu and have been 

described. Comparison of water quality 

parameters with national and international 

standards has revealed these within optimum 

limits for consumption. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Monthly water samples for one year viz. January, 2003 to December, 2003 

monthly, were collected at origin of springs and at sites, before water discharge 

into Nagrota nullah, in plastic container and analysed for various physicochemical 

characteristics by standard methods (APHA, 1998). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

The results of water quality parameters at spring sites, at sites before water 

discharge into Nagrota nullah and their mean have been shown in Tables 1-6. 

Air temperature, at spring sites and at sites away from springs, recorded an 

annual mean variation of 15.3ºC, January, 2003 - 39.0ºC , May, 2003 and 

15.8ºC, January, 2003 - 38.0ºC, May, 2003, respectively. 

At spring sites and sites before water discharge into Nagrota stream water 

temperature, due to thermostatistics characteristics, recorded an annual 

KEY WORDS 

Water quality 

Twosprings 

Nagrota 

Jammu 

Received : 12.12.2009 

Revised : 17.03.2010 

Accepted : 21.07.2010 

*Corresponding author 

227

S. P. S. DUTTA AND N. JANDIAL 

Table 1: Monthly variations in physico-chemical parameters at spring site-I, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 - December, 2003) 

Parameters Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.5 20 25 35 38.5 29 33 22 31 29 25 16.5 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 22.5 21 22 25 24 26 28 31 26 27 26 23 

Turbidity (NTU) 7.5 3 2.5 6 3 2.5 0 3 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 

pH 6.94 7.12 6.87 6.93 6.91 6.87 7.05 6.70 6.67 6.92 7.12 7.04 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 29.2 15.1 30.3 27.3 32.1 35.5 21.9 36.0 47.1 27.9 18.2 19.5 

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 5.6 8.5 6.7 5.0 1.1 1.6 4.5 2.15 5.2 10.5 10.9 2.9 

Bicarbonate (mg/L) 335.1 358.4 223.1 278.7 303.2 315.0 359.8 348.2 318.8 425.9 319.7 417.9 

Chloride (mg/L) 38.33 38.8 30.9 37.9 58.7 34.3 13.4 18.3 25.5 31.9 37.9 21.0 

Calcium (mg/L) 105.9 120.2 165.3 89.6 83.1 21.9 114.1 80.0 72.3 38.0 63.7 101.4 

Magnesium (mg/L) 23.42 20.3 10.6 28.7 17.4 19.4 19.5 16.3 41.6 18.6 16.5 16.1 

Total Hardness (mg/L) 355.4 383.7 497.3 341.9 279.3 135.0 365.2 266.8 352.0 172.7 180.5 319.2 

Potassium (mg/L) 2.5 3.0 4.0 2.5 4.0 3.0 4.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 4.0 2.5 

Sodium (mg/L) 34 34 34.5 35 40 38 36 26 25 34 38 44.5 

Silicate (mg/L) 1.2 4.1 8 8.6 2.2 12 3.0 3.4 8.9 11.6 5.6 7.4 

Nitrate (mg/L) 3.75 5.75 3.25 2.75 4.50 10.0 12.0 6.50 2.50 1.50 0.25 1.00 

Phosphate (mg/L) 0.1 0.01 0.11 0.13 0.03 0.08 0.2 0.06 0.22 0.08 0.09 0.11 

Sulphate (mg/L) 23.5 29.0 22.5 44 16.5 22.0 34.5 5.5 12.0 20.0 16.0 10.14 

BOD 1.2 2.8 1.2 2 0.2 0.2 3.2 0.25 1.1 1.2 3.3 1.2 

COD 9.64 13.6 11.9 13.6 19.5 18.7 20.7 17.6 20.4 32.6 31.5 33.2 

Conductivity (ms) 0.521 0.408 0.464 0.378 229 0.465 0.351 0.348 0.330 0.457 0.408 0.475 

Salinity (ppt) 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.50 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 0.280 0.219 0.190 0.202 0.229 0.237 0.230 0.186 0.330 0.239 0.221 0.234 

Table 2: Monthly variations in physico-chemical parameters at spring site-II, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 - December, 2003) 

Parameters Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.5 20 25 35 38 29 32 22 30.5 29 23 17 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 21.5 20.5 22.5 24 25 26.5 26.75 29 26 28 25 24 

Turbidity (NTU) 3 2.5 15 8 6 15 10 2.5 6 3 0 3 

pH 6.96 7.21 6.94 6.99 6.94 6.97 7.3 6.83 6.67 7.02 7.21 7.14 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 22.3 19.9 23.8 23.3 23.0 32.2 15.7 32.0 34.1 14.1 19.1 17.9 



Chloride (mg/L) 38.8 38.3 33.5 33.1 53.5 33.7 15.5 22.7 25.5 28.4 33.1 19.7 

Calcium (mg/L) 101.4 117.5 158.8 80.8 81.4 27.0 95.8 85.8 76.0 34.3 63.7 106.2 

Magnesium (mg/L) 21.95 25.4 19.2 25.5 21.5 18.4 14.2 17.1 35.0 18.6 2.2 21.9 


Potassium (mg/L) 2.0 2.5 4.0 2.5 3.0 2.5 3.0 0.05 1.0 2.5 3 2.5 

Sodium (mg/L) 34.5 38.5 36 34.5 40 32.5 14.5 23 14 30 36.5 44.5 

Silicate (mg/L) 3.1 5.3 7.1 7.7 3.9 11.2 11.2 2.8 4.3 10.8 3.3 10.3 

Nitrate (mg/L) 3.50 5 3 4.50 3.25 6.50 4.25 3.50 1.75 3.0 0.25 4.50 

Phosphate (mg/L) .05 .02 .03 .09 .01 .08 .01 .08 .01 .04 .08 .08 

Sulphate (mg/L) 28 23 13.5 40.5 49 25 30.7 15.5 6.5 15.5 15.5 13 

BOD 3.2 5.4 1.9 3.0 1.1 2.9 4.1 1.44 1.2 0.2 4.2 1.1 

COD 19.28 3.1 11.9 4.5 6.52 12.4 25.3 26.4 20.4 52.1 5.7 33.2 

Conductivity (ms) .558 .207 .319 .365 .457 .453 .339 .334 .330 .474 .394 .309 

Salinity (ppt) .6 .4 .4 .4 .4 .4 .3 .3 .4 .4 .4 .5 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) .285 .207 .189 .191 .234 .235 .187 .334 .208 2.30 .218 .244 

difference of 8.7ºC (19.8ºC, February, 2003 - 28.5ºC, July, 

2003) and 9.0ºC (19.5ºC, February, 2003 - 28.5ºC, August, 

2003), respectively. Heating and cooling of water, during its 

flow from spring source to the point of entry of water into 

Nagrota stream, may explain more annual difference in water 

temperature at sites before water discharge into Nagrota stream. 

This is in agreement with the observations of Kumar (2002). 

Seasonally, air and water temperature, recorded summer viz. 

May-September (2003) increase and winter viz. January and 

February (2003) trough (Tables 5-6) and is in accordance to 

228

WATER QUALITY AT TWO SPRING SITES 

Table 3: Monthly variations in physico-chemical parameters at site away from spring-I, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 - December, 2003) 


Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.25 18 28 37 39.5 31 35 32 28.5 29.5 23 17.25 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 19.75 18.75 21.75 25.75 27 29 29 29 28 27 24 21 

Turbidity (NTU) 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 6 6 3 7.5 0 2.5 

pH 7.47 7.36 7.08 7.07 6.93 6.93 7.08 6.83 7.0 7.16 7.26 7.19 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 10.1 13.6 25.6 30.4 36 33.2 21.9 32.6 22.9 20.4 17.2 22.6 



Chloride (mg/L) 14.5 21.5 21.3 22.2 26.2 13.2 5.9 12.4 18.4 24.1 22.2 9.0 

Calcium (mg/L) 96.6 92.3 148.7 82.6 67.8 18.6 67.9 66.0 76.0 38.0 56.5 101.4 

Magnesium (mg/L) 36.5 30.5 26.0 23.9 33.9 23.5 34.3 27.5 39.4 24.1 14.3 16.1 


Potassium (mg/L) 1.0 1.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.5 3 2.5 

Sodium (mg/L) 17.5 19.5 19.5 19.5 20.5 20 31.5 14.5 14.5 24 26 27 

Silicate (mg/L) 1.8 7.6 10.9 10.8 1.6 4 8.9 4.2 6.8 8.9 7.6 9.5 

Nitrate (mg/L) 1.75 2 0.1 3.25 1.25 6.0 2.0 3.75 0.50 6.0 .20 2.5 

Phosphate (mg/L) .04 .03 .06 .08 .05 .07 .06 .04 .05 .06 .18 .19 

Sulphate (mg/L) 2.5 23 13 46 44.2 14 27.5 5 16 20 34 24 

BOD 0.7 1.5 0.7 2.4 0.4 0.2 2.2 0.7 1.8 1.4 1.4 0.7 

COD 9.64 13.6 2.7 13.6 13.0 3.1 6.9 26.4 6.8 19.5 23.6 24.9 


Salinity (ppt) .5 .4 .3 .3 .3 .4 .3 .3 .3 .5 .4 .5 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) .244 .167 .178 .188 .216 .213 1.76 .160 .204 .253 .225 .239 

Table 4: Monthly variations in physico-chemical parameters at site away from spring-II, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 – December, 2003) 


Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.25 18 27.5 36 39.5 31 32.5 21.5 32 28.5 23.5 17.25 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 19.5 18.5 22.5 26 29 29 30 28 30 27 24 21 

Turbidity (NTU) 3.0 2.5 10 7.5 6 10 11.2 7.5 7.5 7.5 2.5 2.5 

pH 7.09 7.51 7.26 7.47 7.38 7.21 7.16 7.16 6.96 7.34 7.58 7.34 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 16.5 12.5 15.6 14.1 14.4 21.1 27.2 14.9 32.9 23.4 20.2 18.6 



Chloride (mg/L) 15.0 16.3 20.4 22.2 24.9 15.8 15.3 8.8 18.4 25.5 22.2 10.0 

Calcium (mg/L) 91.7 92.3 145.3 56.2 59.4 18.8 102.8 74.9 114.0 52.4 56.5 111.1 

Magnesium (mg/L) 32.20 28.8 32.3 46.8 37.0 27.6 24.2 17.4 39.4 15.3 18.7 19.0 


Potassium (mg/L) 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.5 2.0 2.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.5 2.0 

Sodium (mg/L) 18 19 19 19 21.5 19.5 34 10.5 25 23.5 25.5 26 

Silicate (mg/L) 4.4 .4 11 8.0 2.9 13.7 3.7 3.7 7.3 .05 10.3 14.1 

Nitrate (mg/L) 1.25 0.25 1 2.50 2.50 6.0 11.25 4.0 1.50 9.75 0.50 6.50 

Phosphate (mg/L) .04 .05 .07 .12 .03 .03 .16 .07 .01 .05 .16 .03 

Sulphate (mg/L) 10.2 18.5 12.5 22.5 5.9 11.5 41 4.5 13.5 15 15.5 19 

BOD 1.2 5.4 1.6 4.2 2.1 1.2 4.0 0.1 2.4 1.4 1.4 0.7 

COD 9.64 3.1 2.7 9.08 13.0 21.8 39.1 35.2 39.4 19.5 31.5 24.9 


Salinity (ppt) .5 .4 .3 .3 .3 .4 .4 .3 .3 .5 .4 .5 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) .241 .165 .172 .187 .211 .211 .222 .167 .206 .251 .221 .239 

the observations of Sarwar et al. (1998); Dutta et al. (1995b, 

2002, 2009 and 2010), Slathia et al. (2001) and Gupta et al. 

(2009). 

Annual difference of turbidity at spring sites (4.0 NTU) and at 

sites away from springs (11.0 NTU) is low in comparison to 

the findings of Sharma and Verma (2003) from some springs 

(0-40 NTU) at Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. This may be 

attributed to low discharge and turbulence of spring water. 

Agitation and suspension of sediments during water flow, after 

its discharge from springs, qualitative and quantitative 

229


Table 5: Monthly mean variation in physico-chemical parameters at spring sites I & II, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 - December, 2003) 


Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.3 19.0 26.5 36.0 39.0 30.0 34.0 22.0 29.7 29.2 24.0 16.8 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 21.1 19.8 21.8 25.3 25.5 27.5 28.5 27.7 27.0 27.0 25.0 22.0 

Turbidity (NTU) 5.00 3.00 2.50 4.25 3.00 2.50 3.00 4.50 2.75 5.25 1.25 2.50 

pH 7.20 7.24 6.97 7.00 6.92 6.90 7.06 6.76 6.83 7.04 7.19 7.11 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 19.6 21.9 27.9 28.8 34.0 34.3 21.9 34.3 35.0 24.1 17.6 21.05 



Chloride (mg/L) 26.4 30.1 26.1 30.0 30.2 23.7 19.65 15.3 21.9 28.0 30.05 15.00 

Calcium (mg/L) 101.2 106.2 157.0 86.1 75.4 20.2 91.0 73.0 74.15 38.0 60.1 101.4 

Magnesium (mg/L) 29.2 25.4 18.3 26.3 25.6 21.4 26.5 21.9 40.5 21.3 15.4 16.1 


Potassium (mg/L) 1.75 2.25 3.25 2.25 3.00 2.50 3.00 1.25 1.75 2.50 3.50 2.50 

Sodium (mg/L) 25.7 26.7 27.0 27.2 30.2 29.0 33.7 20.2 19.70 29.0 32.0 35.75 

Silicate (mg/L) 1.50 5.85 9.45 9.70 1.90 13.00 5.95 3.80 7.85 10.25 6.60 8.45 

Nitrate (mg/L) 2.75 3.87 1.67 3.00 2.87 8.00 7.00 5.12 1.50 3.75 0.22 1.75 

Phosphate (mg/L) 0.07 0.02 0.08 0.10 0.04 0.07 0.13 0.05 0.13 0.07 0.13 0.15 

Sulphate (mg/L) 13.0 26.0 28.5 45.0 30.3 18.0 31.0 5.25 14.00 20.00 25.00 17.00 

BOD 0.55 2.10 0.50 2.20 0.30 0.20 2.70 0.475 1.45 1.30 2.35 0.95 

COD 9.64 13.60 7.30 13.60 16.20 10.90 13.80 22.00 13.60 26.00 27.50 29.00 

Conductivity (ms) 0.510 0.370 0.400 0.380 0.332 0.445 0.400 0.341 0.362 0.481 0.424 0.443 

Salinity (ppt) 0.55 0.40 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.40 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.45 0.40 0.50 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 0.262 0.193 0.184 0.195 0.222 0.225 0.203 0.173 0.267 0.246 0.223 0.236 

Table 6: Monthly mean variation in physico-chemical parameters at sites away from spring I & II, Nagrota, Jammu (January, 2003 - December, 

2003) 


Air Temperature ( 0 C) 15.8 19.0 26.2 35.5 38.7 30.0 32.2 21.7 31.2 28.7 23.2 17.1 

Water Temperature ( 0 C) 20.5 19.5 22.5 25.0 27.0 27.7 28.3 28.5 28.0 27.5 24.5 22.5 

Turbidity (NTU) 3.0 2.5 12.5 7.75 6.0 12.5 10.6 5.0 6.75 5.25 1.25 2.75 

pH 7.02 7.36 7.10 7.23 7.16 7.09 7.23 6.99 6.81 7.18 7.35 7.24 

Free CO 2 

(mg/L) 19.4 16.2 19.7 18.7 18.7 26.6 21.4 23.4 33.5 18.7 19.6 18.2 



Chloride (mg/L) 26.9 27.3 26.9 27.6 31.6 24.7 15.4 15.7 21.9 26.9 27.6 14.8 

Calcium (mg/L) 96.5 104.9 152.0 68.5 70.4 22.9 99.3 80.3 95.0 43.3 60.1 108.6 

Magnesium (mg/L) 27.07 27.1 25.7 36.1 29.2 23.0 19.2 17.2 37.2 16.9 10.4 20.3 


Potassium (mg/L) 1.50 2.00 3.00 2.00 2.50 2.25 3.50 0.52 1.00 2.25 2.75 2.25 

Sodium (mg/L) 26.2 28.7 27.5 26.7 30.7 26.0 24.2 16.7 19.0 26.7 31.0 35.2 

Silicate (mg/L) 3.75 2.85 9.05 1.85 3.40 12.45 7.45 3.25 5.80 5.42 6.80 12.20 

Nitrate (mg/L) 2.37 2.26 2.00 3.50 2.87 6.25 7.75 3.75 1.62 6.37 0.37 5.50 

Phosphate (mg/L) .04 .03 .05 .10 .02 .05 .08 .07 .01 .04 .12 .05 

Sulphate (mg/L) 19.1 20.7 13.0 31.5 27.4 18.2 35.8 10.0 10.0 15.25 15.50 16.0 

BOD 14.46 3.10 7.00 6.79 9.76 17.1 32.2 30.8 29.9 35.8 23.6 29.05 

COD 2.2 5.4 1.7 3.60 1.6 2.0 4.5 0.77 1.8 0.8 2.8 0.9 

Conductivity (ms) 0.522 0.268 0.330 0.366 0.441 0.438 0.341 0.331 0.369 0.489 0.412 0.351 

Salinity (ppt) 0.55 0.40 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.35 0.45 0.40 0.50 

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) .263 .186 .180 .189 .222 .223 .204 .250 .207 .240 .219 .241 

planktonic richness in the segments between spring sites and 

at sites away from springs may explain comparatively higher 

records of turbidity at sites before water discharge into Nagrota 

nullah. 

Turbidity, at spring sites, recorded January, April, August and 

October increase. At sites, before water discharge into Nagrota 

nullah, it observed bimodal viz. March and June increase. 

Increased water discharge and agitation may explain August 

(Monsoon) and October (Post-Monsoon) increase in turbidity 

at spring sites. Presence of dead algal mats, in the segments 

230


Figure 1a: Shows origin of spring site 1 

Figure 2b: General view of spring 1 before spring water discharge 

into Nagrota nullah 

Figure 1b: General view of spring site 2 

Figure 2a: General view of spring 2 before water discharge into 

Nagrota nullah 

between springs sites and at sites before water discharge into 

Nagrota nullah, may explain March and June rise in turbidity 

(Fig. 2c). 

Chemical parameters 

pH, at spring sites and at sites before water discharge into 

Nagrota nullah, recorded narrow annual mean variation 

between 6.9-7.24 and 6.81-7.36, respectively and coincided 

with perennial free CO 2 

presence and carbonate absence 

(Welch, 1952; Reid and Wood, 1976; Cole, 1975; Jhingran, 

1991 and Wetzel, 2001). 

Figure 2c: General view of segment between spring site 1 and before 

water discharge into Nagrota nullah 

Present annual mean range of free CO 2 

at spring sites (17.6 

mg/L, November 2003 to 35.0 mg/L, September, 2003) and at 

sites before water discharge into Nagrota nullah(16.2 mg/L, 

February, 2003 to 33.5 mg/L, May, 2003) is low in comparison 

to the earlier observations of Tanti and Saha (1992), from 

thermal springs of Rajgir (92 - 116 ppm), Bihar, Patralekh 

(1994), from hot springs of Kharagpur (31.6 - 133 ppm), Bihar, 

Slathia et al. (2001) from Rehtari Spring (68.82 - 99.97 mg/L), 

Udhampur, Jammu, Dutta et al. (2002), from Bhillan spring 

(64.85 - 94.28 mg/L), Udhampur, Jammu, Kumar (2002), from 

Tatoi thermal spring (61 - 75 mg/L), Pargand district, Jharkhand 

and Bhat and Yousuf (2002), from seven springs (22 - 46 mg/ 

L), Kashmir. This has its correlation with shallowness, 

reheocrene nature of springs, low deposits of dead organic 

matter and calcareous rocks presence in catchment area of 

Nagrota springs. 

Present record of free CO 2 

at sites before water discharge into 

Nagrota stream is low as compared to spring sites. Rapid fall in 

free CO 2 

, along a rheocrene spring gradient, has also been 

reported by Saha (1993) and Kumar (2002) and is due to: 

i) Water agitation and rapid diffusion of free CO 2 

. 

ii) Release of pressure as the water comes out of fissure, and 

iii) Utilization of CO 2 

during photosynthesis by algal mats 

present in the intermediate segments. 

Effect of rains may explain monsoon (June – September) 

231


comparatively higher record of free CO 2 

in spring water (Tables 

1-6). 

At spring sites and at sites away from springs, DO recorded an 

annual difference of 9.7 mg/L and 7.5 mg/L, respectively. 

Shallowness and rheocrene nature of springs may account 

for wide variation in DO in comparison to the early observation 

of Dutta et al. (2002) from Bhillan Spring (1.9 - 4.8 mg/L), 

Udhampur, Jammu, Kumar (2002) from thermal springs of 

Tantoi, Jharkhand (0.8 - 2.5 mg/L), Dutta et al. (2009) from two 

springs adjacent to chatha nullah, (1.77-3.75mg/L), Jammu 

and Gupta et al. (2009) from a spring adjacent to river Tawi, 

Near Nagrota, Bye Pass, (4.64 - 8.71 mg/L), Jammu. 

Record of DO, at site before water discharge into Nagrota 

stream is higher in comparison to the spring sites. This is in 

agreement with the findings of Saha (1993) and Kumar (2002) 

and has its correlation with 

i) Physical aeration of water, 

ii) Rich diversity and density of phytoplankton seen in the 

segments away from springs, and 

iii) Low record of free CO 2 

. 

Seasonally, at spring sites and at sites away from springs, DO 

recorded trimodal viz. February, July and November increase 

and May, June and August trough. Its highest and lowest valve 

is seen in the month of November and May, respectively at 

spring sites. At sites away from springs, DO recorded 

November highest and August lowest record. Post-Monsoon 

increased turbulence, due to high water discharge, may explain 

November highest record of DO at both the experimental 

sites. 

BOD and COD, at spring sites and at sites before water 

discharge into Nagrota stream, varied between 0.2-2.7 mg/L 

and 0.77-5.4 mg/L and 7.3-29.0 mg/L and 3.1-35.8 mg/L, 

respectively. Present analysis has revealed comparatively a 

high record of BOD and COD in water sample collected at 

sites away from springs, in comparison to spring sites, and 

may be attributed to the presence of algal mats in segments 

between two experimental sites (Patel and Sinha, 1998). 

Seasonally, BOD recorded February, April, July and November 

increase, at both the experimental sites. Highest record of 

BOD is seen in July at spring sites and in December at sites 

away from springs. July rise in BOD, at both these experimental 

sites, is most probably caused by monsoon showers, when 

large quantities of dead organic matter infiltrate from top soil. 

Monsoon highest value of BOD may also explain the highest 

biological activity at high temperature (Agarwal et al., 1976; 

Bhargava, 1985). 

Seasonally COD recorded tetra modal increase both at spring 

sites (February, May, August and December) and at sites before 

water discharge into Nagrota stream (January, July, October 

and December). At spring sites, it recorded December highest 

and March lowest record. Whereas, its highest record is 

noticed in the month of October and lowest in the month of 

February at sites away from springs (Tables 5-6). 

Bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and total hardness at spring 

sites, recorded an annual mean difference of 206.8 mg/L, 136.8 

mg/L, 25.1 mg/L and 366.5 mg/L, respectively. At sites away 

from the springs, these showed an annual mean difference of 

138.9 mg/L, 129.1 mg/L, 26.8 mg/L and 368.7 mg/L, 

respectively. These observations are different from the earlier 

records of Tanti and Saha (1992) from thermal springs of Rajgir 

(bicarbonate: 56-189 mg/L), Bihar, Patralekh (1994) in hot 

springs (calcium: 3-4.5 mg/L, magnesium: 0.12-1.6 mg/L, total 

hardness: 10-16.4 mg/L), Kharagpur, Bihar, Slathia et al. (2001), 

from Rehtari Spring (bicarbonate: 78.18 – 109.6 mg/L, calcium: 

41-93 – 57.03 mg/L, magnesium 10.58 – 15.95 mg/L and 

total hardness 148.10 – 196.92 mg/L), Udhampur, Jammu, 

Dutta et al. (2002) from Bhillan Spring (bicarbonate: 78.18 – 

130.46 mg/L, calcium: 36.15-61-41 mg/L, magnesium 4.62- 

19.9 mg/L, total hardness 122.7 – 201.7 mg/L), Udhampur, 

Jammu, Dutta et al. (2009) (bicarbonate: 342.8-390.35mg/L, 

calcium: 51.68-99.92mg/L, magnesium: 17.46-35.36mg/L, 

total hardness 128.87-394.82mg/L) from two springs adjacent 

to chatha nullah, Jammu and Gupta et al. (2009) (bicarbonate: 

87.48 – 253.61 mg/L, calcium: 21.31 – 54.48 mg/L, 

magnesium 5.85 – 18.23 mg/L, total hardness 83.92 – 206.5 

mg/L) from a spring adjacent to river Tawi, Nagrota, Jammu. 

Bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and total hardness 

enrichment in these springs, as compared to the findings of 

some earlier workers, (op cit.) may be attributed, to the flow of 

subsurface water through calcareous rocks and perennial free 

CO 2 

presence converting insoluble marls into soluble 

bicarbonate: 

CO 2 

+ H 2 

O H 2 

CO 3 

CaCO 3 

+ H 2 

CO 3 

→ Ca (HCO 3 

) 2 

Presence of algal mats in the segments between springs and 

sites away from springs may explain low record of these 

nutrients at latter sites. 

Potassium and sodium, at spring sites, recorded an annual 

mean variation of 1.25 – 3.5 mg/L and 19.7 – 35.7 mg/L, 

respectively. At sites away from springs, sodium observed an 

annual variation of 16.7 – 35.2 mg/L, whereas potassium 

showed an annual fluctuation of 0.52 – 3.5 mg/L. 

An observation of Tables 5 and 6 reveal wide variation and 

low record of sodium and potassium at sites before water 

discharge into Nagrota nullah in comparison to spring sites. 

Rich phytophanktonic diversity and density in segment 

between two experimental sites (Mickle and Wetzel, 1978a 

and Barko, 1982) may explain present low record of sodium 

and postassium (Fig. 2c). 

Sodium showed its lowest and highest valve in the month of 

August and December at both the experimental sites. Dilution 

caused by monsoon, due to increased flush from springs may 

explain August lowest observation of sodium and potassium. 

Silicate, phosphate and nitrate at spring sites and at down 

stream recorded an annual variation of 1.5 – 13.0 mg/L and 

2.85 – 12.45 mg/L, 0.02 – 0.15 mg/L and 0.01 – 0.12 mg/L, 

0.22 – 8 mg/L and 0.37 – 7.75 mg/L, respectively. This range 

of silicate and phosphate is high in comparison to the 

observation of Jamwal (1998), from a spring (silicate: 0.036 – 

0.136 mg/L, phosphate: 0.000068 – 0.0092 mg/L) near village 

Chatha, Jammu, Sarin (1998) from a spring (silicate: 0.03-0.136 

mg/L, phosphate: 0.0007-0.064 mg/L) adjacent to Behllol 

nullah, Jammu and Dutta et al. (2009), from two springs 

adjacent to chatha nullah, (silicate: 0.016-3.021mg/L, nitrate: 

0.024-3.94mg/L, phosphate: 0.004-0.0077mg/L). Present 

232


observations are, however, low, when compared to the 

findings of Jana (1973), from the thermal springs of Bakreshwar 

(silicate: 12-40 ppm, phosphate: 0.02 – 1.50 ppm), Birbhum, 

India. 

Presence of algal mats in the segment between these two 

experimental sites may account for low record of silica, 

phosphorous and nitrate in water samples collected at sites 

before water discharge into Nagrota stream, as compared to 

spring sites and is in agreement with the findings of Saha (1993) 

and Kumar (2002). 

An observation of Tables 5 and 6 reveals April, June, October 

and December rise in silicate at spring sites. It recorded June 

highest and January lowest observation. In the water sample 

collected at sites before spring water discharge into Nagrota 

stream silicate recorded March, June, September and 

December increase. Lowest and highest record of silicate is 

seen in the month of February and June, respectively (Tables 

5 and 6). June highest record of silica coincided with 

premonsoon rains. Silicate enrichment during rains has also 

been earlier reported by Saha (1993), Kumar (2002) and Dutta 

et al. (2009). 

Seasonally, at sites before water discharge into Nagrota nullah, 

phosphate highest and lowest record is seen in the month of 

November and and September, respectively. At spring sites, 

phosphate highest record is seen during July, September and 

November and lowest in February (Table 5 and 6). 

Nitrate, seasonally, recorded February, April, July, October 

and December increase in water samples collected at sites 

before water discharge into Nagrota nullah. At spring sites, 

nitrate observed, February, June, August and October increase. 

At both the experimental sites, highest and lowest record of 

nitrate is seen in the month of June and November, respectively. 

June highest record of nitrate may be due to the effect of premonsoon 

showers. Nitrate enrichment due to rains has also 

been reported by Singh et al. (2000), Wetzel (2000) and Dutta 

et al. (2009). Effects of rains may also explain July/August rise 

in nitrate, seen during the present analysis. October rise in 

nitrate, at both the experimental sites, has its correlation with 

post-monsoon increased flush from springs. 

Sulphate, at spring sites and at sites away from springs, 

recorded an annual mean variation of 5.25-45.0 mg/L and 

10.0-35.8 mg/L, respectively. These observations of sulphate 

are high in comparison to the earlier findings of Negi et al. 

(2001), from Himalayan Springs (1.7-7.0 mg/L), Almora, 

Uttaranchal. Absence of any type of pollution (industrial, 

Sewage etc.) and low deposits of sulphate in catchment rocks 

may explain present low record of sulphate, as compared to 

the observations of some earlier workers (op cit). 

Seasonally, sulphate recorded trimodal increase, both at spring 

sites (April, July and November) and at sites before spring 

water discharge into Nagrota Stream (February, April and July). 

It recorded April highest and August lowest record at spring 

sites. At sites away from springs, sulphate recorded July highest 

and August and September lowest record. Present water 

analysis has revealed low record of sulphate at sites before 

water discharge into Nagrota Stream as compared to spring 

sites and is because of sulphate consuming phytoplankton 

present between two experimental sites (Schwoerbel, 1991). 

Electrical conductivity, at both spring sites and at sites away 

from springs, recorded an annual mean variation between 

0.332-0.510 mS and 0.268-0.522 mS, respectively. High 

record of electrical conductivity is seen at spring sites as 

compared to the sites before water discharge into Nagrota 

stream. This may be due to the presence of high ionic 

constituents like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium etc. 

at spring sites. 

Seasonally, conductivity recorded January highest value both 

at spring sites and at sites before spring water discharge into 

Nagrota stream. Lowest record of conductivity is seen in the 

month of May at spring sites and in the month of August in 

water samples collected at sites before water discharge into 

Nagrota nullah (Tables 5 and 6). 

Salinity revealed an annual mean variation between 0.35-0.55 

ppt and 0.3 – 0.55 ppt, respectively, at spring sites and at sites 

before water discharge into Nagrota nullah (Tables 5 and 6). 

Seasonally, at spring sites and at sites away from springs, salinity 

recorded January highest record. Reduced water discharge, 

due to winter low temperature, may explain December and 

January rise in salinity, with January highest record. 

Total dissolved solids at spring sites and at sites away from 

springs recorded an annual mean variation from 0.173-0.267 

ppt and 0.180-0.263 ppt, respectively. Total dissolved solids 

record is higher at spring sites. This may be due to high record 

of salinity, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium and 

potassium in comparison to their findings at sites away from 

springs. Consumption of various salts by growing algae present 

in the segment between spring sites and at sites before water 

discharge into Nagrota nullah may account for low record of 

TDS at sites away from springs. 

Seasonally, TDS recorded a high record in the month of 

September at spring sites and, in the month of January at sites 

away from springs. These observed low record of TDS in the 

month of March and August at spring sites and at sites away 

from spring. 

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*Original not seen 

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