Physico-ChemicalProc Indian Natn Sci Parameters Acad 75 No.4 in pp.Groundwater 167-172 (2009) of Bhojpur District in Middle Gangetic Plain 167
Physico-Chemical Parameters in Groundwater of Bhojpur District in Middle Gangetic Plain
MD SHAHNAWAZ1, KM SINGH1 and H SHEKHAR2 1Post-Graduate Department of Chemistry, HD Jain College, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara-802301, Bihar (India) 2University Department of Chemistry, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara-802301, Bihar (India)
(Received on 10 September 2009; Accepted 31 December 2009)
Present investigation describes the groundwater quality of the three blocks, namely Ara, Barahra and Shahpur of Bhojpur district in middle Gangetic plain. Sixty six groundwater samples were collected from different locations of these blocks
and analysed for the various physico-chemical parameters like pH, EC, turbidity,TDS,TH, Ca, Mg, Cl, F, Fe, SO4, NO3 and As. Water samples were collected from hand pumps and public water supply. Among the parameters described, elevated levels of EC, turbidity, TDS, TH, Ca and Fe were detected according to WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Arsenic concentration in 36.36 to 59.09% groundwater samples were found higher than the WHO permissible limit. Key Words: Groundwater; Contamination; Quality; Arsenic; Bhojpur District
Introduction kankar, sand and alluvial soil. The study area spreads in Ground water is an essential and vital component of our an area of 2474 sq. km. lying between latitude 25°-26°N life support system and has been a decentralized source and longitude 84°15’-85°. Position of upper, middle and of drinking water for millions of rural and urban families. lower Gangetic plains and location map of Bhojpur It mainly occupies the pores and crevices in sand, district is shown in Fig. 1. sandstones, limestone and other rocks [1]. It accounts Many a time ground water carries higher mineral for nearly 80% of rural domestic need and 50% of urban contents than surface water, because there is slow water needs in India [2].The over exploitation of ground circulation and longer period of contact with sediment water due to geogenic and anthropogenic activities such materials in case of groundwater. Changes of as unplanned disposal of industrial effluents, sewage and groundwater quality with the passage of time have sewerage has resulted in the lowering of water table and hydrologic significances. The quality also varies due to deterioration in ground water quality. Water quality plays a change in chemical composition of the underlying an important role in the overall water balance of the sediments and aquifer [10,11]. The Ganga plain foreland environment. Acharya et al. has reported that the basin is a repository of sediments derived from the groundwater of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has low Himalayas and from Peninsular craton. The weathered concentrations of iron (0-700 μg/L) and, on this basis, material brought from the Himalaya is deposited in the commented that the relatively low value of dissolved alluvial plain where they undergo further chemical iron upstream of the Ganges Delta indicates that the weathering, mobilizing several anions and cations. environment may not be sufficiently reducing to mobilize To understand the suitability of ground water, iron and arsenic [3,4,5]. Chakraborty et al. revealed that severity of contamination and consequent health effects, there is moderate to high concentration of arsenic in samples of three blocks of Bhojpur district in middle Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in middle Gangetic plain [4]. Gangetic plain were analysed. The area under study, Bhojpur district belongs to Materials and Method Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra alluvial plains and is situated in the middle part of the Gangetic plain, along For physico-chemical study of groundwater, the samples the right bank of the rivers Ganga and Sone. Gangi river of the blocks Ara, Barahra and Shahpur were collected and Shahabad canal, the branches of Ganga and Sone and analyzed, according to the standard method [12]. A rivers respectively are passing through the district. The total of 66 water samples were collected in pre-monsoon plain is composed of sediments carried by the tributaries season. We collected depth information from the users of the Ganga river. In Ganga river sediments As, Cr, Cu, and it ranged from 6 to 45.5 m with an average of 20.5 Pb, U, Th, W, etc. are concentrated significantly [6,7,8,9] m. The range of age of bore wells varied from less than The lithology of the plain consists of clay, clay with 1 year to 32 years, with an average of 6.5 years. All the
* Author for Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected] 168 MD Shahnawaz, KM Singh and H Shekhar
Sahar
Bhojpur
Fig 1. Position of upper, middle and lower Gangetic plains and location map of Bhojpur district samples were collected in polypropylene bottles. Before of titration. The concentrations of heavy elements and collecting the samples, bottles were thorough cleaned arsenic in the water samples were determined by atomic by 8MHNO3, followed by repeated washing with absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer Analyst 200, deionized water. Adding 1:1 HNO3 for analysis of arsenic USA). and other heavy elements preserved in each 1 litre of Results and Discussion the collected water sample. The different physical and chemical parameters were pH, electrical conductivity The results of pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, Cl,
(EC), turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), total F, Fe, As, SO4 and NO3 are presented in Table I and the hardness (TH), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chloride percentage of samples beyond permissible limits in terms of percentage are shown in Table II. (Cl), fluoride (F), iron (Fe), sulphate (SO4), nitrate (NO3) and arsenic (As). The reagents used in the study were pH: The pH of 97% of the total water samples analyzed all analytical grade reagents and deionized water was were within the permissible limit of 6.5–8.5 given by used throughout for the reagent preparation. The pH of WHO standard and most of the samples were slightly the water samples was determined in the field at the time alkaline in nature. In this study pH of water samples of sample collection by using portable pH meter (Merck, from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur blocks varied from 6.8 India). Fluoride contents were determined by SPADNS to 8.9, 7.05 to 7.54 and 6.80 to 8.81 respectively. The method using spectrophotometer (Analytik-Jena, minimum value recorded was 6.7 in Ara block and Specord–40, Germany). Sulphate was determined by maximum, 8.9 was also in Ara block. spectrophotometer method (Analytik–Jena, Specord-40, Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solid: The Germany). Total hardness (TH) of the samples was EC is related with TDS and is found in the range of 0.33 determined by titrimetric method. The analysis of to 1.90 mmhos cm-1. Indian standards for drinking water magnesium and calcium were determined by the method Physico-Chemical Parameters in Groundwater of Bhojpur District in Middle Gangetic Plain 169 propose no standards for EC, however, WHO guideline beverage industries. From Table 1 it is seen that Turbidity is 0.40mmhos cm-1. The standard for T.D.S are 1000mg/ of water samples from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur varies L. From Table 1 it is seen that T.D.S of water samples from <1.0 to 6.3, 1.1 to 6.0 and <1.0 to 6.2 from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur varies from 212 to 1069, respectively.The minimum value recorded is <1.0 for 385 to 1179 and 229 to 1330mg/L respectively. The both Ara and Shahpur blocks and the maximum value minimum value recorded is 212 from Ara Block and the recorded is 6.3 for Ara Block. Turbidity of 16.66% maximum value recorded is 1330mg/L from Barahra samples found to be above the permissible limit, 5 N.T.U block. The variation of T.D.S with different sampling by WHO. points is shown in Fig. 2. Total Hardness: The index of hardness is measured in Turbidity: It is usually caused by clay, organic matter, terms of the capacity of water to precipitate the soap. In phytoplankton and other microscopic organisms and this study, total hardness of 19.69% samples found to be makes the water unfit for domestic purposes, food and above the permissible limit 500mg/L for drinking water
Table 1: Ranges of analytical data of the groundwater samples of three blocks in Bhojpur district
S.No. Parameters WHO (2004) Ara Barahra Shahpur Guidelines Min. Max Min. Max. Min. Max. 1 pH 6.5-8.5 6.8 8.9 7.05 7.54 6.80 8.81 2 E.C. 0.40 mmhos/cm 0.35 1.48 0.63 1.63 0.33 1.90 3 Turb. 5 NTU <1.0 6.3 1.1 6.0 <1.0 6.2 4 T.D.S. 1000 mg/L 212 1069 385 1179 229 1330 5 T.H. 500 mg/L 280 621 275 601 276 790 6 Ca 100 mg/L 48.1 115.3 64 114.5 73 116 7 Mg 50 mg/L 12.5 35.5 18.0 29.0 20 55 8 Cl. 250 mg/L 4.2 29.5 4.2 35.7 4.5 36 9 F 1.5 mg/L 0.11 1.05 0.10 0.72 0.4 1.05 10 Fe 0.3 mg/L 0.18 1.21 0.15 1.2 0.15 1.18 11 As 0.01 mg/L 0.001 0.21 0.005 0.5 0.002 0.45
12 SO4 250 mg/L 8.4 30.5 7.9 70.5 8.2 75.5 13 NO3 50 mg/L 1.6 8.4 1.8 8.9 2.7 8.9
Table II: Percentage of samples beyond permissible limits
S.No. Parameters WHO (2004) Guidelines Total no. of samples No. of samples beyond permissible limit %age 1 pH 6.5-8.5 66 2 3.03 2 E.C. 0.40 mmhos/cm 66 59 89.39 3 Turb. 5 NTU 66 11 16.66 4 T.D.S. 1000 mg/L 66 12 18.18 5 T.H. 500 mg/L 66 13 19.69 6 Ca 100 mg/L 66 21 31.81 7 Mg 50 mg/L 66 01 01.51 8 Cl. 250 mg/L 66 0 0 9 F 1.5 mg/L 66 0 0 10 Fe 0.3 mg/L 66 17 25.75 11 As 0.01 mg/L 66 32 48.48
12 SO4 250 mg/L 66 0 0 13 NO3 50 mg/L 66 0 0
T.D.S 1400 1200
1000 800 600
T.D.S. in mg/L 400
200 0 1 4 7 10131619 22 2528 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 64 Sampling points
Fig 2: Variation of T.DS. content with different sampling points. 170 MD Shahnawaz, KM Singh and H Shekhar by WHO. From Table 1 it is seen that total hardness of Chloride: Chloride concentration of water samples from water samples from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur block Ara, Barahra and Shahpur block varied from 4.2 to 29.5, varies from 280 to 621, 275 to 601 and 276 to 790mg/L 4.2 to 35.7 and 4.5 to 36mg/L respectively. The minimum respectively. The minimum and maximum values value recorded is 4.2 for Ara and Barahra blocks and recorded were 275 and 790mg/L from Barahra and maximum value recorded is 36mg/L for Shahpur block. Shahpur blocks respectively. All samples are found to be below permissible limit Calcium: Calcium concentration of water samples from 250mg/L. The variations of chloride content with Ara, Barahra and Shahpur block varied from 48.1 to different sampling points are in Fig. 4. 115.3, 64 to 114.5 and 73 to 116mg/L, respectively. The Fluoride: The floride concentration ranges observed in recommended value of calcium in potable water is this study were 0.11 to 1.05, 0.10 to 0.72 and 0.4 to 100mg/L. The maximum value recorded is 116mg/L in 1.05mg/L for Ara, Barahra and Shahpur blocks, Shahpur block. respectively. Maximum value recorded is 1.05mg/L for Magnesium: High concentration of magnesium in both Ara and Shahpur blocks. drinking water gives unpleasant taste to the water. The Iron: Iron concentration of water samples from Ara, recommended value of magnesium in potable water is Barahra and Shahpur blocks varied from 0.18 to 1.21, 50mg/L. In this study magnesium concentration of water 0.15 to 1.2 and 0.15 to 1.18mg/L respectively. The samples from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur block varied maximum concentration observed was 1.21mg/L in Ara from 12.5 to 35.5, 18.0 to 29.0 and 20 to 55mg/L, block. The variation of iron content with different respectively. The minimum and maximum recorded sampling points is presented in Fig. 5. values of magnesium were 12.5 and 55mg/L, in Ara and Sulphate: The permissible limit of sulphate in drinking Shahpur blocks respectively. The variation of calcium water is 250mg/L. In this study sulphate concentration and magnesium content with different sampling points of water samples from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur blocks are given in Fig. 3. varied from 8.4 to 30.5, 7.9 to 70.5 and 8.2 to 75.5mg/L
Ca Mg 250
200
150
100
Ca & Mg in mg/L 50
0 1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 64
Sampling points
Fig 3: Variation of Ca & Mg content with different sampling points
Cl 40 35 30 25 20 15 Cl in mg/L 10 5 0 1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 64 Sampling points
Fig 4: Variation of Cl content with different sampling points Physico-Chemical Parameters in Groundwater of Bhojpur District in Middle Gangetic Plain 171
Fe 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6
Fe in mg/L 0.4 0.2 0 1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 64 Sampling points
Fig 5: Variation of Fe content with different sampling points respectively. Minimum recorded value of sulphate is shown in Table II have arsenic concentration above the 7.9mg/L in Barahra block and maximum, 75.5mg/L in permissible limit, 0.01 mg/L by WHO. The maximum Shahpur block. From Table II, it shows that sulphate value recorded was 0.5mg/L in Barahra block. The content of the three blocks of Bhojpur district are all statistical data of As in three blocks ranging from <.01 within the permissible limit of drinking water. to >.3 are given in Fig. 7, however the variation of arsenic Nitrate: From Table I, it is seen that nitrate of water content in different sampling points from different blocks Sample from Ara, Barahra and Shahpur blocks varies of Bhojpur district is shown in Fig. 6. from 1.6 to 8.4, 1.8 to 8.9 and 2.7 to 8.9 respectively. Conclusion The minimum value recorded is 1.6 for Ara block and Physico-chemical studies of drinking groundwater maximum value recorded is 8.9mg/L for both Barahra samples collected from these blocks show that pH of and Shahpur blocks. All samples are found to be below 97% of the total water samples analyzed were within permissible limit 50mg/L. the desirable limit of 6.5-8.5 given by WHO standard Arsenic: Result in Table III reveals that according to and most of the samples were slightly alkaline in nature. WHO rating, out of three blocks of Bhojpur district of Similarly Mg, Cl, F, SO4 and NO3 concentrations in the Bihar, Barahra block shows maximum groundwater water samples are all within the permissible limit of contamination (59.09%) by arsenic followed by Shahpur drinking water. EC (89.39%), Turbidity (16.66%), TDS block (50%) and Ara block (36.36%). This study (18.18%), TH (19.69%), Ca (31.81%) and Fe (25.75%) highlights that an average of 48.48% water samples of water samples are above permissible limit, given by
Table III: Arsenic concentration ranges in three blocks of Bhojpur district
Blocks No. of samples <.01mg/L %age .01-.05 mg/L %age >.05 mg/L %age >.3 mg/L %age WHO rating Ara 22 14 54.54 5 31.81 3 13.63 0 0 36.36% Barahra 22 09 40.90 5 22.72 5 22.72 3 13.63 59.09% Shahpur 22 11 50 4 18.18 4 18.18 3 13.63 50%
Ara Barahra Shahpur 0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
As in mg/L 0.2
0.1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Sampling points
Fig 6: Variation of As content with different sampling points from different blocks 172 MD Shahnawaz, KM Singh and H Shekhar
Ara Barahra Shahpur 60 50 40 30 20 %age values %age 10 0 10.< 50.-10. 50.> 3.> As ranges in mg/L
Fig 7: Arsenic concentration ranges in three blocks of Bhojpur district
WHO. The analysis shows that groundwater of the region 3. Acharya SK, Chakraborty P, Lahiri S, Raymahashay BC, is contaminated by arsenic. Out of three blocks of Guha S and Bhowmik A Arsenic poisoning in the Ganges Delta Nature (1999) 401. Bhojpur district of Bihar, Barahra block shows maximum 4. Chakraborti D, Mukherjee SC, Pati S, Sengupta MK, (59.09%) groundwater contamination by arsenic Rahman MM and Chowdhury UK et al. Arsenic groundwater followed by Shahpur block (50%) and Ara block contamination in Middle Ganga Plain, Bihar, India: a future (36.36%). And an average of 48.48% water samples have danger Environ Health Perspect (2003) 111(9) 1194. arsenic concentration above the permissible limit, 0.01 5. Saha D Arsenic groundwater contamination in parts of middle mg/L given by WHO. However the groundwater of the Ganga plain Current Science (2009) 97(6) 753. three blocks has been contaminated by arsenic, but no 6. Singh AK Arsenic contamination in groundwater of north th symptoms of arsenic poisoning [except Semaria eastern India 11 National symposium on Hydrology with focal theme on water quality Roorkee Proceedings (2004) Ojhapatti village of Shahpur block] has been reported. 255. According to D Chakraborti et al. in Semaria Ojhapatti 7. Chakraborti D, Sengupta MK, Rahman MM, Ahamed S, village, of the 550 subjects examined (390 adults and Chowdhury UK, Hossain MA et al. Groundwater arsenic 160 children), 60 (10.9%) had arsenical skin lesions contamination and its health effects in the Ganga-Meghna- (adults, 13%; children, 6.3%)] [4]. But in near future, Brahmaputra plain J Environ Monit (2004) 6 74. the problem of arsenicosis may arise and, therefore, 8. Sengupta MK, Mukherjee A, Hossian MA, Ahamed S, Rahman MM, Lodh D et al. Groundwater arsenic speciation of arsenic should be taken into consideration. contamination in the Ganga-Padma-Meghna-Brahmaputra It is suggested that without prior analysis and removal plain of India and Bangladesh Arch Environ Health (2003) of arsenic, ground water of those areas cannot be used 58 701. for drinking purposes. The people of this area is still 9. Chakraborti D, Basu GK, Biswas BK, Chowdhury UK, consuming this water, which is detrimental to the health. Rahman MM and Paul K Characterization of arsenic bearing So a scientific measure to combat this problem is the sediments in Gangetic Delta of West Bengal-India. In: Arsenic Exposure and Health Effects (Eds: Chappell WR, Abernathy demand of the present time. CO and Calderon RL). New York Elsevier Science (2001) Acknowledgements 27. 10. Mc Arthur JM, Ravenscroft P, Shafiullah S and Thirlwall The authors are thankful to the Principal, HD Jain MF Arsenic in groundwater: Testing pollution mechanisms College, Ara for providing research facilities and grateful for sedimentary aquifers in Bangladesh. Water Resour Res to all villagers for their participation and assistance. (2001) 37 109. Comments of three reviewers helped in improving the 11. McArthur JM, Banerjee DM, Hudson-Edwards KA, Mishra R, Purohit R, Ravenscroft P, Cronin A, Howarth RJ, presentation of this paper. Chatterjee A, Talukdar T, Lowry D, Houghton S and Chadha References D Natural organic matter in sedimentary basins and relation to arsenic in anoxic groundwater: a model from Bengal Basin 1 Report Central Ground Water Board and Public Health and its worldwide implication. Applied Geochemistry (2004) Engineering Department, Govt of Bihar, Patna (2005) 35. 19 1255-1293. 2 Rai JP and Sharma HC Bacterial contamination of 12. APHA Standard Methods for the examination of water and groundwater in rural areas of Northwest, U.P. Indian J Env waste water (21st ed) American Public Health Association, Health (1995) 37. Washington (2005).