A study of the water quality parameter and its impact using HYDRUS-1D in Deepor Beel, Guwahati, Assam

Abstract

This study focuses on knowing the status of 12 water quality parameters with their variation and soil-solute interaction due to dumping of wastes at six different locations of Deepor Beel (a Ramsar site), finding their necessary correlations and development of a solute transport model using HYDRUS-1D software. HYDRUS-1D model used in this study will show the movement of iron through the soil profile in the area selected near the Municipal dumping yard at Boragaon. The results indicated that certain parameters are higher than their standard permissible limits with its extreme values obtained at the dumping location at Boragaon. The water near the dumping site is acidic (pH= 5.92), with high iron concentrations (3.68 mg/l), increasing hardness and turbidity as well as lower D.O level (3.67 mg/l). HYDRUS-1D solute transport model gives a distinct and clear picture of the solute movement, water flow, water content, pressure head and concentration profile variation along the soil profile with respect to time and depth. The results of this model showed that continuous influx of harmful solutes on the surface of the Deepor Beel could lead to break through of this solute through the soil column into the groundwater storage. Hence the present study showed that water quality is deteriorating at various locations of the beel and necessary steps are immediately required for sustaining the ecological balance of the wetland.