Assessment of Anthropogenically Induced Pollution in the Surface Water of River Ganga: A Study in the Dakshineswar Ghat, West Bengal, India

M. Roy; Farzana Shamim

Abstract

The river Ganga is one of the most important and sacred rivers of India. During the last few decades, massive pollution has affected its water quality. The present study reports the impact of anthropological pollutant load on river Ganga at Dakshineswar, W.B, India. Surface water samples for a two-year study (2017-19) were collected from DakshineswarGhat of the river Ganga during pre-post and monsoon seasons. The water samples were collected both during low and high tide and analyzed for different chemical and physical parameters viz.; temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electric Conductivity (EC). The mean values of these parameters were used to assess the suitability of river water by comparing it with the World Health Organization (WHO). Variation of pollutant load is observed and the value diverges during low and high tide. During the complete study, the value of pH is found to be normal the total ranges of value lie between 7 to 8. The TDS value is found to be a little high during the post-monsoon season (260 mg/l). The observed values of major parameters were slightly higher than the standard limits. The results suggest that the water quality is very poor and needs proper treatment before use. There is an urgent need for proper treatment of domestic and industrial waste before discharging into water. Restrictions should be implemented on the disposal of wastes from various religious activities.

Abstract

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