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Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati, Gujarat, India by physico-chemical

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 ¤ 2018 RELS, p-ISSN: 0974-4908 Publication Info
Home page: [Link] Paper received: 08.05.18
e-mail: rel_sci@[Link] Revised received: 29.05.18
Res. Environ. Life Sci., Paper Accepted: 02.06.18
ESTD: 2000 11(06) 165-171 (2018) Category: Original paper

Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati, Gujarat, India

by physico-chemical and microbiological analysis

Abstract Author Info

Sabarmati is one of the major river in Gujarat. An attempt has been made to develop water quality Krishnakumar B. Vaghela*,
index (WQI), using physico-chemical and microbiological analysis at five different sites namely Karai Devangee P. Shukla and
Dam, Gandhi Bridge, Vasna-narol Bridge, Miroli Pumping station and Vautha along the Sabarmati Nayan K. Jain
river basin from the year 2017 to 2018. The values of parameters were compared with environmental Department of Life science, School of
standards and specifically surface water quality standards as per IS: 2296-1982. The sites located science, Gujarat University,
in highly urban area showed the worst water quality followed by the station located in moderately Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India,
urban area and lastly station located in a moderately rural area. It was observed that the main cause *Corresponding author e-mail:
of deteriorationin water quality was due to the high anthropogenic activities, illegal discharge of kbvaghela.11@[Link]
sewage and industrial effluent, lack of proper sanitation, unprotected river sitesand urban [Link]
study revealed that there was indication of pollution in the river and hence preventive measures are Keywords
required to avoid further deterioration of the river water quality. Physico-chemical analysis,
microbiological analysis,Sabarmati
river, water quality index

Introduction different locations to assure its quality. Physico-chemical monitoring

Rivers are waterways of strategic importance across the measure the causes of pollution and the quantity of pollutants. It is
world, providing main water resources for domestic, industrial, and important in water management to know the concentrations of the
agricultural purposes. River is a prime example of lotic ecosystem. various constituents of water, while microbiological analysis will
Rivers are described by unidirectional flow, continuous state of identify various microorganisms present in the water, which are
physical change, high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity causative agents of water-borne disease. To assure a safe water
including biotic (aquatic plant, organisms and plankton) as well as supply, it is important to check the presence of these pathogens.
abiotic (physical and chemical) interactions (Walsh, 2012 and Materials and Methods
Agarwal, 2011).The availability of water does not mean only quantity; River Sabarmati: Sabarmati river is a well-known river in western
in fact, it includes the quality component as well. However, the India and is approximately 371 km in length. The Sabarmati river
declining quality of the water in these systems threatens their
starts its journey in the Aravalli range of Udaipur district in the state
sustainability and is therefore a cause for concern(Devangee
of Rajasthan in India. The majority course of the river flows in the
Shukla, 2017, Krishnakumar Vaghela, 2017). According to WHO
state of Gujarat, India. On the banks of Sabarmati river lie Ahmadabad
(World Health Organization), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical
and Gandhinagar, Gujarat‘s political and commercial capital. Total
Research), CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), BIS (Bureau
catchment area is 21674 km, of which 18550 km is in Gujarat. The
of Indian Standards), the water quality of about 70% river water
was contaminated due to pollutants in India and some of the river rest is in Rajasthan. The Sabarmati river basin extends over parts
water was too poor for human consumption. Sabarmati river was of Rajasthan to include Udaipur, Pali, Sirohi and Dungarpur districts.
included in the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in 1992. The basic objectives of sampling were to collect
The main thrust of the Sabarmati River Cleaning Project (SRCP) representative water samples for water quality study from the river
under NRCP Project is to stop sewage entering the river through at different strategic locations. Sampling stations were selected so
the storm water drainage system. More specifically it proposes: as to provide the realistic description of existing water quality and to
interception and diversion works; the construction of trunk sewers maximize the ease of sampling. The locations of sampling stations
and pumping stations in the periphery of the city; the de-silting of and sampling points were selected based primarily upon the physical
storm water drains; the up-gradation of existing sewage treatment situation
plants and; the provision of sanitation infrastructure in river bank Site description and sampling duration: Samples were taken
slums. The present study includes some physico-chemical and from the river Sabarmati at five different locations as mentioned
microbiological characteristics of water of Sabarmati river from five below during January-2017 to January-2018.

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 165 June, 2018

Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

Site-1 Karai Dam: Karai dam is located at 23.1252° N latitude and condition. Most important parameters that analyzed in-situ were pH,
72.6532° E longitude. It is situated at Nana chiloda in Gandhinagar dissolved oxygen, temperature and ambient temperature. Water
and 20 kms away from Ahmedabad. Distance from Ahmedabad to flow rate was also measured approximately. pH was measured
Karai Dam is 20 Km. The area is surrounded by agricultural land using the pH strip, temperature was measured using thermometer
and is a place of religious and socio-cultural activities. There are and ambient temperature was measured using infrared thermometer.
human interferences throughout the year which includes extraction Sample for dissolved oxygen was collected in a sterilized BOD
of water for irrigation, cloth washing, bathing, agricultural runoff and bottle and DO was fixed in the in-situ condition using manganese
fishing. sulfate and sodium alkali azide solution for further analysis in the
Site-2 Gandhi Bridge: Gandhi Bridge is situated between laboratory
23°2‘24’’N latitude and 72°34’24"E longitude, inside the main city Preservation of samples: Samples always change their
area. It is approximately 5 km away from the Indira bridge and composition in the container during the time of storage and analysis,
represents the midstream of the [Link] SRFDCL activity has Preservation was also essential to control the hydrolysis, biological
hindered the flow on water which has resulted into the growth of reduction, complex formation and reduction of volatility of constituents.
algal biomass during summer months especially when water level However, various additives and treatment techniques were used
is very low. The major human disturbances include dumping of as mentioned in table-1 to minimize sample deterioration.
garbage, boating activity littering of rappers, food products. Physico-chemical analysis: Samples collected from five locations
Site-3 Vasna-Narol Bridge: Vasna-narol is situated 22.9729‘ N were used for determination of pH,Colour, Turbidity,Conductivity,
latitude to 72.5883‘ E longitude,500 meters downstream the vasna Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),Suspended Solids (SS),Ammonical
barrage where the mirage of the riverfront ends. The major human Nitrogen, Percent Sodium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen,
disturbance includes dumping garbage, emptying of the industrial Fluoride, Chloride, Sulphate,Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical
and sewage waste and bathing of animals. Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Site-4 Miroli pumping station:Miroli pumping station is located Phosphate, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium,
in daskroi of district Ahmadabad. The latitude and longitude of Potassium, Alkalinity, TOC, Heavy Metals by ICP-MS, Pesticide
miroli is 22º52"N and 72º31"E. Sabarmati at miroli pumping station Residues by GC-MS (APHA,2012).
is downstream of vasna-narol bridge. The water is used for Microbiological analysis: MPN test for total coliform and fecal
agricultural activities and irrigation purpose. coliform (APHA, 2012).
Site-5 Vautha:Vautha is located in Ahmadabad district. The latitude Water quality index (WQI): NSF (National Sanitation
and longitude of vautha is 22º39’N and 72º32’E. It is a meeting Foundation) WQI is an excellent management and general
place of seven rivers in Gujrat. It is the place where the joining of administrative tool in communicating water quality information. This
seven rivers that are Sabarmati, vatrak, majum, khari, meshwo, index has been widely field tested and applied to data from a
shedhi and hathmati that is also known as saptasangam. Sabarmati number of different geographical areas all over the world in order
at vautha is the last point in Ahmedabad after it, disposed into a bay to calculate Water Quality Index (WQI) of various water bodies
of khambhat. The water is used for agricultural activities and irrigation critical pollution parameters were considered. The water quality
purpose. index was calculated using a software i.e. water quality index
Sampling procedure: The objective of sampling was to collect a calculator and the water quality of different sites were judged
portion of water from the water body which was small enough in using water quality index legend given in table-3.
volume to be conveniently transported and handled in the laboratory, Results and Discussion
while still accurately retaining its representatively. This implies that Temperature is important parameter for the biochemical and
the relative proportions or concentrations of the components of physiological process in the aquatic organisms. Value of water
interest should be the same in the samples when they are being temperature ranged from 270C to 310C in all the selected sites.
analyzed, as they were originally in the river or drain. The sample Minimum value of 270C was recorded at site-1 and maximum value
was collected in plastic carboys. This was done in such a way that
of 310C at site-3 and site-5. In natural waters pH changes daily and
no addition (e.g. contamination), loss (e.g. adsorption to the wall of
seasonally because of difference in photosynthetic activity which
the sample bottle) or deterioration (e.g. physico-chemical or biological
enhances the pH due the utilization of CO2 during the process. Most
degradation or transformation) of the sample was allowed. At an
chemical and biological reactions occur at narrow range of pH
appropriate depth, sample was collected. Sample collection method
for the analysis was carried out according to the procedure given (Shukla, 2013 and 2017). The pH is a measure of the acidic or
inStandard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, alkaline conditions of the water. When the water is used for drinking
(APHA, 2012). Different types of reagents and media are used for purpose, the pH level of the water has an important effect on all
physico-chemical analysis and microbiological analysis respectively. body chemistry, health and disease because human body consists
Field Measurements: Some parameters are more likely to be of 50–60 % water. The rivers are usually classified as alkaline
affected by sampling procedure and sample storage than others. In water type, and display pH in the range of 6.8-7.8 units (Manoj and
several cases, the effect is very large thereby making it necessary Padhy 2015). The values ranged between 7.10±0.91 and
to analyze those parameters at the sampling site or in the in-situ 7.85±0.57 with minimum value at site-1 and maximum at site-5. The

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 166 June, 2018

Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

Site-3 Vasna-Narol Bridge

Site-4 Miroli
Pumping Station

Fig. 1: Sabarmati river basin along with five different sampling sites

Site-4 Miroli
Site-1 Karai Dam Pumping Station

Site-5 Vautha

Site-2 Gandhi Bridge

Fig. 2: Selected Sampling sites of Sabarmati River

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 167 June, 2018

Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

Table-1: Preservation of collected samples *(P= Plastic Container, G= Glass Container)

Parameter Container Preservative Maximum
Holding Period
Acidity/Alkalinity/TDS/Conductivity/ P+,G++ Refrigerator 24 Hrs
Turbidity/SO4-2/NO2-N/NOx-N/PO4-P/Etc
BOD P, G Refrigerator 6 Hrs
Boron P, G Not Required -
COD P, G 2 Ml H2so4/L, To Obtain Final pH<2 7 Days
Cyanide P, G Refrigrator,Add Naoh To pH>12 24 Hrs
Colour P, G Refrigerator 24 Hrs
Dissolved Oxygen (Winkler) 300ml Glass Bod Bottle On Site Add 2ml Mnso 4 + 2ml Alkali Iodide Azide 8 Hrs
Metals P, G Add Hno3 To pH<2 6 Months
Mercury P, G Add Hno3 To pH <2 7 Days
Ammonical Niotrogen P, G Add Hno3 To pH <2 7 Days
Kjeldhal Nitrogen P, G Add Hno3 To pH <2 7 Days
Oil And Grease G(Wide Mouth) Refrigerator, Add Hcl To pH>2 28 Days
Organic Carbon G Refrigerator 7 Days
Phenolic Compounds P,G Refrigerator, 1 Gm CuSO 4 + H3PO4 Or H2SO4 24 Hrs
Sulphide P,G Refrigerator, Add 4 Drops Of Zink Acetate/100ml; Add Naoh pH>9 7 Days
Pesticides Glass Tfe-Line Cap Refrigerator, Add 1 Gm Ascorbic Acid/L, If Residual Chlorine Present 7 Days
Toxicity G(Amber Color) Refrigerator 24 Hrs
Bacteriological Parameters Sterile Glass Bottle Refrigerator 6 to 8 Hrs
pH value range from 7.50 to 8.40 is observed by (Prajapati, 2014) Conductivity is important because it directly affects the quality of the
in Sabarmati river. pH has no direct bad effect on health, however, water used for drinking and irrigation. Electrical conductivity varied
a lower value below 4 changes the taste of water to sour and higher from 247.1±10.02 µs/cm to 3000±90.04 02 µs/cm. Maximum values
value above 8 gives an alkaline taste. pH lower than 6 corrodes the was recorded atthe site and minimum value was recorded at the
water pipes, thus releasing toxic metals such as Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu [Link] dissolved solids (TDS) is the amount of dissolved solids
etc. pH in the range 3.5- 4.5 affects the fishre production (Avvanavar (i.e. salts) whereas TSS is the amount of suspended solids in the
and Shrihari 2008; Leo and Dekkar 2000).The colour indicates water. TDS consists of oxygen-demanding wastes, disease-causing
level of pollution in a first appearance; darker colour indicates high agents,which can cause immense harm to public health. The
level of pollution. The color range falls within 05±01 to 210±20 presence of synthetic organic chemicals (fuels, detergents,paints,
platinum/cobalt units where minimum range obtained at site-1 and solvents, etc) imparts objectionable and offensive tastes, odors and
maximum at site-3, but within the permissible limits that is 300 colors to fish and aquatic plants evenwhen they were present in low
[Link] of water is actually the expression of optical property concentrations (Sawyer et al., 1994; Leo and Dekkar 2000).
in which the light is scattered by the particles present in the water. Dissolved ions affect the pH of water, which in turn may influence
The high turbidity during summer season may be due to addition of the health of aquatic species. Total dissolved solids values varied in
large addition of sand, clay, slit, dung and various other pollutant the study area from 140±10 mg/l to 1700±50 mg/l and TSS values
amounts of sewage waste and pollutant from the surrounding area. varied from 04±1 mg/l to 408±20 mg/l. The highest value noted at
Higher turbidity affects the life indirectly as its cut of light to be utilized site-3 and lowest at [Link] in surface water can be of
by the plants for photosynthesis there by lowering the rate of primary various sources like organic origin, inorganic origin and the air
productivity and check the phytoplankton growth. High level of deposition. Although ammonia is a nutrient required for life, it is toxic
turbidity may minimize the phytoplankton population reduction in for aquatic organism and excess of ammonia can accumulate in the
turbidity is associated with a reduction in suspended matter and organism cause alteration in metabolism or increase body pH (M.
microbial growth. Turbidity ranged from 5 to 16 NTU were observed Pandya, 2014 and Patil, 2010) NH3-N of the sites were ranges
in Sabarmati. (Kiran Prajapati,2014). Turbid water also interferes between 0.19±0.02 mg/l to 20.22±0.11 mg/l. High NH3-N level in
with self-purification of streams by reducing the photosynthetic activity and evidently signify the effect of remarkable sewage contamination
of aquatic plants. Here turbidity ranges between 1.2±0.8 to 76.8±2.1 as well as significant organic effluence into the river. The total kjeldahl
NTU. EC is measure of water capacity to convey electric current. It nitrogen values were lowest at site-1 and highest at site-3. Excess
signifies the amount of total dissolved salts and is a useful tool to nitrate nitrogen can cause eutrophication of surface waters due to
evaluate the purity of water (Shah [Link] al, 2008). Conductivity over stimulation of growth of aquatic plants and algae. It causes
shows significant correlation with ten parameters such as anaerobic conditions in the water bodies leading to fish kills, and
temperature, pH, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, and total solids, can even ‘‘kill’’ a lake by depriving it of oxygen. High levels of
total dissolved solid and iron concentration of water. The more Nitrate nitrogen can cause the respiration efficiency of fish and
dissolved salts in the water, the more electricity the water will conduct. aquatic invertebrates to lower down, leading to a decrease in animal
EC is the ability of the water to conduct an electrical current. and plant diversity, and affects use of the water for fishing, swimming,

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 168 June, 2018

Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

Table-2: Analysis of collected water samples at five different sites

Source Site-1 Site-2 Site-3 Vasna- Site-4 Miroli Site-5
Parameters Unit Indira Bridge Gandhi Bridge Narol Bridge Pumping Station Vautha
Temperature (Water/Ambient) Centigrade 27º /32 º C 29º/33 º C 31º/38 º C 30º/35 º C 31º/37 º C
pH pH Units 7.10±0.91 7.20±0.52 7.78±0.63 7.47±0.85 7.85±0.57
Color Hazen 05±01 30±03 210±20 100±11 70±08
Turbidity NTU 1.2±0.8 25.2±1.8 76.8±2.1 47.9±1.4 21.6±2.2
Conductivity µs/cm 247.1±10.02 417±25.01 3000±90.04 1500±45.07 1200±38.09
Total Dissolved Solids mg/l 140±10 232±13 1700±50 980±30 710±39
Total Suspended Solids mg/l 04±1 18±2 408±20 62±4 118±8
Ammonical Nitrogen mg/l 0.19±0.02 3.58±0.04 20.22±0.11 17.17±0.05 14.71±0.03
Percent Sodium % 20±0.3 35±0.9 60±2.1 51±1.5 44±0.5
Nitrate (NO3-N) mg/l 0.09±0.01 1.33±0.31 3.01±0.22 4.73±0.12 1.19±0.14
Nitrite (NO2-N) mg/l 0.02±0.01 0.12±0.01 0.03±0.01 0.05±0.01 0.03±0.0
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg/l 0.34±0.02 5.99±0.09 68.04±1.08 35.17±0.32 32.93±1.81
Fluoride mg/l 0.11±0.02 0.21±0.01 0.49±0.02 0.41±0.03 0.45±0.02
Chloride mg/l 22±1.03 37±1.06 619±10.03 440±11.03 485±14.02
Sulphate mg/l 15±1 26±2 465±15 213±12 249±10
Dissolved Oxygen mg/l 5.8±0.14 5.2±0.26 0.00 0.00 4.2±0.35
Chemical Oxygen Demand mg/l 04±0.5 50±02 154±03 137±10 128±08
Phosphate mg/l 0.11±0.02 0.37±0.06 0.34±0.02 1.83±0.04 1.85±0.02
Total Hardness as CaCO3 mg/l 59±01 55±03 300±21 200±17 240±11
Calcium mg/l 22.84±0.52 21.24±0.22 80.22±0.31 56.11±0.23 60.12±0.78
Magnesium mg/l 0.48±0.03 0.68±0.08 12.16±0.52 14.59±0.14 21.88±0.58
Sodium mg/l 16±01 44±02 921±20 609±21 520±23
Potassium mg/l 02±0.8 04±0.4 50±0.2 24±0.8 15±0.6
Alkalinity as CaCO3 mg/l 137±05 120±02 129±03 170±05 189±06
BOD (3 days 27oC) mg/l 0.00 19±01 58±03 55±02 35±02
Arsenic mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Zinc mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Hexavalent chromium mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Copper mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Iron mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Cadmium mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Manganese mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Nickel mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Lead mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Mercury mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Total Coliform MPN/100 17±02 470±05 5400±07 920±04 640±04
Fecal Coliform MPN/100 06±01 100±03 980±08 220±06 140±04
TOC mg/l 1.5±0.2 7.7±0.3 53.4±1.1 32.6±0.4 21.93±0.8
Pesticides mg/l BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL
Extent of pollution water Quality Index EXCELLENT GOOD BAD MEDIUM MEDIUM
and boating. High levels of Nitrate nitrogen in water can cause values of chloride were troublesome in irrigation water and also
serious health hazards. In the present study values ranges for harmful to aquatic life (Kumar et al., 2011). Chloride increases the
nitrate between 0.09±0.01 mg/l to 4.73±0.12 mg/l whereas for degree of eutrophication (Goel et al., 1980), but low level of chloride
nitrite values ranges between 0.02±0.01 mg/l to 0.12±0.01 mg/l. suggests reduction in eutrophication. The maximum chloride level
The highest values noted at site-2 for nitrite and site-4 for nitrate and found 619±10.03 mg/l and the minimum chloride level was found
lowest at site-1 for nitrite and [Link] the present study the mean 22±1.03 mg/l. The tolerance limit of chloride by CPCB is 600 mg/l
value of fluoride level is ranges from 0.11±0.02 mg/l to 0.49±0.02 for inland surface water class C. Sulphate is naturally occurring
mg/l. The tolerance limit for the fluoride is 1.5 mg/l for inland surface anion found in almost all kinds of water bodies. It may undergo
water class C as per CPCB. The highest value observed at site-3, transformation to sulphur or hydrogen sulphide. It is also an important
where lowest observed at [Link] is one of the important anion imparting hardness to the water (Trivedy et al., 1986 and
indicators of water pollution. Chlorides are present in sewage and 1995). The sulphate content in the present study ranged between
farm drainage. Chloride occurs naturally in all type of water. High 15±1 mg/l to 465±15 mg/l. The maximum sulphate value was
concentration of chloride was considered to be the indicator of recorded at site-3 and minimum value was recorded at [Link]
pollution due to organic wastes of animal or industrial origin. High is slightly higher than the range as per CPCB is 400mg/l for class C

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 169 June, 2018

Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

Table-3: Range of water quality index water with hardness up to 75 mg/l is classified as soft; 76-150 mg/l
Extent Range Quality is moderately soft, 151- 300 mg/l as hard and more than 300 mg/l
90-100 EXCELLENT as very hard (Bharti, 2011and Tyagi, 2013). The hardness mean
70-90 GOOD value of the present study area ranges from 55±03 mg/l to 300±21
50-70 MEDIUM mg/l. The tolerance limit of chloride by CPCB is 300 mg/l for inland
25-50 BAD surface water class C. The mean value of magnesium showing
0-25 VERY BAD very strong positive correlation against hardness content in the
and within the limits as per 1000 mg/l for class E. Dissolved oxygen investigated from the different locations of Sabarmati river water
concentration in a water body indicates its ability to support aquatic samples were ranging from 32 to 46 mg/l (Prajapati, 2014). Calcium
life. In the present study, the DO level fluctuated between 4.2±0.35 is directly related to hardness and is the chief cation in the water.
mg/l to 5.8±0.14 mg/l. Maximum DO was found at Site-1 and minimum The mean value of calcium concentration ranged between
value found at Site-5. The fluctuation of DO level could be due to the 21.24±0.22 mg/l to 80.22±0.31 mg/l in which highest value found at
fluctuation of water temperature and the addition of oxygen site-3 and lowest value at site-2. The values for magnesium vary
demanding substances through sewage and industrial waste. Higher between 0.48±0.03 mg/l to 21.88±0.58 mg/l in which highest value
DO facilitating the abundant growth of phytoplankton and related found at site-5 and lowest value at [Link] is composed
zooplankton leading to higher biological activity was observed in primarily of carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), alkalinity
river water. The low DO value indicates the bio-degradation of acts as a stabilizer for pH. Alkalinity, pH and hardness affect the
organic matter and decay of vegetation (Singh and Rai, 2003). The toxicity of many substances in the aquatic phenomenon. The
dissolved oxygen values are acceptable for the use of water for concentration of alkalinity in Sabarmati river water samples ranged
drinking purpose. However, the BOD values obtained indicates between 120±02 mg/l to 189±06 mg/l in which highest values
that the water is contaminated by degradable organic impurities. found at site-5 and lowest at [Link] and potassium are
The Dissolved Oxygen in the river water showed marked variation important cat ions occurring naturally in waters. Their major sources
at different sites. When temperature increases, solubility of gas in in water are the weathering of rocks (Solanki, 2011 and Verma,
water decreases and microbial activity increases; both these 2012). Both the sodium and potassium are highly soluble in nature
changes can reduce DO in water (Lumb, 2006 and Joshi, and do not form any precipitating salts. They have a strongly
2004).Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is common method of tendency to remain absorbed on soil particles, but can be easily
assessing pollutant organic material in water. It is the quantity of exchanged by divalent cations like calcium and magnesium(Datta,
oxygen used by micro-organisms so that the organic material oxidizes 1983 and Jakher, 2003). The river water contained relatively higher
completely. Sources of BOD in aquatic environment include dead concentration of sodium and calcium than potassium and magnesium.
plants and animals, industrial effluents, leaves and woody debris, In this study sodium values ranges between 16±01 mg/l to 921±20
Waste water treatment plants, animal manure, etc. High values of mg/l whereas values for potassium ranges between 02±0.8 mg/l to
191mg/l BOD were recorded at vasana barrage, Sabarmati River 50±0.2 mg/l. The higher values for both sodium and potassium
(Rajeshwari, 2009 and Xiang, 2012). In the present study, the found at site-3 and lower values at [Link] the present study shows
BOD level ranges between 19±01 mg/l to 58±03 mg/l. Maximum oil and grease below detectable limit (BDL). The tolerance limit for
value was found at Site-3 and minimum value at [Link] Chemical oil and grease as per CPCB is 0.1mg/l. generally river water does
Oxygen Demand (COD) is a measure of oxygen equivalent to the not have oil and grease. But if there is addition of effluent from oil
organic matter content of the water susceptible to oxidation by a industries into the river then oil and grease is detected. In present
strong chemical oxidant and thus is an index of organic pollution in study below detectable limit it means the water at this site does not
the river (Khaiwal Ravindra et al., 2003). The COD concentration contain oil and grease. Heavy metals and pesticide residues were
in the Sabarmati river water was 04±0.5 mg/l to 154±03 mg/l. The found below detection limit at all five selected sites for Sabarmati
higher value noted at site-3 and lower value at site-1. COD was river water sampling. TOC values ranges between 1.5±0.2 mg/l to
fluctuated from 24.00 to 152.00mg/l in Tapi River (Khan, 2003 and 53.4±1.1 mg/l. For this study highest values found at site-3 and
Sahni, 2012). The permissible limit for inland surface water by lowest at site-1.
CPCB is 250 mg/[Link] occurs in natural water as various Bacteriological studies: The results of bacteriological studies
types of phosphates. It is also a critical nutrient like nitrate for the were given in result table. The MPN index was high, which indicated
growth of algae in the aquatic realm. The most important sources of dense pollution of bacteria in the water samples (Adewoye and
phosphates discharge of domestic sewage, detergents and Lateef, 2004). The comparative analysis of the microbial load
agricultural runoff (McClell and Ni, 1974). Values of phosphate indicates that bacteria were encounted more where effluents were
ranged from 0.11±0.02 mg/l to 1.85±0.02 mg/l. with the minimum discharged in the river than both the upstream and the downstream.
value in site-1 and the maximum value in site-5. High values of Similar results were obtained in the study area of a polluted Oba
phosphate are might be due to discharge of municipality sewage river exposed to human agricultural waste (Bakare et al., 2002). In
and dumping of domestic waste into the [Link] hardness of the present study the mean value of Fecal coliform were ranges
water is not a pollution parameter but indicates water quality mainly from 06±01 to 980±08 found higher at site-3 and lower at site-1.
in terms of Ca+2, Mg+2content. According to some classifications, The Total coliform were ranges from 17±02 to 5400±07 which is

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 170 June, 2018

 Krishnakumar et al. Water quality evaluation of River Sabarmati

higher than the normal range and found maximum at site-3 and Devangee Shukla: Eco-Friendly Approach for Environment Pollution: A
lowest at [Link] tolerance limit for the Total coliform as per CPCB Review on Bioremediation in IJCAR, 6: 10 (2017).
Jakher G.R. and Rawat M.: Studies on physico-chemical parameters of Tropical
for MPN/100ml is 5000. Lake, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Indian J. of Aquatic Biol., 18: 79-83,(2003).
Water quality index: Water Quality Index allows for a general Khan, F., Husain, T., Lumb, A.: Water quality evaluation and trend analysis
analysis of water quality on many levels that affect a stream’s ability in selected watersheds of the atlantic region of Canada. Environ.
to host life and whether the overall quality of water bodies poses Monit. Assess., 88: 221–248 (2003).
Khaiwal Ravindra, Amen, Meenakshi, Monika, Rani and Amubha Kaushik:
apotential threat to various uses of water (Akkaraboyina and Raju seasonal variation in Physical, chemical characteristics of river (2003).
2012). From Table-3, the average WQI of Site-1 ranges between Kumar, R.N., McCullough, C.D., and Lund, M.A.: How does storage affect the
90 to 100, Site-2 ranges between 70 to 90, Site-3 ranges between quality and quantity of organic carbon in sewage for use in the bioremediation
25 to 50, Site-4 ranges between 50 to 70 and Site-5 ranges between of acidic mine waters?. Ecological engineering, 37: 1205-1213, (2011).
Kavita Sahni and Sheela Yadav: Seasonal Variations in Physico-Chemical
50 to 70. As per WQI, water quality at Site-3 was bad, Site-2 was Parameters of Bharawas Pond, Rewari, Haryana. Asian J. of
good and at Site-4 and site-5 was good and site-1 was excellent. Experimental Sci., 26: 61-64 (2012).
The results of Water Quality Index are illustrated in the table. WQI Kiran, P.: Ecological evaluation of water of Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. Asian
values at these different sites indicate that water quality deteriorates J. of Animal Sci., 9: 38-42 (2014).
Krishna Kumar Vaghela: Impact of Pollution on Aquatic Fauna of River
as river flows from rural to urbanized area. Ecosystem: A Review in IJCAR, 6: 10 (2017).
In the present study, all the water quality parameters showed Leo, M.L., Dekkar, M.: Hand book of water analysis (1–25,115–117, 143,
variation at the five monitoring sites along with Sabarmati river. The 175, 223–226, 261, 273, 767). Marcel Dekker, New York,(2000).
values of parameters were compared with environmental standards Lumb, A., Halliwell, D., Sharma, T.: Application of CCME water quality
index to monitor water quality: a case of the Mackenzie River basin,
and specifically with surface water quality standards as per IS:2296- Canada. Environ. Monit. Assess., 113: 411–429 (2006).
1982. The main cause of deterioration in water quality at these five McClelland NI, Water quality index application in the Kansas River Basin.
monitoring sites were due to the high anthropogenic activities, illegal EPA-907/9-74-001. US EPA Region VII. Kansas City, MO,(1974).
discharge of sewage and industrial effluent, lack of proper sanitation, Manoj, K., and Padhy, P.K.: Discourse and Review of Environmental Quality of River
Bodies in India: An Appraisal of Physico-chemical and Biological Parameters
unprotected river sites, and urban runoff. There is a need of regular as Indicators of Water Quality. Current World Environ., 10: 537 (2015).
and detailed water quality monitoring of the Sabarmati river which is National River Conservation Plan,NRCP (1992).
presently carried out by the state and central pollution control board. Pandya, M.: [Link]
There is a need to the identify changes or trends in water quality water-quality-of-sabarmati-has-very-high-pollutants-those-managing-
are-violating-cpcb norms/[Link], (2014).
over time and space, to obtain necessary information to design Patil, N., Ahmed, A., Sureshbabu, H., Kottureshwar, N. M., Jayashree, M.
specific pollution prevention programs and to determine whether and Nijalingappa, J.: Study on the physico-chemical characteristics
goals such as compliance with pollution regulations or implementation of ground water of gulbarga city (Karnataka). IJABPT, 1: 518-523, (2010).
of effective pollution control actions are being met. Raxit, Joshi, Study of quality of river water in Mehsana district. Dessertation,
p. 47, P.G. Centre in Zoology, M. N. College, Visnagar. Hemchandracharya
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