A Comparative Assessment of Water Chemistry and Pollution Status in Kerala and Karnataka States: Hydro-Chemical and Statistical Study of Kabini Interstate River

In the Anthropocene era, the fresh water resources deserve high importance due to various demands and hence its management and protection are very important. In the present work, the comparative study of the water quality of Kabini River in Kerala and Karnataka state has been made and data is subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) in order to understand the prominent sources of major ions along the region. In Kerala state, the surface water quality of Kabini basin falls in potable category, whereas the Karnataka region demarcates highly distress environmental conditions and unsuitability in terms of direct consumption. The constrains in potability in region is mostly influenced by man-made activities and natural processes. The PCA in Kerala demonstrated the weathering of nearby rocks and heavy usage of pesticides, whereas in Karnataka demonstrated rock–water interactions as well as industrial expansions and agricultural activities. The data generated from the present work would be useful for future decision makers to manage the issues in a holistic manner and can derive suitable steps for the management of the river basin both in Kerala and Karnataka states.