Study of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Selected Regions on the Darna River, District Nashik, Maharashtra, India

In the present work, the 3 sites, Chehadi, Kotamgoan, and Nanegoan, are on the shores of the Nashik District of Maharashtra, along the Darna River, where we studied the physicochemical parameters of water and soil. Study Design and Period: This research was a two-year (2023-2025) retrospective, longitudinal, cross-sectional survey carried out over four seasonal periods: monsoon (June-September), post-monsoon/winter (October-January), and pre-monsoon/summer (from February 25 to May). Key parameters measured in water samples included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and bicarbonate (HCO3⁻). Additionally, soil sample tests for pH, conductivity, and TDS were conducted on riverbank soils. The findings show strong seasonal variations in water quality, with clear differences observed across the three study sites. Generally, water quality parameters fell below safe levels for aquatic life and irrigation; nevertheless, site-specific differentials were evident, such as pH and soil conductivity at Kotamgoan, which were indicative of local human impacts. The results provide baseline data useful for monitoring the ecological health of the Darna River and reveal a need for routine assessments to mitigate pollution effects. Graphical Abstract