Journal of Global Ecology and Environment

Water quality is largely determined by its physicochemical properties, which significantly influence biological diversity in aquatic ecosystems such as ponds, lakes and rivers. Assessing these properties is crucial for evaluating ecosystem health. This study was conducted from November 2024 to October 2025 to examine seasonal variations in physicochemical parameters at five sampling sites (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) in Chawandiya Pond, Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The average pH was highest during the monsoon (6.33), followed by winter (6.31), and lowest during summer (6.27). The highest average temperature was recorded in summer (29.76°C), followed by the monsoon (23.10°C), whereas the lowest occurred in winter (16.15°C). Electrical conductivity peaked in summer (242 mS/cm), followed by winter (226 mS/cm), and was lowest during the monsoon (206 mS/cm). Total dissolved solids (TDS) were highest in summer (153.60 mg/L), followed by winter (142.60 mg/L), and lowest during the monsoon (133.80 mg/L). Maximum hardness was observed in summer (79.20 mg/L), followed by winter (71.00 mg/L), and minimum hardness occurred during the monsoon (68.60 mg/L). The highest average calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration occurred in summer (22.64 mg/L), followed by winter (21.76 mg/L), and the lowest occurred during the monsoon (20.32 mg/L). The highest average magnesium (Mg²⁺) concentration was recorded in summer (5.18 mg/L), followed by the monsoon (4.27 mg/L), and the lowest in winter (3.98 mg/L). Alkalinity ranged from 84 to 98 mg/L in winter, 99.2 to 111.0 mg/L in summer and 76 to 90 mg/L during the monsoon across the sampling stations. Chloride (Cl^-) concentrations ranged from 10.99 to 13.99 mg/L in winter, 11.82 to 13.79 mg/L in summer and 9.99 to 13.99 mg/L during the monsoon. Fluoride (F^-) concentrations ranged from 0.12 to 0.16 mg/L in winter, 0.14 to 0.20 mg/L in summer and 0.14 to 0.18 mg/L during the monsoon. The highest average sulphate (SO₄^2-) concentration was observed in summer (5.75 mg/L), followed by winter (4.96 mg/L), and the lowest occurred during the monsoon (4.92 mg/L). Nitrate (NO₃^-) concentrations remained below the detection limit (<0.1 mg/L) at all five sampling stations during all three seasons. The highest average dissolved oxygen concentration occurred during the monsoon (4.02 mg/L), followed by winter (3.68 mg/L), and the lowest occurred in summer (3.24 mg/L). The physicochemical parameters of Chawandiya Pond showed distinct seasonal variation. Most measured variables were highest in summer, whereas pH and dissolved oxygen were highest during the monsoon. These findings demonstrate seasonal changes in pond water quality and support continued monitoring of the aquatic ecosystem.