assessment of physicochemical quality pertaining to heavy metals present in sirhind canal for purposes of drinking water and its use in irrigation

Abstract

newlineWater is an essential natural resource of life. Water consists of physical and chemical substances that help to survive the every living thing on the earth. Water resources and water quality both effect on the economic, social and political development of a society. The aim of study to assess the water quality of Sirhind canal and groundwater samples of adjoining villages along the canal in Malwa region of Punjab and its suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes. Surface water and groundwater samples were collected from various locations of Sirhind canal. The samples were analyzed for different physic- chemical properties such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Turbidity, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorides, Fluoride, Residual chlorine, BOD, COD and nitrate. The concentration of heavy metals and Uranium were also analyzed by using Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The obtained results were compared with Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO). newline newlineIn the present study, Most of canal water samples were found to be within the prescribed permissible limit. pH and COD values in few cases were found slightly high. Turbidity was varied 4.02 to 180 NTU and found above the permissible limits. Moreover, concentration of Uranium and heavy metals were found to be absent or below the detection limit in canal water samples except Fe metal. The concentration of Fe was recorded between 0.004 - 1.7579 mg/l and was above of the permissible limit only in Ludhiana and Sangrur districts. On the other hand, groundwater samples that were collected along to Sirhind canal, there physico-chemical quality was poor in the study area. Most of groundwater samples were above of the permissible limits. Maximum concentration of Uranium (85.48 µg/I), Nitrate (134.81 mg/l), Conductivity (1394 µs/cm), COD (23.2mg/l), total alkalinity (584 mg/l), Total Hardness (476 mg/l) and Calcium (115mg/l) were recorded. Rest of parameters was within the desirable an