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Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Studies of
Fresh Water Reservoir, Talab Shahi, Dholpur (Rajasthan) India |
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| Paper Id :
19342 Submission Date :
2024-06-19 Acceptance Date :
2024-06-21 Publication Date :
2024-06-25
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.13957486 For verification of this paper, please visit on
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| Abstract |
Water
quality is a critical concern in managing aquatic ecosystems and sustainability
of water bodies. The
fresh water reservoir, Talab Shahi, situated in Dholpur district of Rajasthan
serves as a vital water resource for agriculture, fish production, and various
domestic purposes. Given its importance, monitoring and analyzing of
physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of water is essential to
understand the reservoir's water quality and its suitability for different
uses. The water of reservoir analyzed from
June 2022 to May 2024 and the main focus on examining the the water quality by
assessing key physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. The physico-chemical parameters analyzed include pH, water
temperature, color, total alkalinity, turbidity, total acidity, total hardness,
chloride, sulphate fluoride, dissolved oxygen (D.O.), nitrate, free CO2,
phosphate, salinity, total dissolved solids (T.D.S.), biochemical oxygen demand
(B.O.D.), and chemical oxygen demand (C.O.D.) etc. and microbial contaminants, including
Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa was systematically monitored across multiple sites within the reservoir. The result of the physico-chemical and microbiological studies reveals that all the Physico-chemical parameters within the permissible limit except color and turbidity but higher levels of microbial contamination observed. Therefore, the water of the reservoir is unfit for human consumption (drinking) but it is useful for irrigation, fish production and other purposes. |
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| Keywords | Physico-Chemical, Microbiological, Water Quality, Talab Shahi Reservoir. | ||||||
| Introduction | Water is absolutely essential for all the creatures on the earth. It is
vital for aquatic animals not only as a habitat but also as a medium for vital
biological processes, temperature regulation, and structural support. The
physiological functions of these organisms depend on the unique properties of
this essential liquid. Despite Earth's appearance of watery abundance, less
than 1% of the water is fresh and usable which makes it essential to preserve and
manage this precious resource. The water quality can deteriorate rapidly due to
various factors, making it unfit for designated uses (Garode
and Bhusari, 2017). Freshwater reservoirs play a crucial role in
sustaining life on Earth by providing essential resources such as drinking
water, irrigation, fisheries, and recreational opportunities. In many regions,
especially those with arid climates or limited
natural water sources,
reservoirs are indispensable for supporting both human populations and local ecosystems. However,
as human activities intensify, the health
of these reservoirs is increasingly threatened by pollution, overuse, and
environmental degradation. Assessing the physico-chemical, microbiological
quality and biodiversity within these water bodies is critical for ensuring
their sustainability and continued usability. |
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| Objective of study |
The objective physico-chemical and microbiological studies of fresh water reservoir in special reference to Talab Shahi, Dholpur district of Rajasthan, India. |
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| Review of Literature | Natural and anthropogenic factors influence water quality (Kumar et al., 2017). The combination of municipal waste, religious activities, and animal waste creates a complex pollution scenario that poses significant challenges for water quality management (Mishra and Bhatt, 2019). The microbiological quality of small freshwater reservoirs witnesses the presence of bacterial indicators like Escherichia coli and faecal enterococci, as well as fungal contaminants such as Molds and yeasts. The emerging concern of fungal contaminants in water is a serious concern that needs to be sorted out for the sake of water quality management as well as the aquatic life (Mourão and Martinho, 2022). The various uses of water for the purpose of irrigation, industry, domestic, human consumption, agriculture make it unique (Saxena, 2007). However, the contemporary scenario constituted by urbanization, industrialization, industrial processes and anti-environmental human activities reveals the deterioration in the quality of the water in the reservoirs (Yogita and Jain, 2022). There is significant pollution in the water bodies surrounding the power plant, particularly during the monsoon season when runoff from the plant is highest (Tripathi et al., 2014). The human activities and natural processes make a deep influence on water quality of rivers and other water bodies (Nayak and Mohanty, 2018). The surface water quality is degrading day-by-day
making it difficult for man and animals including aquatic animals to drink pure
water. It is high demand of the times that the interplay between monsoon
patterns and water quality should be understood and be tested and maintained
accordingly (Khound et al., 2012). The anthropogenic contamination has a deep
impact on water bodies. There is an utmost need for proper monitoring and management
of water quality indicators to prevent further degradation of natural water
resources (Dwivedi and Tripathi, 2016). There are several reasons of the
degradation of the water quality which, with the passage of time, is making the
human as well as aquatic life difficult and hard. Global warming is one of them
which has drastically caused seasonal variations which lead to contamination of
water. There is a critical impact of climatic conditions on water resources as
a result of which physico-chemical properties of water are drastically altered (Jeyagowri,
Vidhya, Devi, and Tan 2022). The climatic variations do affect the water
reservoirs and water bodies which are in the grip of pollution. Moderate levels
of nutrients are essential for supporting aquatic life and to maintain aquatic
balance (Kashyap, 2021). |
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| Methodology | Talab Shahi (also called Talab-e-Shahi) is a fresh water reservoir located at 26-degree 37 north latitude and 77-degree 39 east longitude in the Parbati river basin of district Dholpur (Rajasthan). The methodology for this research is designed to comprehensively assess the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of water in the Talab Shahi Reservoir over a specified period from June 2022 to May 2024 (for two consecutive years). The aims of present study to investigate trimonthly variation like season-wise June to August (monsoon), September to November (post-monsoon), December to February (winter) and March to May (pre-monsoon) if any, in physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of water. The water samples were collected and analyzed twice a month with definite time interval and samples were collected in clean, airtight non-reacting and specific plastic bottles with capacity of one litre volume. Sampling was conducted in accordance with established protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability of data. Water samples were collected from four predetermined sites (S1, S2, S3 and S4) within the Talab Shahi Reservoir. These sites were strategically selected to represent different parts of the reservoir, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the water quality across the entire water body. The sampling site S1: located Near Chandani chowk towards Bharat Nirman Rajiv Seva Kendra, S2: located towards the guest house, S3: located towards the village Nizampur, and S4: located towards the village Jore ka Pura. The collected water samples were analyzed and find out physicochemical parameters by various method as given by APHA (2005) like- pH (Electrometric Method), Temperature (On the spot by portable water analysis kit ), Color (Spectrophotometer Method), Total Alkalinity (Titration Method),Turbidity (By Nephelometric Method), Total Acidity (Titration Method), Total Hardness (EDTA Titration Method), Lead (Dithizone Method), Chloride (By Silver nitrate titrimetric Method), Sulphate(Turbidimetric Method by Spectrophotometer), Fluoride (By SPADNS Method), Dissolved Oxygen (Winkler-azide Method), Nitrate (By Rubbing Method by Spectrophotometer), Free CO2 (Standard alkali titrimetric Method), Phosphate (By stannous chloride Method by Spectrophotometer), Salinity (By Silver nitrate Method), Total Dissolved Solids (By electronic Method), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (By five-day incubation at 200C with serial dilute method), Chemical Oxygen Demand (By Potassium Dichromate Titration Method) and microbiological parameters like- Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were analyzed by serial dilution and plate culture technique. The obtained primary data were subjected to statistical analysis to find out an average value and standard error and compare average values with limits of standards to evaluate the water quality of reservoir. |
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| Result and Discussion |
TA- Total Alkalinity T.Acidity- Total Acidity TH- Total Hardness DO- Dissolved Oxygen TDS- Total Dissolved Solids BOD- Biochemical Oxygen Demand COD- Chemical Oxygen Demand Fig. 01 Minimum and Maximum Average value
of Physico-chemical parameters of Talab Shahi Reservoir, Dholpur (Rajasthan) during
June 2022 to May 2024.
Fig. 02 Minimum and Maximum
Average value of Microbes in Talab Shahi Reservoir, Dholpur (Rajasthan) during
June 2022 to May 2024. Physico-chemical Study The physico-chemical parameters of water from Talab Shahi Reservoir analyzed over the period from June 2022 to May 2024 reveals significant variations as following- pH The average pH values 6.63 and 7.02, indicating a neutral to slightly acidic water environment. The highest average pH (7.02) observed during March to May-2023(Pre-monsoon) and lowest (6.63) during Dec.2023 to Feb.2024 (Winter). The pH values of reservoir suitable to aquatic health and fish production. Temperature (OC) The water temperature shows considerable seasonal variation, with the highest average recorded during the summer months (29.3°C in June to August 2023) and the lowest in winter (15.4°C in December 2023 to February 2024). Temperature plays a pivotal role in microbial metabolism and growth rates, which in turn affects the spatial distribution of different microbial species within the water column. There is a complex interaction between environmental factors, such as water temperature, nutrient availability, and the physical structure of the reservoir, and their influence on the distribution and composition of microbial communities (Guo et al., 2021). Color (Hazen Unit) Color values, which indicate the presence of dissolved organic and inorganic substances, were highest in the monsoon seasons, with a maximum average value of 410.6 Hazen units in June to August 2023, suggesting increased organic material and sediment load during this period. Lower average color value of 196.0 observed in winter season (Dec.2022 to Feb.2023). Total Alkalinity (mg/L) The highest average value of 128.3 mg/L during March to May-2023 (Pre-monsoon)suggests significant buffering capacity, which helps maintain pH stability and lowest average alkalinity of 80.2 mg/L recorded in June to August 2023 (Monsoon). High alkalinity indicating severe contamination resulting from unregulated industrial activities and poor waste management practices not only makes the water unsafe for drinking and irrigation but also threatens the broader ecosystem (Hameed and Kumar, 2018). Turbidity (mg/L) Turbidity of reservoir’s water followed a similar trend like color with maximum average value of 59.2 NTU during the monsoon season (June to August-2023), reflecting higher suspended solids, likely due to runoff and inflow during the monsoon. The lowest turbidity of 26.5 NTU was observed in December 2022 to February 2023, indicating clearer water. Total Acidity (mg/L) Total Acidity levels reservoir’s water indicate the presence of acidic substances in the water. The highest average of total acidity 11.0 ppm was observed in March to May 2023, while the lowest average of 8.1 ppm was recorded in Sept. to Nov.2022 (post-monsoon). Total Hardness (mg/L) Total hardness showed moderate values peaks 92.8 in the pre-monsoon (March to May-2023) and lowest average value 71.2 during June to August-2023 (Monsoon) indicating the water’s capacity to buffer against pH changes and the presence of calcium and magnesium ions. Total Hardness of reservoir water suitable aquatic animals and fish production. Chloride (mg/L) Chloride concentrations ranged within permissible limit. The highest average chloride concentration of 40.05 ppm was recorded in March to May 2023 during Pre-monsoon, while the lowest average of 23.6 ppm was observed in June to August 2022. The observed chloride levels are within safe limits, ensuring that the water remains conducive for aquatic life. Fluoride (mg/L) The highest average fluoride concentration of 0.96 ppm was observed in December 2022 to February 2023, and the lowest average of 0.23 ppm in June to August 2022. The observed fluoride levels are generally within safe limits, ensuring that the water remains suitable for consumption and supports aquatic life. Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were highest in the monsoon season (9.05 ppm in June to August 2022), which is crucial for respiration of aquatic life, while lowest value 5.32 was observed in the March to May-2024 (Pre-monsoon), possibly due to higher temperatures and increased biological activity. The observed DO levels are within safe limits, ensuring the suitability of water for aquatic life. Nitrate (mg/L) The highest average nitrate concentration of 11.92 ppm was recorded in March to May 2023, while the lowest average of 5.83 ppm was observed in June to August 2022. The observed nitrate levels were relatively higher during the pre-monsoon months, suggesting nutrient inflows from agricultural runoff. Free CO2 (mg/L) The highest average values were observed in March to May 2023 (8.97 ppm), while the lowest average values were in June to August 2022 (4.83 ppm). Free CO2 is essential for photosynthesis in aquatic plants but high levels can affect fish respiration. The observed levels support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Phosphate (mg/L) Phosphate is a vital nutrient for plant growth, but elevated levels can lead to algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels and harm aquatic life. The observed phosphate levels with maximum and minimum average values respectively 0.06 (June to August-2022) and 0.019 (Dec.2022 to Feb.2023). Sulphate (mg/L) Notably, the highest average sulphate level 6.41 was consistently recorded during the monsoon periods (June to Aug.2022), while the lowest average level 3.36 was observed during March to May-2024 (Pre-monsoon). Salinity (mg/L) Salinity is an important parameter that influences the ionic composition of water, which can affect the osmoregulation processes in aquatic organisms. Average highest and lowest value of salinity respectively 116.6 (March to May-2024) and 70.3 (Dec.2022 to Feb.2023). The salinity levels within safe limit and suitable for aquatic animals. Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) The highest average TDS of 238.2 ppm was recorded in June to Aug.2023, while the lowest average of 161.8 ppm was observed in December 2022 to February 2023. The observed TDS levels support aquatic life and ensures the overall health of the reservoir. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) The highest average value was 7.43 ppm recorded in monsoon season (June to August 2023) and lower 2.52 in winter season (December 2022 to February 2023). Higher BOD values suggest increased organic pollution and indicating the amount of organic matter present in the water. Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values of water were under the permissible limit. The highest average of 84.8 ppm observed in March to May 2023, and the lowest average value of 39.77 ppm in June to August 2022. High COD indicate increased organic pollution. Microbiological Study The analysis of reservoir’s water reveals the presence of bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that contaminate the water of the reservoir as following- Escherichia coli (E. coli) E. coli is a fecal coliform bacterium commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Its presence in water is a strong indication of faecal contamination. The highest average 400.0/100 ml of water were recorded during the monsoon season (June to August 2023), indicate the surface runoff carrying faecal matter from surrounding areas into the reservoir and lowest average 268.0/100 ml of water during (Dec.2022 to Feb.2023) winter season. Salmonella The highest average value 327.0/100 ml water of Salmonella observed during monsoon season (June to August 2023) reflecting increased runoff and the introduction of contaminants from the surroundings into the reservoir. The lower average level 176.0/100 ml of water recorded during winter season (Dec.2022 to Feb.2023) due to reduced contamination from surface runoff. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Higher average count (216.0/100 ml water) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa observed during monsoon season-June to August 2023 and lowest average count 116.0/100 ml of water followed the same trend and reason as E. coli and Salmonella |
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| Conclusion |
All the physico-chemical parameters analysed during study were under permissible limit except colour and turbidity. Value of both the parameter in water higher due to presence of dissolved organic matter, such as humic substances from decaying vegetation, and inorganic materials like clay and silt particles. The microbiological analysis of Talab Shahi Reservoir has revealed significant contamination issues, with persistent and high levels of E. coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The water of reservoir is useful for fishing, irrigation, washing, bathing and other uses but unfit for human consumption (drinking) due to excess color, turbidity, decaying organic material and heavy contamination of microbes. The seasonal variations and spatial differences observed in the parameters are indicative of the dynamic nature of the reservoir’s ecosystem, influenced by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. These findings highlight the urgent need for
improved water quality management practices to protect public health and ensure
the sustainability of the reservoir. Addressing these challenges requires a
multi-faceted approach, including enhanced waste management, regular
monitoring, public education, ecological restoration, and innovative research.
By implementing these strategies, we can safeguard the water quality of Talab
Shahi Reservoir, ensuring it remains a vital resource for the communities that
depend on it and for the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem. |
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| References |
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