Physicochemical Analysis of Water Quality of Budhi Gandak River at Begusarai, Bihar, India

Authors: Kalpana Shahi, Pawan kumar Pandey

Country: India

Full-text Research PDF File:   View   |   Download

Abstract: The present study was carried out to assess the physicochemical characteristics of water of the Budhi Gandak River at Begusarai, Bihar, India. Water samples were collected from ten selected sites along the river and analysed for fifteen physicochemical parameters, namely temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, alkalinity, chloride, sulphate and nitrate. The results showed that the water temperature ranged from 25.8 to 26.8°C and pH from 7.42 to 7.63, indicating neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Turbidity ranged from 18.2 to 31.7 NTU, while total dissolved solids ranged from 264 to 334 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen varied from 4.9 to 6.2 mg/L, whereas BOD and COD ranged from 2.1 to 3.2 mg/L and 18.4 to 29.3 mg/L, respectively. Higher values of turbidity, EC, TDS, BOD, COD, hardness, alkalinity, chloride, sulphate and nitrate were observed at the urban and drainage-influenced sites, particularly S7, where the lowest DO was also recorded. Most of the measured parameters were within the corresponding BIS IS 10500:2012 limits, while turbidity was higher than the prescribed drinking-water limit. The study indicates that urban activities, domestic wastewater and surface runoff influence the water quality of the studied river stretch. Regular monitoring and proper management of wastewater and drainage are therefore necessary for maintaining the water quality of the Budhi Gandak River.

Keywords: Budhi Gandak River, water quality, physicochemical parameters, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, Begusarai, Bihar

Paper Id: 233221

Published On: 2015-01-08

Published In: Volume 3, Issue 1, January-February 2015

Share this