Abstract

This research was performed to assess the concentration of cations and anions associated with salinity of different sampling locations (SL) in the middle section of Karnaphuli river (KR) water in two seasons. The mean values of pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of all the SL were found to be 7.23 and 3.74 mS/cm in pre-monsoon while 6.87 and 1.04 mS/cm in monsoon. The average values of chloride, bi-carbonate, sulfate and phosphate were found to be 3.50, 1.31, 3.85 and 1.08 folds higher in pre-monsoon compared to monsoon as confirmed through the laboratory analysis. In contrast, the mean contents of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in pre-monsoon were found to be 2.16, 3.13, 2.54 and 2.84 times higher compared to monsoon period. The values of all parameters among the SL differed significantly (p<0.05) in the two seasons. In the ArcGIS Spatial analyst tool, Surface interpolation technique of Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method was further utilized to get the variations of KR water. Moreover, the results of this study will be helpful for river management planners to take early protection from further deterioration of the quality of KR water to certain extent.