Assessment of Surface Water Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study of Ghaggar River System Surface Waters

Transcription

1 Original Article Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology & Life Sciences Volume 1, Issue 2, January 2012: Journal s URL: Online ISSN [Accepted 25 January 2012] Assessment of Surface Water Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study of Ghaggar River System Surface Waters Sukhdev Kundu Department of Environment Science, Shoolini University, Solan-H. P. drkunud24@yahoo.co.in ABSTRACT Assessment of water quality has been carried out to determine the concentrations of different ions present in the surface waters. Quality of surface waters of Ghaggar River system was evaluated for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The quality assessment was made through the estimation of temperature, ph, EC, TDS, CO3 2-, HCO3 -, Cl -, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, F -, Na +, K +, Ca 2+ and Mg 2+. A total of 31 surface water samples were collected from different sources viz., Ghaggar River and its point sources (tributaries, choes etc.). Based on these analyses, some irrigation parameters like % Na, SAR, RSC and PI were also calculated. Keywords: Ghaggar River, Drinking, Irrigation, Point sources INTRODUCTION Agriculture is a major sector in the economic development of India, as it is the source of livelihood for majority of population. The Ghaggar, a major river of Haryana originates from the Siwalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The Ghaggar River flows from east to west and then takes a southwesterly course. During its westward journey, a number of streams, streamlets, drains and tributaries debouch their load into the Ghaggar. After flowing through Morni Hills before entering the plains, the Ghaggar River is joined by the Kaushalya Nadi in the foothills zone. The small streams viz. Kaushalya, Jhajra and Ghaggar get combined together near Chandimandir to form the main Ghaggar River. Further, at downstream sites various point and non-point sources are joining the Ghaggar River and discharging their untreated effluents into it. The area under investigation lies between North latitudes to and East longitudes to Area under investigation covers parts of different districts of Haryana and Punjab like Panchkula, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Patiala, Ambala and Kaithal (Fig. 1). Figure 1: Site map of study area BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS For qualitative analysis, surface water samples were collected from 31 different locations situated in between Badisher-Koti (Panchkula) to Bhadshapur (Patiala) stretch in the month of May (2006). These samples were collected in clean polythene bottle of two-liter capacity. At the time of sampling, bottles were thoroughly rinsed two to three times with water to be sampled. The physical parameters such as ph, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature were measured in the field using water and soil analysis kit (Electronics India, Model 16 E). Rest of the characteristics of water samples were measured in the laboratory immediately after transportation to the laboratory. Chloride (Cl - ), sulphate (SO 4 2-), phosphate (PO 4 3-), fluoride (F - ), carbonate (CO 3 2-), bicarbonate (HCO 3 -), sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ) and total hardness (TH) were estimated using standard procedures [1]. To ensure accuracy analysis was done in triplicates and mean value was taken into consideration. To ascertain the suitability of water for irrigation purpose is a complex matter. In isolation, it has not been possible to have agreed criteria on a universal basis. Some of the analyzed chemical parameters of water were used to calculate irrigational parameters. The various constituents viz., EC, Na +, K +, Ca 2+, Mg 2+, CO 3 - and HCO 3 - have been utilized by various agencies and workers to ascertain the suitability of the water for agricultural purposes. For agronomic aspects major parameters of water have been clustered in two classes namely salinity and sodicity [2, 3, 4, 5] that may affect the soil, plant and human directly and indirectly. The different formulae were used to determine irrigation related parameters. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) takes EC and relative proportion of Na + to other cations into consideration for rating of water for irrigation purpose [6]; Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) by Eaton [7] takes values of calcium, magnesium, carbonate and bicarbonate into consideration; and % Na by Wilcox method consider percentage ratio of cations Na + and K + to all other cations to classify water for irrigation. The permeability index (PI) method also takes percentage ratio of Na + and HCO 3 - to all other cations for irrigational classification of water. SAR = Na + / Ca 2+ +Mg 2+ /2 RSC (meq/l) = (CO HCO 3 -) (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ ) % Na = [(Na + + K + )] 100 / (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+ + Na + + K + ) PI = (Na + + HCO 3 -) 100 / (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ +Na + + K + ) Where, ionic concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are expressed in epm. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Suitability for drinking The physico-chemical characterization of the surface waters samples is given in Table 1. The analytical analyses with computed values and statistical values like minimum, maximum, mean and standard deviation are given Table 2 by using SPSS [8]. In surface waters samples, temperature ranges from 30 to 40 C with a mean of C. In general, in entire Ghaggar river system surface water samples temperature values crossed the prescribed range of WHO [9] for drinking water. Very high temperature can be attributed to the climate factors prevailing at the time of sampling along with meager flow in the river as well as in point sources. During the observation river water temperature was also influenced by point sources high temperature containing effluents mixing. River water temperature was affected by point sources wastewaters high temperature. ph of water varied from 7.3 to 8.6. In our study, water was showing slightly alkaline nature. ph of almost all the water samples was within the safe limits except two sites. The electrical conductivity (EC) (µmhos/cm at 25 C) varied in the range from 325 to 1632 with a mean value of At various sampling sites point sources wastewaters were affecting the river water conductivity. EC has a wide applicability with respect to agricultural uses. But for drinking point of view high conductivity denotes proportionately high value of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Total dissolved solids (TDS) varied from 212 to 1052 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. Water containing less than 500 mg/l of dissolved solids is suitable for domestic use. Although the mean values of dissolved solids in water samples were rather similar to the proposed WHO drinking water standard. High concentration of salts of sodium, calcium and magnesium is generally responsible for high concentrations of TDS. The sources of dissolved solids BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a

3 in water are natural as minerals in soils and anthropogenic as agrochemicals. Bicarbonate contents varied from 200 to 365 mg/l with mean of mg/l. 97% samples showed the bicarbonate values within the prescribed limits. Chloride occurs in all natural waters in widely varying concentration. Chloride normally increases as the mineral contents increases [10]. Water containing more than 250 mg/l of Cl - ion has salty taste. In our study, chloride is ranged from 42.6 to mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. In our study, chloride concentration remains well within the prescribed limit. The concentration of sulfate varied from 20 to 558 mg/l with a mean value of 94.1 mg/l. 94% of the samples were within the specified limit. According to Raghunath, sulfate causes gastrointestinal irritation if exceeded 250 mg/l level [11]. The excess of sulfate (more than 250 mg/l) may also reason bitter taste and may have laxative effect to human beings and livestock at further higher level [12]. Very high levels of sulfates have been associated with some brain disorders in livestock. The concentration of phosphate varied from 0.8 to 38.8 mg/l with a mean value of 7.47 mg/l. Fluoride at a lower concentration at an average of 1 mg/l is considered as an important constituent of drinking water. Small concentration of fluoride has beneficial effect on human body but high concentration causes dental and skeletal fluorsis. In our study, fluoride concentration ranged from 0.02 to 0.96 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. River fluoride concentration was influenced by point sources discharge at various sites. The concentration of sodium varied from 22 to 375 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. Further, 16% surface waters samples were showing sodium concentration above the prescribed limit of WHO. In our study, potassium ranged from 4 to 272 mg/l with a mean concentration of mg/l. Concentration of potassium was highly fluctuated. Further, 42% samples show high concentration of potassium above the specified limit for drinking. TABLE-1 RESULTS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GHAGGAR RIVER SYSTEM SURFACE WATER S. N. Temp. ph EC TDS CO32- HCO3- Cl- SO4 2- PO4 3- F - Na + K + Ca 2+ Mg 2+ TH Units ( C) µmhos/cm mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND WHO (2004) BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a

4 TABLE-2 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS FOR ANALYZED SAMPLES Parameter Mean Std. Deviation Min Max Temp ph EC TDS CO HCO Cl SO PO F Na K Ca Mg TH TABLE-3 EVALUATION OF GHAGGAR RIVER SYSTEM SURFACE WATERS FOR IRRIGATION S. No. LOCATION PARAMETER EC (µmhos/cm) % Na SAR 1 Badisher-Koti Bijdoli-Ki-Doli Thapali-Narda Burjkotian Kambali-Kaushalya 5 Nadi Kalka Dobighat-Jhajra 6 Nadi Surajpur-Jhajra Nadi Surajpur-Kaushalya 8 Nadi Amravati (J+K) Chandimandir 10 (J+K+G) Panchkula S Dafarpur Mubarkpur-Sukhna 13 Choe Mubarkpur-Camp Bhankarpur Ibrahimpur-Dhabi 16 Nallah PI RSC Quality on the basis of %Na (Wilcox, 1955) Permissible to doubtful 17 Toana-Jharmal Choe Tepla Permissible to CATEGORY On the basis of SAR (USSL, 1954) BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a

5 81.29 doubtful C3-S2 19 Devinagar Nanheri Utsar Surala-Dhakansu Nallah Surala-D/S Maru Devigarh-D/S Mohamdpur Tatiana Rattakhera Ratanheri-Patiala Nadi Permissible to doubtful C3-S2 30 Ratanheri-D/S Permissible to doubtful 31 Bhadshapur The concentration of calcium varied from 34.5 to 85.5 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. Calcium concentration in the water samples remained well within the prescribed limit. Magnesium is an important and common constituent of natural waters. Magnesium salts are highly soluble and tend to remain in solution following the precipitation of calcium salts [13]. In water samples, magnesium concentration is varied from 13.6 to 48.2 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. The total hardness caused by carbonates, bicarbonates, sulphates of calcium and magnesium and chloride varied from 150 to 381 mg/l with a mean value of mg/l. Soft waters are those with a hardness of less than 100 mg/l; moderately hard waters those with range of 100 to 200 mg/l; and hard waters those range >200 mg/l. In our study, 13% and 97% samples were found in moderately hard and very hard category, respectively. A number of other diseases correlated with water hardness include nervous system defects, various types of cancers and prenatal mortality [14]. Suitability for irrigation Chemical quality of water is a significant factor to evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation [15]. The concentration and composition of dissolved constituents in water determine its suitability for irrigation use. Suitability of water for irrigation purposes depended on the effect of some mineral constituents in the water on both the soil and the plant [6]. The development and continuation of successful irrigation engross not only the supplying of irrigation water to the land but also the control of salt and alkali in the soil. Some major calculated parameters with respect to the use in irrigation are given in the Table 3. The total concentration of soluble salts in irrigation water can be expressed in terms of electrical conductivity for purposes of diagnosis and classification. In general, water having conductivity below 750 µmhos/cm is satisfactory for irrigation. Water having a range of 750 to 2250 µmhos/cm is widely used, and satisfactory crop growth is obtained under management and favorable drainage system. In our study area, EC (µmhos/cm) ranged from 325 to 1632 with a mean value of About 55% of surface water samples lie between range of 750 to 2250 µmhos/cm and for irrigation. Based on percent sodium, most of the samples fall in excellent to and to category only 13% samples fall in to doubtful category. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) specifies the degree to which irrigation water tends to enter into cation-exchange reactions in soil. Sodium replacing adsorbed calcium and magnesium is a danger as it causes harm to the soil composition and becomes compact and impervious. Table 3 showed that out of 31 surface waters samples, 48% samples fall into category, showing medium salinity hazard and low alkali hazard water class and 45% samples fall into category, indicating high salinity hazard to low alkali BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a

6 hazard. About 6% samples fall into category of C3-S2, showing high salinity hazard and medium sodium hazard. In addition to % Na and SAR, the excess sum of carbonate and bicarbonate in water over the sum of calcium and magnesium also influences the suitability of water for irrigation. RSC was calculated to find out the hazardous effects of carbonate and bicarbonate on the quality of water used for agricultural purpose. In our study, RSC values varied from a minimum of to meq/l. RSC values remained negative for most of the samples, thus showing that the water was either or within the limit (<2.5) for use in irrigation. The prolong use of high RSC containing water affects the yields of crop [16]. PI values varied from 45.2% to 88.24%. WHO used a criterion for evaluating the suitability of water for irrigation based on permeability index values [17]. Based on PI values, 81% samples fall in class (25-75%). CONCLUSIONS Summing up, it was observed that some of the samples exceeded the prescribed limit of one or other parameter. Samples showed high concentration or value of some of the sensitive parameters like temperature, potassium, sodium and ph. River water at most of the sites was highly influenced by the point sources pollutants at the joining points. In the study area, point sources generally carry wastewaters of industrial and municipal and agricultural runoff. Some anthropogenic activities like river bed mining, disposal of treated and untreated waste effluents from industries along with agricultural wastes may result in deterioration of water quality of Ghaggar River System. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Author is thankful to University Grant Commission (UGC), India for providing financial grant through Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). The author is also thankful to Chairman, Department of Geology (CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, for providing laboratory facilities. REFERENCES 1. APHA (2005). Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater. 21 th ed. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, USA. 2. Rhodes, J.D. (1972). Quality of water for irrigation. S. Sci. 113(4): Ayers, R.S. & Westcot, D.W. (1985). Water quality for agriculture. FAO of the United Nations, paper 29, Rev.1, Rome, Italy. 4. WHO (1989). Health guidelines for the use of wastewater in agriculture and aquaculture. Report of a World Health Organization Scientific Group. Technical Report Series 778, Geneva, 77pp. 5. Kuchanwar, O.D., Kale, C.K., Deshpande, V.P. & Dharmadhikhari, D.M. (1999). Irrigation water quality and farm management decisions. Wat. Sci. and Tech. 40(2): Wilcox, L.V. (1955). Classification and use of irrigation waters. US Department of Agriculture Circular No. 969: pp Eaton, F.M Significance of carbonate in irrigation water. S. Sci. 69(2): SPSS (2000). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Chicago: SPSS Inc. 9. WHO (2004). Guidelines for drinking water quality (3 rd ed.). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO. 10. Dubey, N. (2003). A comparative status of quality of drinking water of Bhopal city filtration plants and groundwater with special reference to heavy metals and organo chemical. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Barkatullah University, Bhopal. 11. Reghunath, H.M. (1987). Groundwater. Second (ed.) Wiley Eastern Ltd., New Delhi, pp WHO (1984). Guidelines for drinking water quality. Vol. 2, Health criteria and supporting information, Geneva, WHO. 13. De, A.K. (1994). Environmental Chemistry. (3 rd ed.), New Age International Ltd., New Delhi, 364pp. 14. Stocks, P. (1970). Incidence of congenital malformations in the regions of England and Wales. Bris. J. Pre. & S. Med. 24(2): Gupta, D.C. (1989). Irrigational suitability of surface water for agricultural development of the area around Mandu, District Dhar, M.P. India. J. App. Hydro. II(2): pp Raju, N.J. (2006). Hydrogeochemical parameters for assessment of groundwater quality in the upper Gunjanaeru River basin, Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh, South India. Env. Geol., Springer-Verlag 2006, /s WHO (1989). Health guidelines for the use of wastewater in agriculture and aquaculture. Report of a World Health Organization Scientific Group. Technical Report Series 778, Geneva, 77pp. BEPLS, Vol.1 [2] January P a g e A E L S, I n d i a