Dr Pratima VaidyaITIKA BISHT2024-03-012024-03-012023-11-24ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT QUALITY AND FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AROUND THE BALAD TRIBUTARY OF SARSA RIVER IN HIMACHAL PRADESHhttps://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810207252The present investigation entitled “Assessment of sediment quality and floristic diversity around the Balad tributary of Sarsa River in Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during the year 2022-2023 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan. The study was carried out in Baddi industrial area of Himachal Pradesh. Replicated sediment samples were collected from 7 sites along the Balad tributary of Sarsa river from 3 distance i.e. riverbed, 10m and 20m from the riverbed during dry and wet seasons. Site 1 at the upstream of Balad tributary was selected as control site followed by the sites 2 to 6 encompassing industrial and mining area to its confluence in Sarsa river (Site-7). The results revealed significant variation in all the parameters of sediment quality along Balad tributary from control Bhatauli Kalan to the confluence with Sarsa river. Sediment colour varied from Reddish brown at control to dark brown to greyish colour close to industrial area in comparison to yellowish brown at the confluence. The sediment pH was recorded highest at Bhatauli Kalan (Site-1) and decreased along the tributary. Electrical conductivity was observed highest at Lakkadpul-2 (Site-4). In the Balad riverbed, the concentration of all the examined heavy metals was found to be increasing downstream the tributary. As, Cd, Cr and Pb were observed highest at Baddi Sheetalpur-2 (Site-6), whereas, Cu, Mn and Zn were observed highest at Lakkadpul-2 (Site- 4). Fe and Ni were observed highest at Sarsa confluence zone and Katha village, sites 7 and 2, respectively. Cu and Mn were observed highest at the riverbed sediment. As, Fe and Pb were found higher at 10 m distance from the riverbed while Cr, Zn and Ni were found highest at 30 m distance from the riverbed. Higher concentration of heavy metals was observed during dry season in comparison to wet season. Floristic diversity of herbs was observed higher at Bhatauli Kalan (Site-1) and Lakadpul-2 (site- 4) while evenness was recorded higher at Baddi sheetalpur-2 (Site-6). Floristic diversity of herbs, shrubs and trees were higher at 30 m distance from the shoreline. Nasturtium officinale, Ranunculus sceleratus and Veronica anagalloides were recorded dominant herbs species in all the sites within the 10m distance. Murraya koenigii and Lantana camara were dominant shrubs whereas Dalbergia sissoo and Leucaena leucocephala were dominant tree species around the Balad tributary. Overall the heavy metal load of sediments increased from upstream to downstream side towards Sarsa in Balad tributary owing to point or non point industrial discharge and mining activities at different points along the stretch. The study concluded that ongoing monitoring of sediment and vegetation is required to create preventative measures to sustain the quality of the aquatic ecosystem of industrial hub.EnglishThesis