Anupama Natesh^1,, Dr. Radhakrishnan², Thangamani R²

Thermal spring is a natural phenomenon and is known in various names as hot springs, mineral springs, magic water, geysers, fumaroles, etc. based on their nature, qualities, and modes of formation on the earth's surface. The present study discusses the physicochemical analysis of Irade hot spring water with a comparative study of physicochemical characters of the samples collected from nearby locations during two different seasons like post-monsoon and pre-monsoon (2019). Irde hot spring is located about 15 km from Puttur town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The samples were collected at a distance of 196.82m (OW1), 239.48m (OW2), 163.13m (BW), and 61.30m from the hot spring. Analytical results of Irade hot spring water shows concentrations of fluoride about 2.92 mg/L in the post-monsoon season and within the limit during pre-monsoon. Generally, a hot spring contains some amount of fluoride due to the acidic nature (low pH) of water which reacts with rock at the time of percolation. Hot spring water can be used for drinking purposes only after the proper treatment. The sulfate concentration in hot spring water is 528mg/L (pre-monsoon) and 325mg/L (post-monsoon) and it is higher when compared to near by water sources. The turbidity of open wells samples OW1 and OW2 shows 6.1NTU and 5.18 NTU respectively and it should be treated before using it for drinking purposes. Previous research concluded that the hot nature of spring water is due to the sulfate concentration. With the influence of climatic changes and reduction in sulfate concentration the temperature of water getting reduced every year.

fluoride, hot spring, physicochemical analysis, sulphate