Pollution Research Paper

Vol 39, Nov Suppl. Issue, 2020; Page No.(126-129)

SEASONAL VARIATION IN WATER QUALITY OF RIVER GANGA AND POLLUTION DUE TO DRAINS: A CASE STUDY OF KANPUR (INDIA)

AJIT KUMAR VIDYARTHI*, VIVEK RANA, GARIMA DUBLISH AND MRINAL KANTI BISWAS

Abstract

The present study assessed the seasonal (summer, monsoon, and winter) variation in the surface water quality (temperature, pH, color, DO, BOD, COD, and total Cr) of the rivers Ganga and Pandu (a tributary of Ganga) in Kanpur. In river Ganga, pH varied as 6.3-9, color as 5-25 Hazen, DO as 3.5- 12.6 mg/L, BOD as 1-19.2 mg/L, COD as 5.1-35.8 mg/L and total Cr as < 0.02 mg/L during one year of the study period (March 2019 to February 2020). In river Pandu, pH varied as 7.1-8.7, color as 10- 60 Hazen, DO as 1-8.5 mg/L, BOD as 3 to 31.5 mg/L, COD as 12.5-69.1 mg/L and total Cr as < 0.02 mg/ L. The seasonal variation of water quality of river Ganga indicated that high DO was found during the winter season in comparison to summer or monsoon seasons due to high photosynthetic activity because of better illumination and better dissolution of oxygen in water at lower temperatures. Out of drains discharging into the river Ganga, high color, BOD, COD, and total chromium were found in three drains namely Budhiyaghat drain, Wazidpur drain, and Sheetla bazar drain due to the discharge of untreated/partially-treated tannery effluents into these three drains from Jajmau industrial area. This study concluded that improper management of sewage and industrial effluent in Kanpur is polluting the river Ganga. The present study recommends (i) up-gradation of the capacity of tapping arrangement of drains, and (ii) proper treatment of sewage and tannery effluents to mitigate the pollution exerted by the highly industrialized city Kanpur on the river Ganga.