A STUDY ON FLUCTUATION OF HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION (PH) INPRAVARA RIVER IN AKOLE TEHSIL OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT

The present study deals with the fluctuation of hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in Pravara river in Akole tehsil of Ahmednagar district. The pH of river water is the measure of how acidic or basic the river water is. Power of hydrogen ion (pH) is a vital environmental factor for all aquatic media. pH is a scale of intensity of acidity or alkalinity and measures the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration The optimum pH for river water is around 7.4. Extremes in pH can make a river inhospitable to life. Low pH is especially harmful to immature fish and insects. Acidic water also speeds the leaching of heavy metals harmful to aquatic life. The present study was carried out for the fluctuation of water hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in Pravara river at west Ahmednagar district during the period of 2011-2012. The hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in this study ranged from 6.85 to 7.95 at different stations with little seasonal variation.. It is conclude that hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of this river in the considered region was never too low or too high to threat the aquatic life and productive in nature.