iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Founded 2007 International Journal of Life Sciences Assessment of River Water Quality at : A case study for the event of Magha Mela

L. N. Gupta, Ram Avtar, Amarjeet Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Emmanuel Mutisya, Geetha Mohan and G. S. Gupta

International Journal of Life Sciences ISSN No. 2091-0525 OPEN ACCESS

DOI- dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i3.9303

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Research Article Assessment of Ganges River Water Quality at Allahabad: A case study for the event of Magha Mela L. N. Gupta 1, Ram Avtar 2, Amarjeet Singh 1, Pankaj Kumar 3, *, Emmanuel Mutisya 4, Geetha Mohan 5 and G. S. Gupta 1

1Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Energy & Environment, Faculty of Science & Environment, Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot- 485780, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, 2United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, Japan-150-8925 3Institute of Science and Technology for Advance Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat 388120, India 4Graduate Program in Sustainability Science, Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI), University of Tokyo, Japan 5Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), University of Tokyo, Japan

Article Information ABSTRACT Submitted: February, 2014 Considering River as one of main Holy River in India, millions of people throng to the river to have Revised: April, 2014 a holy dip, Aachman (Mouthful with holy water) and cleanse themselves of sins. Magh Mela is a great Accepted: May, 201 4 festival to take place in bank of Triveni (Sangam) at Allahabad and runs more than one and half month, Key words: when millions of pilgrims from different regions in India go there for taking a holy bath in Sangam of River Ganges; Ganga. Thus, the bathing in the river during Magh Mela leads to high pollution of the river in comparison India; to other days such as normal bathing days. This study focused on the water quality status from some Magh Mela; selected physico-chemical parameters of River Ganges and the impact of Magh Mela as well as the Water quality variation the river's flow rate. Results indicate that the pollution load was alarmingly high and the flow of the Ganga had been very poor. Further, the study found that the water was not fit for bathing during the 2012 Magh Mela.

INTRODUCTION 79°7' E which is 4100 m above sea level. Alkhananda Ganga originates from the at the Ganga River is one of the most worshipped holy rivers in of six rivers. The Dhauliganga meets in Alaknanda at India. The river which is a life-line and a symbol of Vishnuprayag, the Pinder at Karnaprayag, the Nandkini purity is a virtue for countless people in India. Ganga is at Nandprayag, the Mandakini at Rudraprayag and one of the biggest representatives of holy rivers in the finally the Bhagirathi at . When Bhagirathi country. Millions of Ganga worshippers still throng the and Alkhananda meet in Devprayag, it is known as River river to have a holy dip, Aachman (Mouthful with holy Ganges. Ganga river basin is the largest among river water), and cleanse themselves from sins. In ancient basins in India and the fourth largest in the world, with legend, it is said that the river came down to earth a basin (catchments area) covering 861,404 sq km. It through a lock of Shiva's hair by performing a goes through various states viz. Uttaranchal, Uttar meditation by King Bhagirath, and was therefore given Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand and lastly falls in the Bay the name “Bhagirathi”. River Ganga is formed by its two of Bangal in West Bangal. It has a total length of 2,525 subordinate holy rivers originating from the Himalayan km, out of which 1,425 km is in Uttaranchal and Uttar region from two different sides; the first one is the Pradesh, 475 km is in Bihar and Jharkhand and 625 km Bhagirathi Ganga and second is the Alkananda Ganga. is in . In the course of its total run of 2,525 Bhagirathi Ganga originates from Gaumukh in the km before its confluence with the , Ganga melting snow and ice of glacier at 30°55' N, is joined by a large number of tributaries on both banks.

* Correspondence to: Pankaj Kumar, Institute of Science and Technologyfor Advance Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh, Vidyanagar, Gujarat - 388120, India. Email: [email protected] Cite this article as - Gupta, L. N.; Avtar, R.; Singh, A.; Kumar, P.; Mutisya, E.; Mohan, G. and Gupta, G. S. (2014) Assessment of Ganges River Water Quality at Allahabad: A case study for the event of Magha Mela. International Journal of Life Sciences 8(3): 08 - 14. Doi:dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i3.9303

Copyright reserved © International Journal of Life Sciences Doi:dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i3.9303 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4

The main tributaries are the , , chemistry of river water is also controlled by a series of Ghaghra, Son, Gandak, Kosi and Damoder. There are factors such as climate, vegetation, topography and about 692 towns and cities distributed over the eight geology of the catchment area (Alaez et al., 1988). The Gangetic states of India. Out of these, some 563, spatio-temporal variation in the hydrochemical representing over 68.7% of total basin's urban properties of river water due to the natural and population are concentrated in three densely populated anthropogenic activities in Indian river basins are states of UP, Bihar and West Bengal. Some of the widely studied viz. at Ken-Betwa (Avtar et al., 2011), important cities on the banks of river are , Narmada (Gupta and Chakrapani, 2005), Bagmati , Kannoj, Bhithoor, Kanpur, Allahabad, (Kannel et al., 2007), and (Sundaray et al., , Patna and Calcutta (CPCB, 1983). 2006; Panigrahy and Raymahashay, 2005).Thus the objective of this work is to study water quality status of Historical background of study River Ganges and the impact of Magh Mela as well as its area variation in flow rate at Allahabad. Emperor Akabar founded the city of Allahabad in 1575 MATERIALS & METHODS A. D. by the name of ''Illahabas'' which has now become the modern Allahabad. The city of Allahabad is among Sampling of water the largest cities of and situated at the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Five mass bathing sampling locations were selected viz. invisible Saraswati. The meeting point of these rivers is Shastri bridge, Before Jhusi Peepapul, Jhusi Peepapul, known as ''Triveni" (Sangam) and is especially sacred to After Jhusi Peepapul, Middle Streem of Ganga in . According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahmas Peepapul were selected for water monitoring. Sampling the creators God of the Trinity himself had chosen this locations of Ganga at Allahabad are shown in Figure 1. site for Triveni (Sangam) to perform ''Prakrista Yagya'' Details of sampling location are as follow - 1. S h a s t r i at the beginning of the creation and he also referred to bridge: It is the first upstream monitoring location of it as ''Tirth Raj''. This is why a big fair takes place every middle sampling point where Ganga flows to down year in Magh Mela at this Sangam spot. Magh Mela stream. It is situated 1600 meters away from Sangam at festival begins in Poosh Purnima in early January and upstream of River Ganga. It is a holy spot on the river runs for about one and half months till the end of Maha where maximum number of people bath during Magh Shivratri in mid-February. Within the 45 days period, Mela. 2. Before Jhusi Peepapul : It is the second the main ritual for taking holy bath is at Poosh Purnima, upstream monitoring location of middle sampling point Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmami, where Ganga flows into downstream. It is situated 1400 Maghi Poornima and Maha Shivratri. This Mela is held meters away from Sangam at upstream of River Ganga. for the whole Magh month as per traditional Hindu It is a holy spot on the river where maximum number of calendar followed in Ganga. It is widely believed that people also bathe during Magh Mela. 3. Jhusi Peepapul taking a holy dip in Ganga at Sangam during the above Ghat: It is a monitoring location beside the middle mentioned auspicious days of the month washes away sampling location where Ganga flows into downstream. all sins and leads to Moksha (merging with the supreme It is situated 1200 meters away from Sangam at up soul). A temporary religious settlement consisting of stream of River Ganga. 4. After Jhusi Peepapul Ghat: It many ashrams, tents, huts, etc. is created during Magh is the first downstream monitoring location of middle mela. During the entire month of Magh, a major sampling point where Ganga flows to Sangam. It is highlight is the Kalpawasi pilgrims who live in areas situated 1 km away from Sangam at upstream of River mentioned above. During these days, people not only Ganga. 5. Middle Stream of Ganga in Jhusi Peepapul take dips in the water Ganges but also drink water Ghat: It is the middle stream monitoring location. It is a irrespective of its water quality suitability. Several similar location in front of Jhusi Peepapul Ghat millions of pilgrims run at Allahabad from different sampling location having a distance of 1200 m away places in India throughout the Magh Mela taking a holy from Sangam at upstream of River Ganga. But water bath in Sangam of Ganga. Thus, the bathing in the river sample was collected from midstream of Ganga. during Magh Mela leads to high pollution of the river in comparison to other days such as normal bathing days (Kannan, 1995). River water quality for a region is mainly determined by the cumulative effect of the processes like precipitation rate, weathering processes, soil erosion, urban settlement around the banks, agricultural activities, disposal of human-waste, and domestic wastes increasing the exploitation and deterioration of water Figure 1. Sampling locations along the Ganges resources (Carpenter et al., 1998). The hydrogeo- River at Allahabad 9 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4

Monitoring bank. Only 22.6% of water was available on 7th February compare to 230 m3/s on 16th January. Temporal Physico-chemical parameters of the collected samples variation for various physio-chemical parameters like were measured to monitor the impacts of mass bathing DO, pH, EC, and turbidity is shown in figure 2, 3, 4 and on the River Ganga during Magh Mela, 2012. Water 5 respectively. Detail description for water chemistry at samples were collected three times a day; morning each sampling location is discussed below. (7.00 AM), noon (12:00 PM) and afternoon (5:00 PM) at Table 1. Date-wise flow rate of River Ganges at predicated regular time intervals of 5 hours of each Allahabad measured by Float method location for a period of about three weeks. At least five Flow rate (m3/sec) Date readings of the height of the water in the river have 7.00 AM 12.00 AM 5.00 PM Average been noted to observe the flow fluctuations. Water 15.01.12 232.6 232.6 232.6 232.6 samples were collected in pre-cleaned polypropylene 16.01.12 232.6 232.6 232.6 232.6 bottles with necessary precautions (APHA-AWWA, 17.01.12 232.6 232.6 232.6 232.6 2005). Chemicals of AR grade and glass wares of boro- 18.01.12 240.9 232.9 235.6 236.5 19.01.12 225.9 223.3 225.9 225.0 silicate grade were used in the study and obtained from 20.01.12 225.9 223.3 223.3 224.2 Qualigen, Hi-Media, E-Merckand Rivera, respectively. 21.01.12 222.6 220.1 220.1 220.9 The parameters estimated were temperature, turbidity, 22.01.12 215.5 212.9 207.8 212.1 pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Dissolved Oxygen 23.01.12 187.8 183.2 172.1 181.0 (DO). Temperature and turbidity were observed by 24.01.12 155.6 153.6 153.5 154.2 using mercury graduated thermometer and turbidity 25.01.12 143.9 143.9 141.9 143.2 26.01.12 134.7 134.7 132.9 134.1 tube method respectively. DO, pH, and conductivity 27.01.12 132.9 127.7 126.0 128.9 were determined at the sampling sites with the help of 28.01.12 120.7 119.0 110.9 116.9 digital probes (Henna, Model-2010). The missing EC 29.01.12 106.3 104.8 101.8 104.3 reading values were determined by interpolation 30.01.12 97.6 97.6 96.2 97.1 method for drawing the line diagram to show temporal 31.01.12 94.1 94.1 91.7 93.3 variation. Flow of the River Ganges at Allahabad was 01.02.12 88.2 86.1 85.0 86.4 02.02.12 82.9 79.1 78.1 80.0 monitored by float method followed by the marking in 03.02.12 76.4 73.9 73.9 74.7 the bridge pillars and the height of the water was 04.02.12 69.8 69.9 69.9 69.9 calibrated with velocity and flow for easy measurement 05.02.12 66.1 65.4 64.7 65.4 of flow. All selected parameters were observed by 06.02.12 62.8 61.7 61.1 61.9 recommended standard methods for examination of 07.02.12 52.3 Not observed Not observed 52.3 water and wastewater (APHA-AWWA, 2005). The following formula was used for measurement of Flow Shashtri Bridge rate of River Ganges -

3 Dissolved oxygen: The value of DO at Shashtri bridge Flow rate (m /second) = Cross-section [Average width × during different time of the day i.e. monitoring (8 - 10 Average depth × Velocity (m/sec)] AM), noon (1-2 PM) and afternoon (4-5 PM) ranges from 6 - 8.9, 8.1-10.36 and 8.16-10.31 mg/l respectively RESULTS & DISCUSSION with at least 2 mg/l fluctuation in each day (Figure 2a). Variation in the DO level clearly shows the poor unifor- Measured variation on flow of mity in the river system. That might be due to fluctua- Ganga tion in the flow of Ganga, insertion of external polluta- nts (sewage) or due to mass bathing or a combination Flow of River Ganges at Allahabad during Magha Mela, of the above mentioned factors. 2012 was observed for 23 days from 15th January to 7th February, 2012. During this period, a high pH: the value of pH at Shashtri bridge ranges from 8.11 fluctuation was noticed which ranged from 52.30 to - 8.93, 8.46 -9.48 and 8.15-9.14 during morning, noon 3 th and afternoon monitoring respectively (Figure 3a). No 240.52 m /s. The highest value was observed at 18 th uniformity was noticed during the standard time either January and lowest at 7 February. The trend of flow th for a single day or daily which means disconformities from 18 January onwards was declining regularly. As were present in the river system at Allahabad. Increase the amount of the water flowing through the channel in the pH values at noon and after noon samples clearly was fluctuating so water quality parameter like DO, pH, indicates the algal activity which indicates the disposal EC, and turbidity were also fluctuating. The Magha Mela of sewage in the river. is a big festival of mass bathing in River Ganges and due to fluctuations, the highest water level in the channel Electrical Conductivity and Turbidity: The value of was also fluctuating and this was 110 cm lower than the EC ranges from 280-390, 285-352, 280-359 mho/cm first day. In the last monitored day, it was found that (Figure 4a) and turbidity ranges from 80-150, 80-140, people were facing the problem in taking dips and they 85-145 at Shashtri bridge during morning, noon and had to move in the middle of the channel than the river afternoon respectively (Figure 5a)). When increase in 10 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4 the turbidity was observed, the EC values were also high in the same time which clearly indicates that turbidity of Ganga water is not only due to fine sand but some other external materials like sewage are being inserted into the river leading to high turbidity.

Figure 3. Temporal variation of pH along with different sampling locations along the Ganges River at Allahabad In Figure, a: Shastri bridge; b: Before Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; c: Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; d: After Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; e: Middle Stream of Ganga in Jhusi Peepapul Ghat

Before Jhusi Peepapul Ghat Figure 2. Temporal variation of DO along with different Dissolved oxygen: The value of DO at before Jhusi sampling locations along the Ganges River at Allahabad. Peepapul Ghat during Magh Mela ranges 6.12 - 8.54 mg In Figure, a: Shastri bridge; b: Before Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; c: Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; d: After Jhusi Peepapul /l in the morning, 8.14-11.64 mg/l in the noon and 9- Ghat; e: Middle Stream of Ganga in Jhusi Peepapul Ghat 10.6 mg/l in the afternoon (figure 2b). Increase in DO 11 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4 level during high solar light and lower values of DO during morning and afternoon shows the impact of algal activity in the water which might be an indicator of sewage pollution. High variation at the sampling location shows different value during different time of the day this is due to the flow variation. Drop in the value of DO was observed as the flow of the river decreases. pH: The value of pH at before Jhusi Peepapul Ghat varies from 8.1- 9.46 with 8.32- 8.91 in the morning, 8.33 - 9.41 at noon and 8.1- 9.41 in the afternoon (Figure 3b). Low variation in the values of pH has been noticed during morning while high values were observed in the afternoon followed by noon values. Increase in the pH and high variation throughout the day shows the algal and microbial activity which might be due to bathing activity and use of soaps by the pilgrimages, on the basis of higher values of pH up to 9.41. The Ganga water does not meet the 'c' category of CPCB which means water is not fit for even bathing activities.

Electrical Conductivity and Turbidity: The value of EC ranges from 275-399 in morning, 280-351 during noon and 270-379 mho/cm during afternoon (Figure 4b). 70-126 mho/cm variation in EC shows external contamination. Turbidity of the location was 80-250 in the morning, 78-210 in the noon and 88-225 NTU in the afternoon (figure 5b). The higher turbidity has been reported during morning which might be due to bathing activities and lower during noon and higher value of turbidity during afternoon observation which indicates other impacts that might be the addition of sewage or flow variation of River Ganges. Higher values of turbidity indicates that water is not fit for drinking purposes and as per Hindu mythology, since cultural Hindu used to have a dip in Ganga and a hand full of Ganga River water into the stomach and this can cause serious illness Jhusi Peepapul Ghat

Dissolved oxygen: The value of DO ranges from 6.24 to 8.97, 8.16 to 11.04 and 9.01 to 11.11mg/l during morning, noon and afternoon respectively (Figure 2c). These values are lower than the same day and time values of other locations like middle stream and before Ghat. The lower dissolved oxygen may be due to bathing activity at the sampling location, probably increase in BOD, and dissolving of salts. As per the Figure 4. Temporal variation of EC along with different solubility of gases in water, the value of dissolved gases sampling locations along the Ganges River at Allahabad In Figure, a: Shastri bridge; b: Before Jhusi Peepapul is inversely related to the dissolved salts which lower Ghat; c: Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; d: After Jhusi Peepapul the saturation limit of oxygen in the water. Ghat; e: Middle Stream of Ganga in Jhusi Peepapul Ghat pH: The value of pH ranges from 8.23 to 8.95, 8.86 to Electrical Conductivity and Turbidity: The value of 9.56 and 8.65 to 9.51 during morning, noon and after- EC ranges from 279- 407, 282-386, and 256 - 399 mho noon respectively (Figure 3c). There is an increase in /cm during morning, noon and afternoon respectively the pH values as the temperature of water and ambient (Figure 4c). The high variation during morning time rises which shows the algal activity. indicates the impact of bathing. Turbidity ranges from 12 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4

80-260, 84 - 260 and 120 - 250 NTU during morning, noon and afternoon respectively (Figure 5c). Lower values of turbidity in the morning, shows lower activity of bathing, while higher values shows the mass bathing in a certain time which continues till noon and after this point settling of the fine sand particles takes place in the afternoon and onwards.

After Jhusi Peepapul Ghat

Dissolved oxygen: The value of DO varies from 6 - 8.75, 8 - 10.46 and 9 - 10.33mg/l at the morning, noon and afternoon respectively (Figure 2d). High variation was observed during noon and afternoon studies while DO was almost in the range of 6-7mg/l during morning time. Higher variation during noon and afternoon shows the impact of algal and other photosynthetic microorganism. pH: The value of pH ranges from 8.14 - 8.96, 8.93 - 9.55 and 8.15 - 9.65 during morning, noon and afternoon respectively (figure 3d). Afternoon time shows the hig- hest value of pH. Electrical Conductivity and Turbidity: The value of EC ranges from 279 - 389, 281 - 387, and 228 - 381 mho/cm during morning, noon and afternoon respecti- vely (Figure 4d). EC value was almost the same during each time which shows the saturation limits of the dis- solved salts and other gases in the water. Turbidity ran- ges from 57-240 NTU (figure 5d). The minimum value observed during morning time with less bathing impa- ct for a certain day. Middle Stream

Dissolved oxygen: The value of DO ranges from 6 - 9.3 mg/l in the morning, 8 -11.95 mg/l during the noon and 8 - 10.31 mg/l in the afternoon respectively (Figure 2e). The value of the DO are higher at this sampling location as compared to other locations that clearly indicates th- at the variation in the water quality is due to other sou- rces of pollution rather than bathing activities as impact of bathing activity would change the water quality. pH: The value of pH at Allahabad middle stream ranges from 8.14 - 8.93, 8.23 - 9.95 and 8.35 - 9.65 during mo- rning, noon and afternoon respectively (Figure 3e). pH value observed were close to 9 or more and this indica- tes the algal activity during day time which implies the presence of sewage material in the River Ganges. Figure 5. Temporal variation of turbidity along with different Electrical Conductivity and Turbidity: The value of sampling locations along the Ganges River at Allahabad EC ranges from 281 to 392, 283 to 412 and 230 to 395 In Figure, a: Shastri bridge; b: Before Jhusi Peepapul mmho/cm during morning, noon and afternoon respe- Ghat; c: Jhusi Peepapul Ghat; d: After Jhusi Peepapul ctively (Figure 4e). The greater variation in the mid- Ghat; e: Middle Stream of Ganga in Jhusi Peepapul Ghat stream water clearly indicates that water coming to Magh Mela area is of variable nature with a certain level idity of the Ganges River water at the bank is influenced of pollution. Turbidity of the middle stream water ran- by the bathing activities. Higher value of EC during ges from 50 to 180 NTU which is usually lower than the noon sampls may be because of the impact of increase other sampling locations (Figure 5e). It means the turb- in temperature of Ganges River water. 13 I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f L i f e S c i e n c e s 8 ( 3 ) : 2 0 1 4 ; 0 8 - 1 4 CONCLUSION Although this is a preliminary study with focus on limit- ed water quality parameters, it has shown some signific- ant results. The river water quality is deteriorated at many locations because of significantly increased demo- graphic and other pressures. The critical parameters of water quality, which adversely affect human health, have been found to exceed the prescribed standard limits at most of the locations. All the analyzed parameters were found to be dependent on the flow of the Ganges. Varia- tion in the studied parameters was due to Barrage and Dams. The results are evidence that if the natural flow of the Ganga is not being disturbed, the quality of Ganga will be similar at every point from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar. In Allahabad, results of all the parameters indicat- ed that the pollution load was high as flow of the Ganga had been very poor. Therefore, water was not fit for even bathing during Magha Mela, 2012. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Authors want to sincerely thank Prof. G.D. Agrawal, for- © International Journal of Life Sciences merly Professor, IIT, Kanpur, for his valuable suggestions NOTE: Authors/contributors are responsible during the study period. for originality, contents, correct references, and REFERENCES ethical issues. APHA, AWWA. 2005. Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewate- rs, 21th edn., American Public Health Association, Washington. Alaez, M. C. F.; Alaez M. F. & Calabuig, E. L. 1988. Variation in time and space of so- me physical and chemical variables in the Bernesga River, Leon, Spain. Ann Limnol. 24, 3, 285-291. Avtar, R.; Kumar, P.; Singh, C. K. & Mukherjee S. 2011. 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