Sadhana Chaurasia
1and Rupa Gupta
2 1Head, Dept. of Energy & Environmental Science, MGCGV Chitrakoot, Satna M.P. 485331 2
M.Sc. (Environmental Science), MGCGV, Chitrakoot, Satna M.P. 485331
ABSTRACT
The River Mandakini is a holy and pious river of Chitrakoot. It is the only source of water supply in the area. Lacks of people take holy dip in river Mandakini during amawashya and other auspicious day to wash away their sin therefore a study was undertaken to evaluate the water quality of River Mandakini. The study involves the physical and chemical analysis like Temperature, Transparency, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, TS, pH, EC, Chloride, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Calcium as Calcium Hardness, Calcium as Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Hardness, Iron, Fluoride, DO, BOD, COD, Nitrate, Nitrite and Total Phosphate (TP) of
river water. The results of the present study was also compared with the standards given by various agencies such as ICMR and WHO, BIS, CPHEEO. The WQI for Mandakini River was also calculated and it was observed 52 at Sphatikshila, 48 at Arogyadham, 50 at Jankikund, 47 at Pramodvan and 42 at Ramghat site indicating that Ramghat site is badly polluted and need appropriate steps to control the pollution in this river. KEY WORDS: Physico-chemical Water quality, Water quality index.
I. INTRODUCTION
Chitrakoot Dham is an important place of pilgrimage to millions of Hindus. It is the place where lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman spent eleven and half years when he was in exile (Banabasa). The place is situated on the northern spur of Vindhya Mountain, amidst lush green forest & sparkling river. The holy river Mandakini flows through the place adding serene beauty.Chitrakoot is a town and nagar panchayatand located at Latitude - 25.1788o N, Longitude -80.8655o Ein Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, India.The Climate of Chitrakoot is tropical with extremes of weather – in summer the temperature can soar to 49oC while in winter it can plummet to 5oC. Average rainfall in Chitrakoot is 900mm. The relative humidity was highest in August about 85% and lowest in April about 12%.
The River Mandakini originates from the hills of khillora near Pindra village, Majhgawan block (25° 09' 24.8”N, 80° 52' 55.3”E), Satna district, M.P. at an elevation of 156 meter above mean sea level in the state of Madhya Pradesh of northern India. Whole watershed area is 1956.3 Sq. km. The River passes through two states especially between M.P. and U.P. states.Sati Anusuiya is a perennial reach of Mandakini River where a large number of small springs feed to the river. Afterwards it passes through various religious and non-religious points. The number of drains carrying wastewater of town joining the river at various points increasing the pollution load of the river and altering its water quality.
WATER QUALITY INDEX
Water quality index is well-known method as well as one of the most effective tools to expressing water quality that offers a simple, stable, reproducible unit of measure and communicate information of water quality to the concerned citizens and policy makers. It, thus, becomes an important parameter for the assessment and management of surface water (Brown, 1970). WQI is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of different water quality parameters. WQI is calculated from the point of view of the suitability of surface water for human consumption (Atulegwu and Njoku, 2004).
Fig.2- Map showing location of River Mandakini at Chitrakoot. Karwi
Ramghat
Pramodvan Jankikund
Sphaticshila
The objectives of the study was:
To monitor the water quality of river with the help of various Physico-chemical parameters. To calculate the water quality index of river Mandakini at various reach.
To compare the results with standard given by various agencies.
II. MATERIALS AND METHOD
On the stretch of river (8.5 km. approximate) five sampling stations were selected namely Sphatikshila, Arogyadham, Jankikund, Pramodvan and Ramghat. Detail of sampling station is given in table-1. The water quality was studied for three months (March, April& May) for various Physico-chemical parameters at weekly interval.
Table-1: Details of Sampling Stations and Sampling Code - S.
No.
Sampling
station code Location
Latitude and Longitude
1. S1
This sampling station is known as Sphatikshila (SS). It is a upstream station, 03 Km in the south of Chitrakoot.
250 8’46.5” N and 800 51’ 25.1” E
2. S2
This samplingstation is known as Arogyadham (AD). 2.0 Km downstream from Sphatikshila.
250 9’ 25.9” N and 800 51’ 46.7” E
3. S3
Thissampling station is known as Jankikund(JK). 1.0 Km downstream from Arogyadham.
250 9’31.6” N and 800 51’ 51.4” E
4. S4
This sampling station is known as Pramodvan (PV). 1.0 Km. downstream from Jankikund.
250 10’15.2” N and 800 52’ 1.1” E
5. S5
This sampling station is known as Ramghat(RG). 1.5 Km downstream fromPramodvan.
250 10’40.8” N and 80052’ 15.9” E
Collection of water samples
The water samples were collected in a 2 L capacity bottles (plastic water sample containers) brought to the laboratory for testing the water samples. Care was taken to guard the samples against under shaking and exposure to the atmosphere during transport. The methods for analysis were followed as prescribed in APHA (2005).
The study involves the physical and chemical analysis, like pH, Temperature, Transparency, TDS, TSS, TS, EC, Turbidity, Chloride, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Ca as Ca Hardness, Ca as CaCO3 Hardness, Iron, Fluoride, DO, BOD, COD, Nitrate, Nitrite and Total Phosphate (TP) . The results of the present study have been compared with the permissible standards, prescribed by the standards, such as ICMR and WHO (CPCB, 2007-2008).
The formula for calculation of WQI:
WQI = Antilog. Wn. log Qn
Where,
Wn = Wn is unit weight of n th
water quality parameter. Qn = Qn is quality rating for the n
th
water quality parameter.
The calculation of Sub-index or Quality rating (Qn) is based on the following formula:
Qn = Vn-Vio/ Sn-Vio x 100
Where,
Qn is Quality rating for the n th
water quality parameter, Vn is estimated value of the n th
parameter at a given sampling station, Sn is standard permissible value of n
th
parameter. Viois ideal value of n th
water. All the ideal values (Vio) were taken as zero for the drinking water except for pH = 7.0 and dissolve oxygen = 14.6 mg/l.
The calculation of Unit weight (Wn) is based on the following formula: Wn = K / Sn
Where,
Wn is Unit weight of n th
parameter, Sn is standard permissible value of the n th
parameter and K is constant for proportionality (k = 1).
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experimental results of various Physico-chemical parameters for all the 5 sampling stations were given intable-2 and discussed below.
1.Temperature: -Water temperature is a controlling factor for aquatic life. It controls the rate of metabolic activities, reproductive activities and therefore, life cycle. If stream temperature increases, decreases or fluctuates too widely, metabolic activities may speed up, slow down, malfunction or stop altogether. Temperature affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a water body. The water temperature controls the rate of all chemical reactions and affects the growth of micro-organism which is present in water including fishes. Temperature was fluctuating between 26.68°C to 28.12°C during the study period. The highest temperature was observed at site S1 and lowest at S3 site(Fig-3).
2.Transparency: -It is responsible for self purification of water quality. The maximum value was recorded 81.72cm at S1 site and minimum 41.02cm at S5 site(Fig-9).
3.Turbidity: -The Turbidity is mainly due to the dispersion of suspended particles and the BIS specify it to be within 10 for potable water. The abnormal values of turbidity are due to sewage disposal. The Turbidity valueswere observed higher than the permissible limit at all the sampling stationsi.e.13.0, 19.4, 19.8, 19.8 and 28.0 NTU at Site S1, S2,S3,S4 andS5 respectively (Fig-3). The minimum value was found 13.0 NTU at S1site while maximum was 28.0 NTU at S5 site.
4.Total Dissolved Solid (TDS):-Total dissolved solids (TDS) is directly related to electrical conductivity (EC). It is also estimated by sum of the extent of cation and anion present in water. Extent of cation and anion reach in water through internal erosion and weathering of rocks and anthropogenic activities. TDS values were found within the permissible limit (1000mg/l as per WHO). TDS was found within the limit at all the stations. Minimum value was found 225.6atS1 site andmaximum value394.4 mg/latS5 site(Fig-8). High content of total dissolved solid in drinking water can change the taste of water (Nath and Helen, 2013).
5.Total Suspended Solid (TSS):-The concentration of total suspended solid was observed in the range of 3.88 to 41.32 mg/l. The maximum values were recorded at siteS5 and minimum values at S1site(Fig-7). From the study, it was interesting to observe that total dissolved solid were relatively higher than total suspended solid. TDS, TSS and TS values are far below the permissible level of drinking water standards of WHO.
6. Total Solid (TS):- Total solids caused due to presence of lots of number of substances, like peat, sludge, organic and inorganic matter, soluble color organic compound, plankton and other micro-substances, etc., in water. Values of total solid were found in range of 233.70 to 435.72 mg/l. These values were within the limits prescribed by WHO. The minimum value was found 233.70 mg/l at S1 site, while maximum value 435.72mg/l at S5 site(Fig-8).
7.pH: -In the present study pH varied between7.26 to 7.43 (alkaline nature prescribed by WHO). The site S1has lower pH where as S5site has high pH indicating alkaline nature(Fig-3). High values may be due to attributed sewage discharged by surrounding city and agriculture fields. The pH value is very important for plankton growth.
8. Electrical conductivity: -Conductivity is a measure of current carrying capacity. Thus, as concentration of dissolved salts increases conductivity also increases. The values obtained are in the range 368 to 444 µmhos/cm. The minimum value was foundat S1 site, while maximum value at S5 site(Fig-8). Electrical conductivity values can be used to estimate the dissolved solids concentration which may affect the taste of water and suitability for various uses higher the conductivity values indicate higher the dissolved solids concentration in water (Rajappa et al. 2011).
mg/L. Total alkalinity values observed higher than the permissible limit at all the stations (Fig-6).The minimum value was found272.16atS1site and maximum404.0mg/latS5 site.
10. Total Hardness: -Hardness is a measure of the ability of water to cause precipitation of insoluble calcium and magnesium salts of higher fatty acids from soap solutions. The principal hardness causing cations are calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride and sulphate. The total hardness values were observedwithin the permissible limit (500 mg/l) at all the sampling stations (Fig-6). The minimum value was 200.56mg/l at s1site and maximum 352.42 mg/lat S5site.
11. Calcium Hardness:The quantities of calcium in natural water depend up on the types of rocks. Small concentration of calcium is beneficial in reducing the corrosion in water pipes. The calcium as calciumHardness values were observed 48.71mg/l, 71.41 mg/l, 68.20 mg/l, 94.76 mg/l and 111.56 mg/l at site S1, S2, S3, S4 andsite S5 respectively (Fig-7). The minimum value was found48.71 mg/l at S1 site and maximum value was 111.56mg/l at S5site.
12. Calcium as calcium carbonate (CaCO3): -The calcium as calciumcarbonate (CaCO3) values were observed 121.66 mg/l, 177.80 mg/l, 168.80 mg/l, 236.18 mg/l and 277.70 mg/l at site S1, S2, S3, S4 andsite S5 respectively (Fig-6). The minimum value was observed121.66 mg/l at S1site and maximum value was 277.70 mg/l at S5site. 13. Dissolved Oxygen (DO):-DO is the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in water. The DO values were observed 7.24 mg/l, 5.08 mg/l, 5.16 mg/l, 5.20 mg/l and 4.99mg/l at site S1, S2, S3, S4 andsite S5 respectively (Fig-5). The maximum values were recorded7.24 mg/l at siteS1and minimum value4.99 mg/l at S5site.
14. Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):-BOD values range between 2.28 to 8.64 mg/l. The maximum values were recorded at S5 sites and minimum values at S1sites(Fig-5). High concentration of BOD due to heavy sediment, organic matter and domestic sewage are direct discharge in to river Mandakini. It is an important parameter to the oxygen required to degradation of organic matter.
15. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD):-COD values are greater than BOD values. A higher value of the ratio indicates the waste water is difficult to biodegradable. For non-biodegradable wastewater the ratio exceeds. The DO values were observedwithin the permissible limit (200 mg/l) at all the sampling stations (Fig-9). The minimum value was 79.48mg/l at S1site and maximum 149.68mg/lat S5site.
16. Chloride (Cl-): -The high concentration of chloride is considered to be an indication of pollution due to high organic waste of animal origin (Singh, 1992). The Chloride value were observed within the permissible limit (250 mg/l Prescribed by WHO) at all the sampling stations i.e. 26.94, 44.48, 26.83, 35.70 and 53.57 mg/l at Site S1, S2,S3,S4 andS5 respectively (Fig-9). The minimum value was found 26.94mg/l at S1site while maximum was 53.57 mg/lat S5 site.
17. Phosphate (PO4
-):-Phosphates are not toxic to people or animals unless they are present in very high levels. Digestive problem could occur from extremely high level of phosphate. The major sources of phosphate are domestic sewage, detergents, agricultural and runoff with fertilizers. The value of Phosphate was found in range of 1.49 to 4.08 mg/l. The minimum value was found 1.49 mg/l atS1, while maximum was found 4.08mg/l atS5 site(Fig-5).
18. Iron (Fe+3): -Iron is biologically important element which is essential to all organisms and present in haemoglobin system. High concentration of iron causes slight toxicity. The Values of iron for all water samples fall within the limit. The minimum and maximum value lies between 0.21 and 0.38 mg/l. The maximum Values were recorded at S5 site and minimum value at S1site (Fig-4).
19. Nitrate (NO3 -2
):-High level of nitrate in drinking water due to excessive use of agriculture fertilizers, decayed vegetable water, domestic effluent, sewage disposal and industrial discharges, leachable from refuse dumps, atmospheric and atmospheric precipitation has become a serious problem. The desirable nitrate values for drinking water prescribed by WHO is 45 mg/l. The values of nitrate for all water samples fall within the limit. The minimum value was found 0.32 mg/l at S1 site, while maximum value 0.87 mg/l at S5 site(Fig-4). The high concentration of nitrate in drinking water is toxic and causes blue baby disease/carcinomas.
20. Nitrite (NO2 -2
):- Nitrite is form of nitrogen and a vital nutrient for growth, reproduction and the survival of organisms. The Nitrite values were observed within the permissible limit (45 mg/l as per WHO) at all the sampling stations i.e. 0.27, 0.29, 0.32, 0.32 and 0.48 mg/l at Site S1, S2,S3,S4 andS5 respectively (Fig-4). The minimum value was found 0.27 mg/l at S1site while maximum was 0.48 mg/lat S5 site.
bone diseases by WHO. The Fluoride values were observed within the permissible limit at all the sampling stations i.e. 0.17, 0.52, 0.19, 0.53 and 0.59 mg/l at Site S1, S2,S3,S4 andS5 respectively (Fig-4). The minimum value was found 0.17 mg/l at S1site while maximum was 0.59 mg/lat S5 site.
Water Quality Index (WQI): -The WQI very much depend upon the value of dissolved oxygen in water. Water Quality Index value was found in the range of 42 to 52. The average value of the water quality index for river Mandakini was indicating that this river is under bad quality rating for purpose of drinking and bathing. Water quality index of river Mandakini are given in Table- 5.
Table-2: Showing average value of Physico-chemical parameters of river Mandakini at Various stations (2016).
Table-3: Water quality standard for drinking water given by various agencies – S.
No. Parameters
Sampling Station
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
1. Water Temperature(°C) 28.12 27.26 26.68 27.32 26.84
2. Transparency (cm) 81.72 66.74 46.90 42.66 41.02
3. Turbidity (NTU) 13.0 19.8 19.4 19.8 28.0
4. Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l) 225.6 332.2 325.6 333.4 394.4 5. Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) 3.88 5.80 8.20 4.90 41.32 6. Total Solids (mg/l) 233.70 338.00 330.50 337.28 435.72
7. pH 7.26 7.31 7.35 7.31 7.43
8. Electrical conductivity (µmhos/cm) 368 390 386 416 444
9. Total Alkalinity (mg/l) 272.16 380.66 328.18 348.10 404.00
10. Total Hardness (mg/l) 200.56 296.14 272.42 287.84 352.42
11. Ca as Ca Hardness (mg/l) 48.71 71.41 68.20 94.76 111.56
12. Ca as CaCO3 Hardness (mg/l) 121.66 177.80 168.80 236.18 277.70
13. Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 7.24 5.08 5.16 5.20 4.99
14. Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) 2.28 2.64 2.42 3.62 8.64
15. Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) 79.48 79.86 80.02 100.24 149.68
16. Chloride (mg/l) 26.94 44.48 26.83 35.70 53.57
17. Phosphate (mg/l) 1.49 3.09 1.89 3.11 4.08
18. Iron (mg/l) 0.21 0.34 0.24 0.28 0.38
19. Nitrate (mg/l) 0.32 0.65 0.42 0.47 0.87
20. Nitrite (mg/l) 0.27 0.29 0.32 0.32 0.48
21. Fluoride (mg/l) 0.17 0.52 0.19 0.53 0.59
S.N. Parameter Abbreviation Unit Permissible
Standard Agency
1. Water Temperature - oC - -
2. Transparency - cm - -
3. Turbidity - NTU 5 NTU WHO
Table-4: Classification of water quality based on WQI.
Source:Perumal et al. (2016).
Table-5: Water quality index of river Mandakini at various stations (2016).
S. No. Station Code Station name Water Quality Index
Water Quality Status
1. S1 Sphatikshila 52 Medium
2. S2 Arogyadham 48 Bad
3. S3 Jankikund 50 Medium
4. S4 Pramodvan 47 Bad
5. S5 Ramghat 42 Bad
5. Total Suspended Solid TSS mg/l - -
6. Total Solid TS mg/l 500 WHO
7. pH - - 6.5-8.5 WHO
8. Electrical Conductivity EC µmhos/cm 300 BIS
9. Total Alkalinity - mg/l 600 BIS
10. Total Hardness TH mg/l 500 WHO
11. Calcium Ca mg/l 75 BIS
12. Dissolved oxygen DO mg/l 5 WHO
13. Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand BOD mg/l 5 ICMR
14. Chemical Oxygen Demand COD mg/l 200 WHO
15. Chloride Cl mg/l 250 WHO
16. Total Phosphate TP mg/l 0.17 -
17. Iron Fe mg/l 0.3 WHO
18. Nitrate NO3 mg/l 45 WHO
19. Nitrite NO2 mg/l 45 WHO
20. Fluoride F mg/l 1.5 WHO
S. No. Water Quality Index Water Quality Status
1. 90-100 Excellent
2. 70-90 Good
3. 50-70 Medium
4. 25-50 Bad
Fig.-3. Showing concentration of Temperature, Turbidity & pH at various sampling station.
Fig.-4.Showing concentration of Nitrate, Nitrite, Fluorideand Iron at various sampling station.
Fig.-5.Showing concentration of Phosphate, DO & BOD at various sampling station.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Temperature (°C) Turbidity (NTU) pH
Parameter-0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Nitrate Nitrite Fluoride Iron
Parameter-0 2 4 6 8 10
S1 S2
S3
S4
S5
Phosphate
DO
BOD
Parameter-Fig.-6.Showing concentration of Alkalinity, Total Hardness & Ca as CaCO3 Hardness at various sampling station.
Fig.-7.Showing concentration of Ca as Ca Hardness &TSS at various sampling station.
Fig.-8.Showing concentration of EC, TS &TDS at various sampling station.
0 100 200 300 400 500
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Alkalinity
Total Hardness
Ca as CaCO₃
Fig.-9.Showing concentration of Chloride, COD &Transparency at various sampling station.
IV. CONCLUSION
Water quality of River Mandakini was monitored for various Physico-chemical parameters from March to May 2016 at various selected stations of River Mandakini. It was observed that Temperature, pH, TDS, TS, Chloride, Alkalinity, Total Hardness, COD, Nitrate and Nitrite was observed within the permissible limit at all the sampling stations prescribed by various agencies.
Electrical conductivity was found higher than the permissible limit (300mg/l) at all the sampling stations and highest EC value was observed at S5 station (444 µmhos/cm). Similarly Turbidity was also found higher at all the sampling stations and highest 28 NTU value was observed at S5 station. It indicates that dissolved solids and
.higher at S5station. Calcium hardness (as carbonate) was found higher than permissible limit (75mg/l) at all thesampling stations and highest value was observed at S5 station (277.70mg/l).Iron values were found slightly higher than permissible limit (0.3 mg/l) at S2& S5 stations 0.34 and 0.38 mg/l respectively.BOD was found highest and above the permissible limit at site S5 is 8.64 mg/l remaining four sites were within the permissible limit in term of BOD (5 mg/l).Total phosphorus values were higher at all the stations from analysis it was observed the station S5 was most polluted station & S1 was least polluted. It may be due to flood plane agriculture.
As per water quality index S1&S3 stations fall inmedium polluted range while S2, S4 & S5 are badly polluted stations (Table-5).
Over all study reveals that the most sacred stationS5(Ramghat)was in highly polluted condition. It is a serious concern for river health as well as for pilgrimage. This may create serious problem to river and local people also. The water of this station is not safe for drinking without conventional treatment and disinfection.
V. RECOMMENDATIONS
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