Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Gomti River in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Gomti, the only river system of Sultanpur was studied for 16 prime physicochemical and 2 bacteriological parameters at six locations (viz., Kurwar, Golaghat, Dhobighat, Shmashan Ghat, Papar Ghat and Dhopap Ghat) of the district, for a period of one year for various seasons. The samples were collected in the month of January, May and August-2018 to study the seasonal variation in different parameters. For the Physico-chemical study, the analysed parameters are Temperature, Colour, Odour, Turbidity, Total Hardness, pH, Electrical Conductance (EC), Total Dissolved Solids, Alkalinity, Free Ammonia, Sulphates, Chlorides, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Free CO2. Total Coliforms MPN/100 ml and Faecal Coliforms MPN/100 ml is evaluated for Bacteriological eastimation. The water samples were analysed by emulating the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, 21st Edition (APHA-2005). The river water quality is getting deteriorated day by day with an increase in the population and their over water consumption. Drinking, washing clothes and utensils, discharging of sewage waste, sand dredging, boating, fishing, open defecation and religious ritual activities along the stretch are generating serious threats to the flora and fauna of the river by changing physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of the river. The seasonal trends were discussed to comprehened anthropogenic interferences on the river stretch. Correlation analysis was also studied in between various physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. By comparing with the tolerance limits of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS: 10500-2012), it is concluded that the Gomti river in Sultanpur is very polluted. Considerable variation of many patameters from their standard values indicates that water of this river is not suitable for domestic uses. Continuous monitoring and treatment is required to keep the river living and suitable for aquatic biota as well as people depending on it.