Discoloration of river Periyar
- Recently discoloration of water was noticed in Periyar river due to Eutrophication.
- The Periyar is the second largest river of Kerala.
- Periyar River originates from Sivagiri hills of Western Ghats and flows through the Periyar National Park and reaches the Periyar Lake.
- It is a perennial river and is used for supplying drinking water. It is popularly called as the Lifeline of Kerala.
- The main tributaries of Periyar are Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti.
- The largest Hydroelectricity project called as Idukki Hydro Electric Project is commissioned on this river.
Eutrophication
- It is the enrichment of an ecosystem with chemical nutrients, typically compounds containing nitrogen, phosphorus.
- The two most acute symptoms of eutrophication are hypoxia (or oxygen depletion) and harmful algal bloomswhich deteriorate the quality of water.