Water quality assessment in Madu-Ganga

Abstract

Madu-Ganga is a small wetland that is about 60 km2 and has a relatively shallow depth of a maximum of 3 m. It is a brackish coastal aquatic system in the Galle district of the Southern province of Sri Lanka (80° 3'29" E and 6° 18'7" N) [1]. Mangrove swamps dominate local vegetation in Madu-Ganga, and this is one of the last enduring tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. This wetland is opened to the Indian Ocean from a small narrow and short entrance channel at Balapitiya. Agricultural fertilization, industrial production, urban development and domestic waste dumping around this area can directly affect the quality of the water. During the open and semi-closed period, the water body may potentially contribute to ecosystem pollution. Therefore, water quality can directly impact to ecological environment of water bodies which has become a global issue [2]. Water contamination is a main concern affecting the ecology in the Madu-Ganga area. The present study was carried out to determine recent water quality parameters such as conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity and temperature of Madu-Ganga, which is impacted by unsustainable development of activities, inappropriate land use and high pollution density. The findings of this research will help to find strategies which minimize ecological and environmental problems that have been occurring to date.