Assessing Water Quality in the Cooum River Basin: A Comprehensive Review of Methodologies and Findings

Abstract

Water is a precious and essential resource for sustaining life on Earth, and its economic importance cannot be overstated. Groundwater pollution can occur from a variety of sources, including industrial activities, agricultural practices, landfills, waste disposal sites, underground storage tanks, sewage treatment plants, septic systems and natural sources. With rapid growth in industrial sectors and population, the amount of waste and pollutants being discharged into the river has increased, causing adverse impacts on the ecosystem and human health. This review article summarises the different approaches utilised to assess the water quality and to examine the trace metal contamination in Cooum river basin. This article highlights the challenges associated with assessing water quality in the Cooum River basin due to the high levels of pollution caused by anthropogenic activities such as industrialisation, urbanisation, and agricultural practices. The article reviews the chemical variation of pollutants and their seasonal effects, specifically focussing on the release of microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals in water bodies. This article conducts a systematic analysis and summary of the physico-chemical properties of Cooum river. Further research on hydrochemistry will yield valuable information on water quality that can lead to effective water resource conservation. Overall, this review article provides a useful summary of the different approaches used to assess water quality and examine trace metal contamination in the Cooum River basin. It highlights the importance of continued research in this area to better understand the extent of pollution and its impact on the ecosystem and public health.