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| Water Quality Assessment Using Physico-Chemical and biological Parameters of Hameer Pond in Ajmer District, Rajasthan (India) | |||||||
| Paper Id :
17225 Submission Date :
2023-02-02 Acceptance Date :
2023-02-19 Publication Date :
2023-02-24
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| Abstract |
Water is the most important natural resources in space and time sets the upper limit of the population and carrying capacity of the area. Today the consequences of population growth, progressive industrialization and urbanization, rehabilitation of arid areas, rising living standards, iniquitous division of water, drive for development and the associated consumerist culture have led to overuse, abuse and Water is the most important natural resources in space and time sets the upper limit of the population and carrying capacity of the area. Today the consequences of population growth, progressive industrialization and urbanization, rehabilitation of arid areas, rising living standards, iniquitous division of water, drive for development and the associated consumerist culture have led to overuse, abuse and pollution of our vital water resources and disturbed the quality and the natural cleansing capacity of water. The present investigation has been carried out with the objective to assess the water quality of the Hameer Pond, Kishangarh, Rajasthan (India). Results depicted significant difference inphysico-chemical properties in the form of nutrient enrichment which is due to disposal of industrial and domestic effluents and its runoff in and around catchment area of the pond.This anthropogenic load was found positively associated with increase in values of pH, TDS, turbidity, BOD, phosphate etc.
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| Keywords | Water Quality, Phosphate, Coliform, Physico-chemical Parameters, Anthropogenic Load. | ||||||
| Introduction |
Water‟- one of the “five tatvas”, is the most important physical resource for all living beings (Pattanaik, 2015) and providing basis for social, cultural, political, economic and religious development. Fresh water bodies are very essential for existence of dynamic ecosystem contributing immensely in shaping and evolving the biotic and abiotic system. As a matter of fact, water resources, one of the important life support systems on the earth, cover about 70 percent of the planet, but very limited quantity (0.00192%) is available and suitable for sustenance of fresh water dependent life (Sawyer et al., 1994). On a global scale, total water quantity is not the problem; the main problem is of water availability in the right place at the right time in the right form. Although we as human recognize this fact, we disregard it by polluting our water resources. Subsequently, we are steadily ruining this wealth to the point where the sustenance of life becomes doubtful.
India is known to have community-managed conservation plans to protecting and managing various natural resources such as forests, water bodies etc. In India, sustainable and equitable use of water in the past has been ensured by cultural and social advocacy and adaptation to water availability through water conservation technologies, agricultural practices adapted to different climatic zones. But in last few decades, the consequences of population growth, progressive industrialization and urbanization, rehabilitation of arid areas, rising living standards, increasing food supply, drive for development disturbed the quality and the natural cleansing capacity of water.
In last few decades, increased anthropogenic meddling, irrational use, widespread negligence for conservation among various stakeholders change in community perception,paralyzed management and disregard to socio-cultural values lead to nutrient enrichment or eutrophication (Edmondson, 1991). As comprehend the importance and scarcity of available freshwater planning, development, management and conservation of this most precious resource is necessary. Therefore, monitoring of water quality is necessary so that appropriate preventive and remedial measures can be undertaken. It is expected that the proposed study will contribute to a more informed evaluation and response to water quality deterioration and negligence of surface water systems and is relevant to present day interest in pollution control.
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| Objective of study | The study aimed to investigate Physico-Chemical and biological Parametersof Hameer Pond, Kishangarh, Ajmer. It is expected that the proposed study will contribute to a more informed evaluation and response to water quality deterioration and negligence of surface water systems and is relevant to present day interest in pollution control and environmental concerns; comprising a logical, scientific approach. |
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| Review of Literature | Bhatnagar
(2010) observed seasonal variations in the physico-chemical
parameters of Bir Lake and found alkaline status of the lake and attributed low
average value (20.70 mg/l) of chloride and BOD (6.34 mg/l) to low level of
pollution or less human intervention in the lake. Koli and Ranga (2011) studied
the physicochemical characteristics and primary productivity of Ana Sagar Lake,
Ajmer (Rajasthan), India and found higher values, mainly due to discharge of
sewage and the agricultural runoff by surrounding population. Telkhade et
al., (2012) studied the limnological characteristics of Tadoba Lake,
Chandrapur, Maharastra and reported the oligotrophic nature of the lake. Upadhyay
et al., (2013) carried out a study on water quality of Korba
industrial area, Chhattisgarh and found the water highly contaminated with
total solids due to industrial waste effluents.Shib (2014) studied
seasonal variations in physico-chemical characteristics of Rudrasagar wetland,
Tripura and found moderate eutrophication due to high concentration of TSS,
TDS, nitrate, phosphate etc. Kashyap et al., (2015) made a study
to investigate the seasonal variations in the holy Rewalsar Lake of Himachal
Pradesh, India with respect to heavy metal contamination and reported large
variations in the heavy metal levels varying from high concentration in
premonsoon and low concentrations during monsoon. Hemamalini et al., (2017)
carried out limnological study on Pandravedu Lake, Thiruvallur district of
Tamil Nadu, India and reported difference in physico-chemical properties, which
is linked to the fluctuations of discharge of untreated dye industry waste
water and sewage water into lake. Patel et al., (2018) evaluated
the physico-chemical characteristics of Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam, Banswara,
Rajasthan and reported it as moderately eutrophic and hard water body with
moderate levels of nutrients and found suitable for fishery purpose. Diwan et
al., (2019) assessed the water quality of Hipparga Lake in Solapur city
using water quality index and categorized lake into “Medium” class with Water
quality indexvalue of 75. Finally, they found that water quality of the lake is
degraded due to direct dumping of large amount of industrial and domestic
wastes. Bensafia et al., (2020) assessed the physicochemical
parameters and trophic status of water bodies of the Park National of El-Kala
wetland complex in Northeastern Algeria and found hypereutrophic status of
water bodies during the summer period as well as the autumnal period with
Chla> 25 μg/l. Chang et al.,
(2020) assessed the water quality of urban landscape lakes (ULLs) in China
using water quality index and concluded that sechi depth (SD) in water is
mainly influenced by the contents of chlorophyll a, inorganic suspended
solids and organic detritus in water. |
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| Main Text |
Study area:Study area Hameer Pond
is one of the many perennial shallow water bodies around Kishangarh, of which
Santolav Pond, Gundolav Pond are important. Totally rain-fed Hameer Pond is a
manmade pond amidst low hills erected on almost plain surface of eastern
semiarid agro-climatic zone, located at 26035‟24 to 26035‟44
North latitude and 74051‟04 to 74051‟34 East longitude at
500 m above mean sea level in the center of Kishangarh near railway station of
Madanganj-Kishangarh (Rajasthan). Figure2: Location Map
of study area Material and Methods:The water samples were
collected at four stationsat monthly interval. In situ parameters like
temperature, pH and EC were measures on spot by thermometric and potentiometric
method, respectively. For analysis ofdissolved oxygen water sample was
collected from 5 cm below surface, avoiding bubbling, in non-reactive
borosilicate Glass bottle (BOD Bottle) and was immediately fixed as per
Wrinkler method. For other parameters, water samples, from various stations,
were collected in 2-liter PET containers and brought to laboratory after
putting them at 400C temperature. In laboratory various parameters including
Turbidity, Nitrate, Total Dissolved Solids, BOD (5-day), Phosphate and
bacterial parameters were studied as per standard procedures published by
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and the American Public
Health Association. Hypothesis:Ho: The
pollution load in Hameer Pond remains within its natural resilience limit and
does not affect the nutrient level to a considerable level spatially as well as
temporally within the pond system. Ha: The pollution load in Hameer Pond is
variable beyond its natural resilience limit and affect the nutrient level to a
considerable level spatially as well as temporally within the pond system. Results and Discussion:The monthly variation
from January to December inwater quality parameters are represented in graph 1
to 4. All thephysicochemical parameters were taken in mg/l except for pH. Similarly,
microbialparameters are taken in MPN per decilitre. Water
temperature
plays an important role in dynamics of water body.Temperature has a
direct and indirect influence on all life processes (Welch, 1952). Water
temperature does not influence significantly by anthropogenic load and
fluctuation in it reflects seasonal trend. The water temperature was found in
the range of 13.4 to 32.5 0C.The temperature of Hameer water attained the maximum peak
value at station IV during the month of May whereas the remaining three
stations were having lower temperature than this peak value. Table:1 Monthly variation in physico-chemical properties of Hameer pondat station S1
Turbidity, an expression of optical property of water, depends on light scattering by particulate matter in the water. Therefore, it is found associated with amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water (Stepaneet al., 1959). The turbidity was found higher than the permissible limitof WHO throughout the duration of investigation.With respect to season, maximum values of turbidity(118.82 NTU) were noted during monsoon season (July) at site S4and minimum value (31.27 NTU) recorded at site S3 in month of December (winter season).From summer onwards the water became turbid due to rains suggesting greater addition of particulate mattersfrom nallahs and agricultural fields to the pond. Table: 2 Monthly variations in physico-chemical properties of Hameer pond at station S2
pH of the water is
governed by the ionic equilibrium in the water. It was found well associated
with the anthropogenic stress. Pond
water consistently maintained an alkaline pH throughout the study period, where
in during the major period of investigation the values fluctuated between 7.1
to 8.4.Similar resultswere observed by Ugale and Hiware (2005).The minimum value
(7.1) of pH was recorded as at station IV in the month of monsoon (July) after
rains and maximum value (8.4) was observed during the month of June at station
IV throughout the duration of
investigation. The water body showed fluctuating values of pH with a dip
in monsoon due to dilution of reservoir water.Decrease in pH in monsoon is possibly due to inflow of
rain water and constant water movement which brings down the level of carbon
dioxide and carbonates. Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS),
show general characteristic of water which influences alkalinity, turbidity,
pH. It was found higher in June at
site S4(1328 mg/l) and the minimum (641 mg l-1)at site S3 in month of
January. Low values of TDS
were recorded during winter probably because of stagnation. These
findings are in accordance with the observations made by Kumbhar et al(2009).TDS showed direct
positive correlation with temperature and BOD. A similar positive correlation
was also observed by Bhatt et al.
(1999). Table: 3 Monthly variations in physico-chemical properties of Hameer pond at station S3
The phosphate was emerged as a serious problem regarding water quality as it was found many times higher than the permissible limitthroughout the year. Total phosphate was observed to be maximum in the month of Marchat site S4 and minimum in the month of October at site S3. The concentration of total phosphate indicates a peak (9.68 mg/l) in the month of Marchat site S4 and decreases gradually to attain the minimum value (3.15 mg/l) in October at site S3. Low values were again observed during January and February.High values of phosphate may be on account of reduced volume of water due to evaporation and concentration of this nutrient, the increased density of biota which produce metabolic waste, higher water temperature and higher biodegradation releasing this nutrient from the sediment(Shekhawat 1997). Table: 4 Monthly variations in physico-chemical properties of Hameer pond at station- S4
Dissolved
Oxygen (DO) and Biological Oxygen Demand are the parameters thatfound correlated with
temperature and nutrient status of the water, which facilitategrowth of
microorganisms and thus high oxygen consumption (Sahuet al., 2000).DO% saturation was observed to be minimum
(25%) at site S4 in the summer
month of June; thereafter its concentration increases during monsoon month of
July and August and reaches its peak(76%) at site S3 in the winter month of December. Thus, DO%
saturation expresses a single peak. Sudden increase in dissolved oxygen concentration
was also found at the onset of rains, because of good aeration caused by rain
water(Maya, 2003).In summer season, dissolved oxygen decreases due to
increase in temperature and also due to increased microbial activity and
increased concentration of sewage released in to the pond(George,
1961). Biological oxygen demand gives an idea of quantityof biodegradable organic substances present in water, which is subjected to aerobicdecomposition of microorganism. Thus, it provides a direct measurement of state ofpollution (Singh et al.,1999).BOD in general was found minimum(9.22 mg l-1) at site S3 during the winter month of December and then there was an increase till it reaches a peakat site S4 (36.07 mg l-1) in summer month of June at all sampling sites during investigation year.In Hameer water the station IV and station II have comparatively high BOD values, therefore they are indicative of pollution sites. High BOD values indicate that pond is proceeding towards eutrophic conditions.Sudhakar and Mamatha(2004) have reported high BOD in case of contamination of water resources bybiological and organic pollutants. The present study draws support from thefindings of these workers. The faecal coliforms are used as an
indicatorof faecal pollution in water bodies(Mohapatra et al.,1992). It
is well established that E. coli is not limited to humans but also exists in
the intestine of many warm-blooded animals (Orskov and Orskov, 1981). The
faecal coliforms were observed to be minimum (410 CFU) at site S3 in month of
January and maximum (1035 CFU) at site S4 in month of August.In the present
investigation of Hameer pond station III has comparatively low FC values
throughout the investigation period, due to least human interference and no
direct disposal of sewage. Station I and II have comparatively high FC values,
because of disposal f sewage through small drains from surrounded populated
area.(Sharifinia et al.,2013)reported high population of FC in
areas where pollutants were very high in amount in water, which is consonance
to present investigation as regards to FC values at station IV.
Inorganic nitrogen that presents in water
is available as nitrate It is the main nutrient that accelerates the growth of
hydrophytes and algae. The nitrate was observed to be minimum(3.51 mg l-1)at
site S3 in month of January and maximum (16.47 mg l-) at site S4 in month of
August. The value of nitrate nitrogen did not fluctuate significantly. The
values of nitrate increased sharply during the month of May and June at all
sampling sites due to the low water level due to evaporation, and the increase
in rate of decomposition process (Dwivedi and Pandey 2002). The values
of nitrate increased abruptly during August with gradual decline after monsoon
till obtaining a minimum value in the month of January. |
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| Conclusion |
In essence the water quality status of the pond reveals that it is tending, fast towards “eutrophism” particularly at station 4 (Chamda Ghar Nalla). The quality of water is deteriorating day by day due to inflow of domestic sewage, municipal waste and effluents of organic waste of animal and human origin into the pond.
This anthropogenic load was found positively associated with increase in values of pH, TDS, turbidity, BOD, phosphate and was found negatively associated with dissolved oxygen in water. In nutshell, the results depict that the pond is eutrophic in different stations during pre-monsoon while it was moderately eutrophic for all points during Post-monsoon. Based on the findings, the stations located at the entrance of the pollutants showed nutrient enrichment throughout the study period. Moreover, phosphorous acted as a limiting factor in this system |
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| Suggestions for the future Study | In order to assist recuperation of the pond and to explore it in sustainable manner; immediate priority should be given to identification and abatement of lacuna in existing information and tools failing to conserve the pond and catchment area. It is necessary to identify the grounds of pollution-source expansion and to check them, to strengthen administrative coordination and explore possibilities of Public Private Partnership (PPP). It is also necessary to prepare action plan on pond restoration providing sufficient space to beautification in order to develop economic subsystem. Afforestation in catchment area, prohibition of construction and garbage disposal near pond should be enforced. | ||||||
| Acknowledgement | Author is thankful to Head, Department of Zoology for providing necessary facilities and grateful to S.P.C. Govt. College, Ajmer. Rakesh Kumar Baser also thankful to PHED Laboratory Foysagar, Ajmer for water sample analysis. | ||||||
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