Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 148 ASSESSMENT OF SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES FOR WATER IN GANGA RIVER AT VARANASI, INDIA Suhad A. Abed (1) , Dr. Ali A. Jazie (2) (1) M.Sc. Environmental Science (2) Department of Chemical Engineering,Alqadissiya University,Iraq E mail: jazieengineer@yahoo.com Received 9 January 2014 Accepted 17 March 2014 ABSTRACT During the last few decades, anthropogenic activities have dramatically attired the quality of surface waters including those of rivers. The rising level of pollutants and changes in mid stream water quality of Ganga River have received serious attention of scientist and policy makers in India. The present investigation was attempted to study water quality of River Ganga and to record the qualitative change in water if any during the three consecutive months of sampling in 2013. A systematic study has been carried out to assess the water quality of River Ganga in Varanasi city. 36 water samples from four sampling stations i.e. By pass bridge upstream, Assi Ghat, Dashswamedh Ghat, and Raj Ghat bridge downstream, were collected and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters (Temp, pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, B.O.D., and free CO2) .The analytical data of various physicochemical parameters indicates that some parameters like pH, hardness and total dissolved solids are found to be in excess than the prescribed limit in some water samples of the study areas as compared to World Health Organization standards (WHOS). Key words: Water pollution, Ganga river water, physicochemical analysis الهندية بنارس مدينة في الكنج نهر للماء في الكيمياوية و الفيزياوية الخواص بعض تقييم الخالصة ى نوعية المياه السطحية خالل العقود القليلة االخيرة ازداد تاثير اال نشطة والفعاليات االنسانية والصناعية عل ومنها مياه االنهار. ان ارتفاع مستوى الملوثات والتغيرات الكبيرة في نوعية المياه في مجرى نهر الكنج جعله محط اهتمام العلماء والساسة في الهند. الدراسة الحالية هي محاولة لتقييم نوعية المياه في نهر الكنج من خالل قياس (. تم اجراء دراسة 3102ه التي حدثت خالل ثالثة اشهر )كانون الثاني, شباط, اذار( لسنة )التغيرات النوعية للميا ( نموذج من اربع محطات مختلفة على طول مجرى 23منتظمة على مياه نهر الكنج في مدينة بنارس الهندية واخذ ) mailto:jazieengineer@yahoo.com Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 149 عية المياه في نهر الكنج ان بعض النهر في المدينة المذكورة اعاله. تبين من خالل دراسة العوامل المؤثرة على نو العوامل مثل الحامضية, العسرة وكمية المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية كانت اكثر من الحدود المسموح بها في مواصفات . منظمة الصحة العالمية 1. INTRODUCTION The Ganga is a major river in India, flowing east through northern India into Bangladesh. Its basin covers 861,404 km 2 , which is approximately 26 percent of the total land area of India. There are numerous settlements (cities, towns and villages) located in the basin, comprising 45 percent of the country’s population, i.e., approximately half a billion people. This figure is expected to double by 2030 (Bennett and Biroll, 2010)[1]. Defined as the ‘river of India’ by Nehru, Ganga has important economic, social, cultural and religious values. It accounts for about 31.6 percent of India’s annual utilizable water resources, providing water for agriculture, aquaculture, hydropower generation, industry, and water supply for household consumption (Bureau of Applied Economics & Statistics, 2005)[2]. The Ganga is a major input to agricultural production, as the soil in the river basin is very fertile, and the river provides a perennial source of irrigation to a large area, enabling cultivation of several crops. Even though there are some industries which pollute the Ganga, most notably the leather industry, the main source of pollution is human waste. Untreated raw sewage discharged in the Ganga is estimated to be as much as one million M 3 per day (Murty et al., 2000)[3]. The Ganga accumulates large amounts of human pollutants (e.g., Schistosoma mansoni and faecal coliforms) as it flows through highly populous areas. These pollutants carry significant health risks for humans, as well as environmental risks for the sustainability of the ecosystem services provided by the Ganga. Proposals have been made to reduce the amount of untreated raw sewage deposited in the Ganga. The most noteworthy of these is the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). Initiated in 1984 by the Indian Government, and supported by the Netherlands, UK and voluntary organizations, the aim of the GAP is to build a number of wastewater treatment facilities for the immediate reduction of sewage in the river. Even though over US$33 million has already been spent under the GAP, so far no great progress has been achieved (Birol and Das, 2010)[4]. A number of investigations have been conducted to study the physic- chemical properties of water in different Rivers [5-12]. Looking into the relevance of data on changing water quality of Ganga River, the present work was an attempt to assess the impact of monthly changes on the physio-chemical properties of water of River Ganga at four selected sampling sites at Varanasi. The sites include Bypass Bridge Upstream, Assi Ghat, Dashwamedh Ghat, Raj Ghat Bridge downstream. The water of River Ganga at aforesaid sites was analyzed for temperature, pH, hardness, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solid, and free CO2. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1.Study area and Sites Varanasi, also Benares, Banaras or Kashi, is a city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometers southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. It is holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. The city of Varanasi encompasses a total area of 1550.3 sq. km. It holds a population of 25.0811 lakhs with 10.5797 lakhs of urban and 14.5014 lakhs of rural population (as per 1991 census). Figure 1 shows the drainage area of the ganga river covering 11 states in India. Varanasi has a humid Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 150 subtropical climate with much variation in temperatures. Varanasi has at least 84 ghats (Steps in the ghats lead to the banks of River Ganga). As per scientists associated with the Ganga Action Plan, the river is changing course due to massive pollution and lack of proper cleaning of the banks of the river [4]. The following study was conducted at four selected sites of River Ganga at Varanasi during the period of January 2013 to March 2013. The selected sites were Bypass Bridge Upstream, Assi Ghat, Dashwamedh Ghat, Raj Ghat Bridge downstream. 2.2.Sampling A total of 36 water samples were collected from four different spots during a period of 3 months (January 2013 to March 2013). Water samples were collected at monthly interval for a period of 3 months i.e.January-March between 1.00 PM to 8.00 PM from four sampling sites i.e. By pass bridge upstream, Assi Ghat, Dashswamedh Ghat, and Raj Ghat bridge downstream. The samples were taken in plastic jerry canes and brought to the laboratory with necessary precautions. All samples were labeled properly. The temperature was recorded at the sites with the help of digital thermometer. Grab sampling was generally applied during the sampling. Figures 2-3 show the sampling process at the four sites of ganga river. 2.3.Analysis The water samples were brought to the laboratory and analyzed by standard methods [13-16].The samples were analyzed for the following physicochemical parameters: Water Temperature (ºC), pH, hardness (mg/l), total dissolved solids (mg/l), free CO2(mg/l), dissolved oxygen (mg/l), and B.O.D. (mg/l). It is an established fact that the more harmful a given pollutant is, the smaller is its standard permissible value recommended for drinking water. Standard method for the examination of water and waste water was used (APHA, 1998) [13] for analysis. The temperature of water was recorded directly in sampling sites using digital thermometer. The digital thermometer had a thermocouple was immersed in the water for the desired level. PH meter HACH EC10 was used and this method gave an accurate and quick measure of the pH. The essential feature of a pH meter is that it contains hydrogen sensitive electrode called indicator electrode and a colomel reference electrode. Most pH meters possess a temperature compensation system to avoid the difference arising due to the different temperatures. Hardness was calculated using ETDA titration method. Total dissolved solids were calculated by drying at 180 o C. Dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand were calculated using the standard method. In the experimental part we have used numerous chemicals and required for determination of water parameters of Ganga River. Some chemicals have been from chemical purifier “pro analysis” (p.a.), whereas some suprapur. Preparation of solutions is done with bidestillated water. 3. RESULTS Table 1 and Figure 4 shows the monthly variations in the temperature ( o C) of river Ganga at Varanasi city. Temperature is the important factor which influences the chemical, biochemical and biological characteristic of the aquatic system. Temperature also alters the saturation values of solids and gases in water. The present investigation reveals that the temperature varied from a minimum 15.4 o C in Jan (By Pass Bridge upstream) to maximum 23.6 (Raj Ghat downstream) in March. Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 151 Table 2 and Figure 5 shows the monthly variations in the pH of river Ganga at Varanasi city. Because most of the chemical and biochemical reaction are influenced by the pH it is of great practical importance. The adverse affect of most of the acids appear below 5 and of alkalis above the pH 9.5.The pH values were higher in January with the highest value 8.7 in Jan at Dashswamedh Ghat and lowest value 8.4 in Faberuary at Raj Ghat downstream. Table 3 and Figure 6 shows the monthly variations in the hardness of river Ganga at Varanasi city. The hardness values were higher in January with the highest value 182 mg. L -1 in Jan at ByPass Bridge upstream and lowest value 162 mg. L -1 in March at Raj Ghat downstream. Table 4 and Figure 7 shows the monthly variations in the total dissolved solid of river Ganga at Varanasi city. Total solids may affect water quality. Water with high total solids generally is of inferior potability. Total dissolved solids were observed maximum 250 mg. L -1 in February at Raj Ghat downstream and minimum 87.33 mg. L -1 in February at ByPass Bridge upstream. Table 5 and Figure 8 shows the Monthly variations in the dissolved oxygen of river Ganga at Varanasi city. Temperature plays an important role in determining DO in an aquatic body. Dissolved oxygen data are valuable in determining the water quality criteria of an aquatic system. In the system where rate of respiration and organic decomposition are high, the DO values remain lower than those of system where the rate of photosynthesis is high. A high pollution load may also decrease the DO values to considerable level .The DO values range from a minimum of 4.9 mg. L -1 (March) at Dashswamedh Ghat to maximum of 8.8 mg. L -1 (February) at Assi Ghat. Lower DO values during March may be attributed to the high temperature and its consumption due to high growth and activities of microorganism. The higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen during January and February were probably due to low water temperature, no turbidity and increased photosynthetic activity of the green algae found on the submerged stones and pebbles. Table 6 and Figure 9 shows the monthly variations in the biochemical oxygen demand of river Ganga at Varanasi city. BOD has been used as a measure of the amount of organic materialism an aquatic solution which supports the growth of microorganism (Goel, 2006) [17]. BOD determines the strength or polluting power of sewage, effluents and other polluted waters and provides data on the pollution load in natural waters. Higher values of BOD indicate a higher consumption of oxygen and a higher pollution load. The BOD values range from 12.3 mg. L -1 (Jan) at ByPass Bridge upstream to a maximum of 43.33 mg. L -1 (February) at Raj Ghat downstream. The BOD values in the present study are less than the values reported by Tripathi et al. (1991)[18]. Free carbon dioxide in the Ganga water was absent throughout the three months of the present study. 4. CONCLUSION The water is getting polluted day by day by the increasing concentrations of different pollutants. The River Ganga is a sacred river but becoming polluted at this ancient pilgrimage, possibly due to rising anthropogenic influence. There are several factors which are responsible for degraded condition of river water quality. The far most seems to be the restriction of river’s natural flow because of the Tehri Dam in Uttarkhand, the reduced stream flow declines the river’s self cleansing properties. This is probably the biggest issue and cause of rising river siltation and degrading water quality. Discharge of sizable amount of untreated domestic and industrial waste and run off from agriculture farms provide exhaustive source of pollutants addition to Ganges basin. There are some other reasons unchecked like disposal of dead bodies and animal carcasses in the river, the washing of cloths and bathing of animals on the river banks, besides defecation and other activities. In the present study, it was found that the properties like hardness, TDS and BOD were increased in all the sites of the study, while DO and pH Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 152 were decreased. Ganga River water also was changed from fresh bluish to dirty turbid and due to the upper resons, the penetration of light has reduced, thereby reducing the primary productivity of the river by phytoplankton and hence DO which is used by aerobic bacteria during the decomposition of organic materials and increase the BOD. Because of these ill effects of increasing pollution the aquatic flora and fauna of River Ganga has disturbed due to which the aquatic food chain has also been disturbed. The result of these effects can be seen on Gange’s dolphin which has now become endangered. Damming across the river and huge accumulation of sand and salt along its banks and long water course have reduced the natural flow and carrying capacity of river because of which siltation has increased and the river has construct and meandered that is why the dissolution capacity has reduced significantly. In addition, the concentration of harmful chemicals which are toxic to aquatic life has increased and therefore variety of fishes, zooplankton, and phytoplankton has also reduced and consequently the food chain has been disturbed. Such a high pollution has reduced the fishing, tourisms at the ghat of Varanasi as well as continuously losing of cultural value also for which the place is famous in the world. In order to keep the cultural value as well as natural quality and to maintain the flora and fauna of River Ganga, the pollution must be reduced by creating awareness among the local people about it is importance and the status of present and future ill effects along with the changes in policy decisions of state and central government for maximizing the effects towards conservation of this major river system. REFERENCES [1] Bennett, J.W., Birol, E. (Eds.), 2010. Choice Experiments in Developing Countries: Implementation, Challenges and Policy Implications. Edward-Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK. [2] Bureau of Applied Economics & Statistics, Govt. Of West Bengal, 2005. http://www. indiastat.com/india/state.asp?stid=26&secid=131&ptid=24&level=4. [3] Murty, M.N., James, A.J., Misra, S., 2000. Economics of Water Pollution: The Indian Experience. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. [4] Birol E., Das S., 2010, Estimating the value of improved wastewater treatment: The case of River Ganga, India, Journal of Environmental Management 91, 2163-2171. [5] Scarpa, R., Drucker, A., Anderson, S., Ferraes-Ehuan, N., Gomez, V., Risopatron, C.R., Rubio-Leonel, O., 2003. Valuing Animal genetic resources in Peasant economies: the case of the Box Keken Creole Pig in Yucatan. Ecological Economics 45 (3), 427-443. [6] Othman, J., Bennett, J., Blamey, R., 2004. Environmental values and resource management options: a choice modelling experience in Malaysia. Environment and Development Economics 9, 803-824. [7] Bienabe, E., Hearne, R.R., 2006. Public preferences for biodiversity conservation and scenic beauty within a framework of environmental services payments. Forest Policy and Economic 9, 335-348. http://www/ Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 153 [8] Hope, R.A., 2006. Evaluation water policy scenarios against the Priorities of the Rural Poor. World Development 34 (1), 167-179. [9] Bush, G., Colombo, S., Hanley, N., 2009. Should all choices Count? Using the cut-offs approach to Edit responses in a choice experiment. Environmental and Resource Economics 44 (3), 397-414. [10] Gupta, S.C, Rathore G.S. and Mathur, G.C.D. (2001) Hydro –Chemistry of udaipur Lakes Indian Journal Of Environment and Health, 43(1), PP.38-44. [11] Throat ,S.R. and Masarrat Sultana ,(2000) pollution status of Salim Ali Lake ,Aurangabad (M.S.) Journal of pollution Research 19(2), PP. 307-309. [12] Yogesh Shastri and Pendre, D.C (2001) Hydrobiological study of Dahikhuna reservoir Journal of Environmental Biology 22 (1), PP.67-70. [13] American Public Health Association. APHA. (1998). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20. [14] Manual on water and waste water analysis. (1988). NEERI Publications. [15] Mathur R.P. Water and Waste Water Testing. (1982). Nem Chand and Brothers, Publishers, Roorkee, 1-54. [16] Mishra P. and Patel R.K. (2005). Some Aspects of the Quality of Water in and Around Rourkela. Thesis. [17] Goel, P. K. (2006).Water pollution: causes, effects and control. New Age International. [18] Tripathi B. D., Sikandar M., Shukla S. C. (1991). Physico-chemical characterization of city sewage discharged into river Ganga at Varanasi, India. Environment international 17: 469-478. Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 154 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 15.2 19 23.5 Mid stream 15.3 18.8 23.1 Off side bank 15.7 20 24 Average 15.4 19.26667 23.53333 Assi ghat City side bank 15.7 21.2 23.5 Mid stream 15.5 19 23 Off side bank 16 21.5 23.7 Average 15.73333 20.56667 23.4 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 15.1 19.1 23.3 Mid stream 15.5 18.7 22.9 Off side bank 15.9 20 23 Average 15.5 19.26667 23.06667 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 15.3 18.8 23.5 Mid stream 15.9 19.2 23.3 Off side bank 16 20 24 Average 15.73333 19.33333 23.6 Table 1: Monthly variation in water temperature ( o C) of River Ganga at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 155 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 8.26 8.2 8 Mid stream 8.68 8.65 8.65 Off side bank 8.53 8.33 8.5 Average 8.49 8.393333 8.383333 Assi ghat City side bank 8.35 8.3 8.41 Mid stream 8.76 8.73 8.74 Off side bank 8.64 8.6 8.61 Average 8.583333 8.543333 8.586667 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 8.65 8.48 8.53 Mid stream 8.63 8.6 8.67 Off side bank 8.72 8.72 8.64 Average 8.666667 8.6 8.613333 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 8.68 8.68 8.58 Mid stream 8.58 8.6 8.55 Off side bank 8.62 8.6 8.5 Average 8.626667 8.626667 8.543333 Table 2: Monthly variations in water pH of River Ganga at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 156 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 190 188 172 Mid stream 178 180 174 Off side bank 178 178 168 Average 182 182 171.3333 Assi ghat City side bank 168 166 160 Mid stream 162 168 162 Off side bank 176 174 165 Average 168.6667 169.3333 162.3333 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 168 170 165 Mid stream 166 164 166 Off side bank 170 168 167 Average 168 167.3333 166 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 164 160 156 Mid stream 168 168 160 Off side bank 172 170 170 Average 168 166 162 Table 3: Monthly variations in the hardness (mg. L -1 ) of water of River Ganga at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 157 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 90 92 120 Mid stream 75 100 95 Off side bank 124 70 190 Average 96.33333 87.33333 135 Assi ghat City side bank 100 126 130 Mid stream 180 200 210 Off side bank 205 220 212 Average 161.6667 182 184 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 60 90 140 Mid stream 72 116 150 Off side bank 210 170 90 Average 114 125.3333 126.6667 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 75 90 120 Mid stream 230 260 136 Off side bank 320 400 260 Average 208.3333 250 172 Table 4: Monthly variations in the total dissolved solid (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga River at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 158 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 8 8.5 5.1 Mid stream 7.8 8.7 5 Off side bank 7.4 9.1 5.1 Average 7.733333 8.766667 5.066667 Assi ghat City side bank 6.8 8.8 4.6 Mid stream 7.6 8.6 5.4 Off side bank 8.4 9 5.6 Average 7.6 8.8 5.2 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 5.3 7.1 4.5 Mid stream 5.9 7.9 5.1 Off side bank 6 8.9 5.1 Average 5.733333 7.966667 4.9 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 5 8 5.2 Mid stream 4.6 7.8 5.2 Off side bank 5.4 7.4 5.6 Average 5 7.733333 5.333333 Table 5: Monthly variations in the dissolved oxygen (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga River at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 159 Site and Sub Site Sampling Date Site Sub site 13 th January 7 th February 3 rd March By pass bridge up stream City side bank 10 15 20 Mid stream 15 18 17 Off side bank 12 15 33 Average 12.33333 16 23.33333 Assi ghat City side bank 20 33 60 Mid stream 15 20 35 Off side bank 28 25 28 Average 21 26 41 Dashswamedh ghat City side bank 15 35 20 Mid stream 17 38 35 Off side bank 21 39 30 Average 17.66667 37.33333 28.33333 Raj ghat bridge down stream City side bank 20 40 46 Mid stream 27 40 30 Off side bank 30 50 44 Average 25.66667 43.33333 40 Table 6: Monthly variations in the biochemical oxygen demand (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga river at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 160 Figure (1): Drainage Area of the Ganga River Covering 11 States in India Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 161 Figure (2): Water temperature recording in mid stream of Ganga River Figure (3): Sampling in mid stream of Ganga River Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 162 0 5 10 15 20 25 BPU ASS DAS RGD R iv e r te m p e ra tu re , o C Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March 8.2 8.25 8.3 8.35 8.4 8.45 8.5 8.55 8.6 8.65 8.7 BPU ASS DAS RGD p H Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March Figure (4): Monthly variation in water temperature ( o C) of River Ganga at Varanasi Figure (5): Monthly variations in water pH of River Ganga at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 163 150 155 160 165 170 175 180 185 BPU ASS DAS RGD H a r d n e ss , m g .L -1 Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 BPU ASS DAS RGD T o ta l d is so lv e d s o li d , m g .L -1 Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March Figure (7): Monthly variations in the total dissolved solid (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga River at Varanasi Figure (6): Monthly variations in the hardness (mg. L -1 ) of water of River Ganga at Varanasi Al-Qadisiya Journal For Engineering Sciences, Vol. 7……No. 2 ….2014 164 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 BPU ASS DAS RGD D is so lv e d o x y g e n , m g .L -1 Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 BPU ASS DAS RGD B io lo g ic a l o x y g e n d e m a n d , m g .L -1 Sampling site 13 th Jan. 7th Fab. 3rd March Figure (8): Monthly variations in the dissolved oxygen (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga River at Varanasi Figure (9): Monthly variations in the biochemical oxygen demand (mg. L -1 ) in Ganga River at Varanasi