• E.Keerthana
• Dr.J.Vasanthi

Comprehensive evaluation of surface water quality is essential for understanding anthropogenic impacts and informing effective environmental management. This study integrates conventional Water Quality Assessment Indices (WQIs) with heavy metal based indices to assess the physicochemical status and contamination levels of the Thirumanimuthar River, Salem. Core parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, major ions, and nutrients were incorporated into the WQI framework to determine overall suitability for domestic use. Simultaneously, concentrations of toxic trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn) were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and evaluated through the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI), and Contamination Factor (CF) to identify pollution hotspots. Results revealed significant spatial variations across four monitoring stations representing upstream, two midstream, and downstream stretches. Station I showed comparatively low contamination, whereas Stations II and III located within the urban industrial corridor exhibited severe degradation due to untreated industrial effluents, sewage discharges, and domestic waste. Organic pollution indicators increased sharply midstream, with BOD rising far exceeding TNPCB standards. Although nitrate and phosphate remained within permissible limits, total phosphorus consistently surpassed thresholds. Elevated chloride, EC, TDS, hardness, alkalinity, and magnesium further reflected industrial pollution. ICP-MS data indicated that metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr exceeded safe limits at downstream sites, resulting in high HPI and HEI values. Overall, the integrated assessment demonstrates that the Thirumanimuthar River is ecologically stressed and unsuitable for domestic or irrigation purposes. Immediate intervention through strict effluent regulation, improved sewage treatment, and continuous monitoring is urgently required to restore river health.

Water Quality assessment, Heavy Metals evaluation, Contamination, ICP-MS

"Comprehensive River Health Assessment: Integrating WQI, Heavy Metal Indices, and ICP-MS-Based Metal Quantification in Industrially Polluted Rivers.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no.b5-b19, February-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602102.pdf

"Comprehensive River Health Assessment: Integrating WQI, Heavy Metal Indices, and ICP-MS-Based Metal Quantification in Industrially Polluted Rivers.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no. ppb5-b19, February-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602102.pdf