The impact of industrial and urban activities on the water quality of tunia river Assam

Abstract

newline ABSTRACT newline newlineThe water quality of Tunia River, flowing through Bongaigaon, an industrial town in Lower Assam of India, is being gradually deteriorated due to receiving of effluent, domestic and municipal waste water, sewages and other waste materials from various sources. The physico-chemical and biological constituents are being gradually increased against the natural level in the river water. As a result, the fish and other aquatic lives are being gradually depleted in the river and lead to biological desert. The river is also facing environmental problem in regard of eutrophication and overgrowth of water hyacinth due to lean flow and low level of water, favourable climatic condition, abundance of nutrients and other exotic components in river water. The eutrophication and overgrowth of water hyacinth along with effluent, waste water, sewage and other waste materials initiated severe adverse impact to fish and other aquatic flora and fauna in the river system. The natural self-purification process of the river is less efficacious to reduce their adverse impact and finally initiated adverse impact to ground water and soil at the nearby area of the river system. newlineThis study was carried out with broad objectives to identify and list sources of pollution in the river and impact of pollution on its water quality and ground water and soils of the catchment area and suggest remedial measures for preventing deterioration of water quality. newlineThe analysis of river water had been performed to evaluate physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters through the selection of sampling stations, samples collection and programs and necessary experimental works. The bioassay test had been performed to ascertain the toxicity of river water. The effluents of industrial units, waste water of urban area and waste water including sewage of railway junction were analysed for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. Evaluation of ground water quality had been performed through the selection of sampling points, samples collection and programme and experimental works for necessary parameters. The soil quality was evaluated through the selection of sampling sites, samples collection and sampling programme and experimental works for necessary parameters. Necessary information from the nearby residents at catchment area in regard of adverse impact on agriculture, horticulture, drinking water sources and others as initiated by the water of Tunia River was collected through a scheduled survey. newlineThe results so obtained were compiled in terms of Statistical Analysis, water quality index, generally called the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and its graphical characteristics of water quality and Seasonal Index and status of water quality at different strategic location points determined by Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Percentage Saturation of Dissolved Oxygen (DO%), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Indian Standards Institution (ISI) Classification of water resources. newlineThe impact of water quality of the river system has been analyzed and studied in regard to deterioration of physico-chemical quality, eutrophication, overgrowth of water hyacinth, bacteriological quality, self-purification process and ecology of the river system, soil and ground water quality of the nearby areas. newlineThe results of the study showed that the water quality of Tunia River is being gradually deteriorated by point and non-point sources of pollution by about 9312m3/day of effluents from industrial units and about 9112m3/day of waste water from the urban area, which corresponds to a release of about 915.96kg/day and 3337.17kg/day of organic pollution load respectively into the river. The river also receives about 196.28kg of oil and grease and 75.31kg of phenolic compounds in a day from various industrial sources in addition to human excreta through direct discharge from katcha latrines. newlineAppropriate measures are suggested against the pollution of industrial sources and urban sources for reducing the pollution load. Besides, the important measures are proposed in regard to protection of ground water and soil, monitoring and surveillance, and other remedial measures for preservation of water of the Tunia River in relation to aim and objectives of the study for greater interest of the natural environment. newlineAn introduction to the study is given in Chapter-1 of this thesis while a detailed report on review of literature on similar previous works done is incorporated in Chapter-2. A description of the study area along with its ecological set up and the sources of pollution is given in Chapter-3. The methodology along with the work done is described in Chapter-4. The results of the work done and discussions thereon are detailed in Chapter-5 while the outcome of the work and recommendations are summarized as Conclusions in Chapter-6. newline newline