A study of physico-chemical characteristics of lakes around Jaipur, India.

Annual survey of Jalmahal, Amer, Nevta and Ramgarh lakes, has been conducted for one calendar year, to determine physicochemical characteristics of water and the levels of zinc (heavy metal) and endosulfan (an organochlorine pesticide). These lakes are situated on the outskirts of Jaipur city. Changes in pollutants correlated well with the physico-chemical characteristics of water bodies. Results reveal that the levels of endosulfan and zinc are highest in Jalmahal lake (1.324 and 0.197 mg l(-1) respectively) and lowest in Ramgarh lake (0.020 and 0.120 mg l(-1) respectively). Anthropogenic sources and cultivation in the dried up area of these lakes seem to contribute largely to pollution.