Pollution Research Paper

STUDY ON WETLANDS OF GUWAHATI : 4. PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CITY SEWAGE

J.C. KALITA, B.K. BARUAH, M. GOSWAMI, S.K. CHOUDHURY AND M. DAS

Abstract

This communication deals with the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of sewage of Guwahati city. Two centrally located adjoining wetlands namely Bharalu river and Sola beel receive almost all the sewage of Guwahati city. Sewage samples from the channel joining the two wetlands were collected seasonally (Pre-monsoon, Post-monsoon and winter) for three years and analysed. Study revealed acidic pH, extremely low DO and high value of BOD, COD, turbidity, hardness, ammoniacal nitrogen and traces of heavy metals indicating highly polluted sewage.