Study of Physio- Chemical Parameter of Kharun River
and Concentration of Heavy Metal (Iron)
Aditi Shivhare1,
Akash Upadhyay2, Pallavi Sinha3, *
1,2,3 Department
of Zoology, Govt. Nagarjuna Post Graduate College of Science, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
*Corresponding Author: pallavi.sinha10@gmail.com
Abstract:
The water is
most essential part of daily life the main sources of water are rain, rivers
and ponds, etc. Kharun river is main river that flows in many urban and rural
area of Raipur. Due to increased anthropogenic activities, such as discharge of
industrial wastes and untreated sewage along with environmental effects have
significantly contaminated the water in last decade. Water quality problems
influence human and environmental health, therefore the more we monitor our
water the better we will be able to recognize and prevent contamination issues.
In present study water sample was collected in three different seasons (Summer,
Rainy, Winter) from five different sites of Kharun river (Approx. 25 km
stretch) to analyses for Physio- chemical parameter and Iron concentration in
river. The results so obtained shows that the value of all parameter is above
the permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) so the contamination
in river has negative health effect on the rural and the urban area. Kharun
river water is polluted and not safe to use without treatment.
Keywords: Heavy Metals, Kharun River, Physio- Chemical Parameter,
Iron.
Introduction
A significant problem in developing countries is the
shortage of enough drinkable water, particularly for rural residents who depend
on streams, rivers, and ponds as their primary sources of drinking water.
Rivers are vital freshwater systems that are fragile and necessary for the
existence of all species. They serve as the main sources of water for domestic,
industrial, and agricultural needs (Farah et al., 2002; Oboh and Agbala,
2017). River waters are unfortunately being contaminated by sewage discharge,
industrial waste, and a range of human activities that change their
physicochemical qualities (Koshy and Nayar, 1999). Human health is at risk from
water pollution caused by pathogenic organisms, chemicals, heavy metals,
pesticides, and disinfectants that seep from soil, rocks, and atmospheric
deposition as a result of industrial and agricultural operations (Kumar and
Puri, 2012). Even more dangerous metal-natural complex contaminations have been
discovered to develop when heavy metal contaminations react to specific natural
substances under specific conditions (Maceda-Veiga et al., 2013;
Chowdhury et al., 2016; Hong et al., 2020).
Site and Sample Collection:
The Kharun River is also known as the Kharua River,
Situated in Raipur District, Chhattisgarh, India. The Kharun River is
geotechnically located in the Raipur area between 21° 33' 38" N latitude
and 81° 55' 25" E longitude. The Kharun River is situated in an industrial
and urban area that is near Raipur and Durg, two significant cities (Kumar et
al., 2023). The sample was collected from five different sites of Kharun
River i.e., Site1 (S1), Site2 (S2), Site3 (S3), Site4 (S4), Site5 (S5) along
the stretch of 25 km in sampling bottles in three different seasons i.e.,
summer, rainy and winter respectively.
Fig. Five
different sites of sampling from Kharun River
Materials and Methods
Iron Detection and Physio- Chemical Analysis of Water Sample
Water collected from
different sites, mentioned above at different seasons i.e. summer, rainy and
winter in triplicate, were examined by below methods in testing laboratory (Center for Groundwater Recharge
Testing Laboratory, Geetanjali Nagar, Raipur).
Physio- Chemical
Analysis: -
|
S.No.
|
PARAMETERS
|
METHODS
|
|
1.
|
Color
|
Physical Analysis.
|
|
2.
|
Odor
|
Smell.
|
|
3.
|
Temperature
|
Thermometer.
|
|
4.
|
Turbidity
|
Turbidimeter.
|
|
5.
|
pH
|
pH meter
|
|
6.
|
Conductivity
|
Conductometer.
|
|
7.
|
Hardness
|
EDTA Titration (APHA, 2017).
|
|
8.
|
BOD
|
Hanna Analyzer.
|
|
9.
|
COD
|
Hanna Analyzer.
|
|
10.
|
DO
|
Hanna Analyzer.
|
a.
Color: Water sample was examined by physical method
by seeing whether its milky, muddy, clear etc.
b.
Odor: Identified by
smelling it i.e., No odor, pungent, fishy etc.
c.
Temperature: Temperature was identified by dipping
thermometer in water at different site to a particular depth at different time
interval and reading was noted down.
d.
Turbidity: Turbidity of
water sample was measured by using following methods
o
Clean and clear
sampling bottle was taken (glass or special plastic).
o
Before collecting the
final sample, bottle was washed 2–3 times with river water.
o
Bottle was filled up
to the mark (usually marked on the vial).
o
Shaking or disturbing
sediment during water collection was avoided.
o
Now after that sample
was tested in turbidimeter and reading is noted down.
e.
pH: For testing the pH of water portable pH meter was used.
o
pH meter was calibrated before using with standard buffer
solutions according to the manufacturer's instructions.
o
Clean and clear
sampling bottle was taken (glass or special plastic).
o
Before collecting the
final sample, bottle was rinsed 2–3 times with river water.
o
Probe was dipped in water sample, ensuring the electrode
is fully submerged and not touching the sides or bottom of the bottle.
o
Reading was allowed to stabilize it takes 30 seconds to 2
minutes for reading.
f.
Conductivity: Conductivity is measured by using
conductometer
o Clean, non-reactive
sample collecting bottle (e.g., plastic or glass) was taken for water
collection, bottle was rinsed three times with river water from the sampling
site before taking the final sample.
o
Probe
was washed with distilled water and then with sample water prior to immersion.
o
Conductivity
probe was immersed fully in sample, making it sure that probe does not touch
the sides or bottom of the bottle.
o
Waited till the reading became stabilize
(usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes).
g. Hardness: The method used for measuring this parameter is EDTA
titration method (APHA, 2017)
h. DO (Dissolved Oxygen): Was measured by hanna
analyzer
o
Water sample is
collected in clean dry sampling bottle.
o
DO probe was
calibrated in air or saturated water indicated in hanna manual.
o
Probe was washed
with distilled water and gently blot dry.
o
Probe was induced
in to the water sample (avoid air bubbles).
o
Reading was
allowed to stabilize.
o
DO value (mg/L)
and temperature (°C) was recorded.
i.
BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand): Was measured by hanna analyzer
o
300 ml of BOD
bottle was filled with river water (avoid trapping air).
o
Immediately
initial DO was measured (Day 0) using the Hanna DO probe.
o
Sample was
incubated at 20°C in the dark for 5 days.
o
After 5 days,
final DO (Day 5) was measured.
o
Calculate BOD₅:
BOD5=DO initial−DO
final (mg/L)
j. COD
(Chemical Oxygen Demand): Was measured by hanna analyzer
o
Appropriate Hanna
COD vial was taken, 2 ml of water sample was taken in it and capped, inverted
gently to mix.
o
Vial was placed in
COD reactor at 150°C for 2 hours, after digestion, vials cooled down to room
temperature.
o
Vial was inserted
into the Hanna photometer or compatible multiparameter reading was noted down, the
COD value (mg/L) displayed.
k.
Analysis of Heavy Metal Iron: -
o Heavy metal Iron was
analyzed in Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.
o In a clean beaker 50
ml of water sample was taken.
o 5ml of Conc. Nitric
Acid was added in to the water.
o Then after beaker was
kept on a hot plate for digestion of the sample at 80-100°C (Until
the solution has became transparent).
o After that sample was
filtered (if necessary) and kept for cooling down.
o Then filtrate was
transferred to a 100 ml of volumetric flask and diluted with distilled water up
to the mark.
o Finally, sample was processed
for FAAS analysis.
Results
Summer Season: -
In summer season the
color of river is some greenish due to algal blooms. Smells like fishy and
unpleasant odour. The temperature rises in this season ranges from 25.9- 26.5°C
minimum at (S3) and maximum at (S1) due to high temperature the water gets
warm. Turbidity of the water ranges from 15.7- 18.4 NTU minimum in (S5) and
maximum at (S1) due to low flow of water the turbidity of water increases in
this season. The pH of water in summer season ranges from 7.8- 8.5 which is
lowest in (S3) and highest in (S5) not properly treated sewage and waste changes
the pH of river. Conductivity is the indicator of dissolve salts in water which
is seen from range of 794.5- 1345 µS/cm noted least in (S3) and peak in (S5)
stable water condition and underwater flow of wastewater. Hardness of water
effect the taste of water the range is seen in between 408.7- 681.2 mg/L
minimum in (S3) and maximum in (S1). Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) values
suggest the potential impact of organic pollution on the water body range is
seen in between 17.4- 21.8 mg/L lowest in (S1) and highest in (S4). Chemical
Oxygen Demand (COD)value indicates the organic content of water it ranges from
18.5- 21.4 and minimum in (S1) and maximum in (S3). Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in
water helps in respiration of aquatic fauna and flora it ranges between 1.2- 1.8
low in (S4) and high in (S3).
Table 1. Physio- chemical parameter of Kharun
River in summer season
|
S.No.
|
Parameters
|
Sampling Sites
|
Min.
|
Max.
|
Mean
|
SD
|
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
|
1.
|
Temperature (°C)
|
26.5± 1.4
|
26.3±1.8
|
25.9±1.4
|
26.2±2.0
|
26.4±2.5
|
25.9
|
26.5
|
26.26
|
0.2302
|
|
2.
|
Turbidity (NTU)
|
18.4±0.38
|
16.2±0.33
|
17.9±0.29
|
17.3±0.39
|
15.7±0.21
|
15.7
|
18.4
|
17.1
|
1.1335
|
|
3.
|
pH
|
8.1±0.18
|
8.3±0.12
|
7.8±0.10
|
7.9±0.14
|
8.5±0.18
|
7.8
|
8.5
|
8.12
|
0.2863
|
|
4.
|
Conductivity (µS/cm)
|
1284±34.1
|
1035±33.8
|
794.5±28.4
|
997.1±30.3
|
1345±35.2
|
794.5
|
1345
|
1091.1
|
224.51
|
|
5.
|
Hardness (mg/L)
|
681.2±25.7
|
471.4±24.7
|
408.7±23.6
|
440.1±24.9
|
565.2±25.3
|
408.7
|
681.2
|
513.32
|
110.61
|
|
6.
|
BOD (mg/L)
|
17.4±0.18
|
19.2±0.44
|
18.5±0.43
|
21.6±0.54
|
21.8±0.58
|
17.4
|
21.8
|
19.7
|
1.936
|
|
7.
|
COD (mg/L)
|
18.5±0.41
|
19.3±0.45
|
21.4±0.53
|
20.7±0.46
|
19.7±0.42
|
18.5
|
21.4
|
19.92
|
1.145
|
|
8.
|
DO (mg/L)
|
1.6± 0.2
|
1.7±
0.2
|
1.8±
0.1
|
1.2±
0.1
|
1.3±
0.2
|
1.2
|
1.8
|
1.52
|
0.26
|
Table 2. Physio- chemical parameter of Kharun
River in rainy season
|
S.No.
|
Parameters
|
Sampling
Sites
|
Min.
|
Max.
|
Mean
|
SD
|
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
|
1.
|
Temperature
(°C)
|
20.3±1.3
|
20.4±1.5
|
20.3±1.4
|
20.7±1.9
|
20.2±1.6
|
20.2
|
20.7
|
20.38
|
0.1923
|
|
2.
|
Turbidity
|
7.4±0.33
|
6.2±0.5
|
5.3±0.1
|
7.9±0.52
|
8.5±0.58
|
5.3
|
8.5
|
7.06
|
1.2973
|
|
3.
|
pH
|
7.8±0.2
|
7.9±1.1
|
8.4±0.9
|
7.5±1.4
|
7.3±0.7
|
7.3
|
8.4
|
7.78
|
0.4207
|
|
4.
|
Conductivity (µS/cm)
|
558.1±41.0
|
384.6±35.2
|
391.1±45.1
|
401.2±32.8
|
541.1±36.4
|
391.1
|
558.1
|
455.2
|
86.568
|
|
5.
|
Hardness (mg/L)
|
301.4±23.2
|
284.5±21.4
|
258.4±22.8
|
264.1±37.2
|
271.4±31.5
|
258.4
|
301.4
|
275.96
|
17.247
|
|
6.
|
BOD (mg/L)
|
16.4±1.4
|
18.9±2.4
|
16.5±2.3
|
17.5±2.8
|
18.0±1.5
|
16.4
|
18.9
|
17.46
|
1.050
|
|
7.
|
COD (mg/L)
|
17.8±2.6
|
18.3±2.8
|
17.6±3.4
|
19.6±3.2
|
19.3±4.1
|
17.6
|
19.6
|
18.52
|
6.355
|
|
8.
|
DO (mg/L)
|
1.9±
0.2
|
1.4±
0.3
|
1.6±
0.8
|
1.8±
0.8
|
1.5±
0.7
|
1.4
|
1.9
|
1.64
|
0.21
|
Rainy Season: -
In rainy season the
color of river is some light brown muddy and murky due to mud and sediments
come through erosion by heavy rainfall and mixes in water body. Smells like
musty and decaying plants. The temperature in this season ranges from 20.2-
20.7°C minimum at (S5) and maximum at (S4). Turbidity of the water ranges from
5.3- 8.5 NTU minimum in (S3) and maximum at (S5) due to high flow of water the
turbidity of water decreases in this season. The pH of water in rainy season
ranges from 7.3- 8.4 which is lowest in (S5) and highest in (S3) many sediments
from water flow comes in river stream due to which the pH of river slightly
increases. Conductivity is dissolving salts in water which is seen from range
of 391.1- 558.1 µS/cm noted least in (S3) and peak in (S1). Hardness of water
shows mineral range and level is seen in between 258.4- 301.4 mg/L minimum in
(S3) and maximum in (S1). Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) shows organic
pollution indication on the water body range is seen in between 16.4- 18.9 mg/L
lowest in (S1) and highest in (S2). Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ranges from
17.6- 19.6 and minimum in (S3) and maximum in (S4). Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
ranges between 1.4- 1.9 low in (S2) and high in (S1).
Winter Season: -
In winter season the
color of river is some clearer and blueish. Smells like stagnant and milder.
The temperature in this season ranges from 15.8- 16.6°C minimum at (S3) and
maximum at (S5). Turbidity of the water ranges from 11.8- 15.9 NTU minimum in
(S3) and maximum at (S1). The pH of water in winter season ranges from 7.6- 8.3
which is lowest in (S5) and highest in (S2). Conductivity is salts in water
which range from 580.6- 690.1 µS/cm noted least in (S3) and peak in (S2).
Hardness of water is seen in between 298.9- 351.4 mg/L minimum in (S3) and
maximum in (S5). Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) shows organic pollution
indication on the water body range is seen in between 17.1- 20.1 mg/L lowest in
(S1) and highest in (S4). Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ranges from 17.7- 20.3
and minimum in (S1) and maximum in (S3). Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ranges between 1.9-
2.8 low in (S4) and high in (S1).
Table 3. Physio- chemical parameter of Kharun River in winter season.
|
S.No.
|
Parameters
|
Sampling Sites
|
Min.
|
Max.
|
Mean
|
SD
|
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
|
1.
|
Temperature (°C)
|
16.7±1.5
|
16.3±1.9
|
15.8±2.7
|
16.3±2.0
|
16.6±2.3
|
15.8
|
16.6
|
16.34
|
0.3507
|
|
2.
|
Turbidity
|
15.9±1.4
|
14.3±1.2
|
11.8±1.0
|
12.4±1.8
|
14.9±1.4
|
11.8
|
15.9
|
13.86
|
1.7184
|
|
3.
|
pH
|
7.7±0.81
|
8.3±0.52
|
8.1±0.44
|
7.8±0.68
|
7.6±1.32
|
7.6
|
8.3
|
7.9
|
0.2915
|
|
4.
|
Conductivity (µS/cm)
|
571.2±41.3
|
690.1±43.8
|
580.6±39.9
|
650.8±41.5
|
633.2±43.6
|
580.6
|
690.1
|
625.18
|
49.589
|
|
5.
|
Hardness (mg/L)
|
341.3±28.3
|
322.3±21.5
|
298.9±23.4
|
338.0±35.1
|
351.4±29.9
|
298.9
|
351.4
|
330.38
|
20.465
|
|
6.
|
BOD (mg/L)
|
17.1±2.37
|
17.9±3.12
|
19.4±2.61
|
20.1±1.96
|
18.8±2.89
|
17.1
|
20.1
|
18.66
|
4.063
|
|
7.
|
COD (mg/L)
|
17.7±2.55
|
18.1±3.24
|
20.3±3.11
|
19.8±2.85
|
20.0±2.49
|
17.7
|
20.3
|
19.18
|
1.190
|
|
8.
|
DO (mg/L)
|
2.8±
1.2
|
2.2±
1.4
|
2.4±
0.8
|
1.9±
0.9
|
2.5±
1.6
|
1.9
|
2.8
|
2.36
|
0.34
|
Heavy Metal (Iron): -
The Iron (Fe) is an
important metal in water for growth of plants and animals but above the
permissible limit is harmful for animals and plants both in summer iron is high
i.e. Avg. 0.10528, in rainy days its Avg.
concentration is 0.05516, winter season the Avg. of iron is 0.07404 which
indicates that the iron is found in above permissible limit in every season.
Table 4: Concentration of heavy metal Iron
(Fe) in (mg/L)
|
S.NO.
|
HEAVY METAL IRON
(mg/L)
|
SUMMER
|
RAINY
|
WINTER
|
WHO
PERMISSIBLE
LIMIT
(mg/L)
|
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
S1
|
S2
|
S3
|
S4
|
S5
|
|
1.
|
Fe
|
0.1007±0.332
|
0.1020±0.312
|
0.1113±0.325
|
0.1003±0.29.3
|
0.1121±0.32.4
|
0.0698±0.125
|
0.0413±0.210
|
0.0484±0.193
|
0.0531±0.182
|
0.0632±0.215
|
0.0845±0.021
|
0.0831±0.051
|
0.0532±0.038
|
0.0783±0.058
|
0.0711±0.052
|
0.03
|
Graphical
Representation of Physio- Chemical Parameter of Kharun River: -
Discussion
Permissible limit for
water (UNEP/WHO, 1996) (WHO, 2004)
|
S.No.
|
PARAMETERS
|
WHO/UNEP/GEMS LIMIT
|
|
1.
|
Turbidity (NTU)
|
05 NTU
|
|
2.
|
pH
|
6.5- 8.5
|
|
3.
|
Conductivity (µS/cm)
|
750 (µS/cm)
|
|
4.
|
Hardness (mg/L)
|
500 (mg/L)
|
|
5.
|
BOD (mg/L)
|
02 (mg/L)
|
|
6.
|
COD (mg/L)
|
<10 (mg/L)
|
|
7.
|
DO (mg/L)
|
4-6 (mg/L)
|
|
8.
|
Fe (Iron)
|
0.03 (mg/L)
|
The physicochemical parameters of river water were
monitored across three seasons— summer, monsoon,
and winter—and compared to the permissible limits established by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Health
Organization (UNEP/WHO, 1996; WHO, 2004; Carr and Neary, 2008) to evaluate the
quality of the water and its pollution levels.The color and odor of water in summer season shows greenish coloration
and algal blooms, accompanied by a fishy, unpleasant odor, suggesting increased
biological activity and organic decomposition and in the rainy season showed
muddy coloration due to silt and runoff, and the winter season reflected
clearer waters with minimal visual contamination which differ from healthy
water appearance and causes the disturbance in flora and fauna of aquatic life,
following with this temperature changes in every season effect the aquatic life
which is high in summer time and low at winter. The consistently elevated
turbidity, particularly in summer and winter, indicates sediment resuspension
due to low water flow and increased algal biomass and due to high turbidity
sunlight can’t reach in the bottom of river lac of photosynthetic activities. pH
levels remained within the acceptable WHO range (6.5–8.5) across seasons,
though slightly alkaline Fluctuations may be attributed to sewage discharge,
photosynthetic activity, and sediment influx during rainy periods. Conductivity
levels reflect ionic content and were found to exceed the WHO limit (750 µS/cm)
during summer (up to 1345 µS/cm) and remain elevated in winter, especially at
stagnant points. Lower values in the rainy season (391.1–558.1 µS/cm) suggest
dilution effects from stormwater runoff. Hardness of water, although within WHO
limits (500 mg/L) in rainy and winter seasons, exceeded permissible levels in
summer at S1 (681.2 mg/L), affecting taste and scaling potential. The high
values may be linked to increased evaporation, concentrating dissolved
minerals. BOD values far exceeded the WHO permissible limit of 2
mg/L in all seasons This consistently high BOD suggests heavy organic
pollution, likely due to untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and algal
respiration, particularly in summer and winter when flow is reduced. COD levels also surpassed the UNEP/WHO standard of
<10 mg/L, with readings between 17.6–21.4 mg/L across seasons. The high COD
indicates a significant presence of oxidizable organic and inorganic matter,
corroborating high BOD values and reflecting cumulative pollution from domestic
and industrial discharges. These DO levels decreased due to
high BOD levels hint at short-term oxygen demand spikes.
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for aquatic
ecosystems, playing a vital role in the metabolic processes of plants and
animals. It aids in chlorophyll synthesis, enzyme functions, and oxygen
transport in aquatic fauna. However, in present situation concentrations
exceeding the permissible limit, it can have toxicological and ecological
implications.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The assessment
indicates that the quality of water in the river is inadequate for various
uses, including drinking. The total dissolved solids (TDS) levels,
conductivity, hardness, BOD, COD, DO and pH values of the samples were found to
deviate significantly from the standards established by the World Health
Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global
Environment Monitoring System (GEMS). The elevated pollution levels resulting
from industrial discharges and municipal waste contribute to environmental
challenges that adversely affect both flora and fauna, as well as human health.
Direct consumption of Kharun River water without any treatment poses serious
health risks to the population. It is suggested to treat water before
discharging it directly in river and also treated before consuming.
Acknowledge
I express my sincere gratitude to our
supervisor, Dr. Pallavi Sinha, for her invaluable guidance, insightful
feedback, and unwavering support throughout this research. I acknowledge
the contributions of Testing Laboratory (Center for Groundwater
Recharge Testing Laboratory, Geetanjali Nagar, Raipur) for providing
facilities and expertise in sample analysis. Their precision and
reliability in conducting experiments, significantly enhanced the
quality of results.