Long term impacts of effluents on quality of the Kosi River Water at District Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study was aimed to analyze the influence of industrial and agricultural wastes on quality ofKosi river water, Rampur, UP, India. The results of the present study revealed pH values of between 7.2 and 6.3 (neutral to slightly acidic), the electrical conductivity between 129.4 μs/cmto399.3 μs/cm. The maximum EC value was observed at S5 in spring season. The turbidity of each was 0.4 to 7.067 NTU. The highest turbidity observed at S5 in winters. Total hardness of 73 (mg/L) and 506.33 (mg/L) were evident at S4 and S7 sites respectively. The BOD values ranged from 10.5 (mg/L) at S4 to 137.4 (mg/L) at S5. Higher BOD values at each site are reflecting the great extent of pollution. The minimum COD recorded at S3 (32.60 mg/L) however maximum recorded at S5 (168.65 mg/L). The results of the heavy metals showed a significant increase in the concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, Hg and As at S5 as compared to the other sites. The As concentration was 0.04, 0.08, 0.85, 0.72 and 0.71 at S2, S3, S5, S6, and S7 respectively. These values were higher than the value of Arsenic as per WHO guidelines.The average concentration of Zn obtained was 0.05, 0.786, 0.413, 0.06, 3.26,0.97 and 0.53 mg/L at S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7 respectively. The highest value of Zn was recorded at S5 (SDP) as compared to other sites. Only at S5 the zinc content is exceeding the normal value. The copper content found to be lower (1.0 mg/Ll) than permissible value according to WHO. The Cu concentration was 0.01, 0.06 0.01 at S4, S5 and S6 respectively, at S1,S2, S3 and S7 zero. The changed physicochemical parameters and occurrence of heavy metal ions indicated a significant level of pollution in Kosi River.