Assessment of physico-chemical parameters and trace heavy metal elements from different sources of water in and around institutional campus of Lumami, Nagaland University, India

Abstract

The main emphasis of this study was to assess the status of drinking water quality from four different water sources available in and around an institutional campus of Lumami, Nagaland University, with special reference to the detection of trace heavy metal elements. The results of the physico-chemical parameters of the water show that values of DO, BOD5 and free CO2 at S3 are beyond the permissible limit set by WHO and BIS. The values of DO in all the three stations (S1, S2 and S4) are near the maximum permissible limit of drinking water, indicating the deterioration of water quality, whereas the rests of the parameters are below the permissible limit of WHO and BIS. The detection of Hg in all stations along with alarmingly high concentrations of Fe and others such as Cu, Zn, Mn and Se is perceived as a matter of concern. On the other hand, As and Pb were not detected in any station. The detection of Hg and Fe in all the four types of water sources is an indication of contaminant hazards and needs drinking water treatment practices in these areas which in turn have implications on human health.