Bulletin of Hydrogeological Association, Vol. 5, September 2020 Acharya S, Rijal ML, 2020

Distribution of industrial effluents in groundwater and surface water in the surroundings of Sugar Industry, Sunwal, Nawalparasi, Nepal

Shanti Acharya1 and Moti Lal Rijal1* Central Department of Geology, Kirtipur, , Nepal *Corresponding e-mail: [email protected]

Received: 20 May 2020/Accepted: 28 August 2020

ABSTRACT Industrial effluents are one of the major sources of water contaminants for both surface and groundwater from different types of industries. Among them, the sugar industry is a type of industry in which the present study is focused. The sugar mill is one of the agro-based industries in the world. Sugar industry is seasonal in nature and it operates only about 3 months in a year when a huge amount of effluents is released to the nearby water flow systems. The study is emphasized on the current status of water quality and effluent impacts around Lumbini Sugar Industry (LSI), Sunwal. The study mainly focuses on the measurement of in-situ physicochemical parameters that includes pH, TDS, EC and DO, and as well as data gathered from the laboratory analysis of the chloride (Cl-), sodium (Na+), sulphate (SO42−), phosphate (PO4 3−) and potassium (K+), BOD, COD, TSS, oil and grease content of samples collected both from shallow tube-well and also from the stream in the surroundings of LSI. In this way, the present status of industrial effluents in surface and groundwater were investigated. The industrial effluents were higher around its disposal points in both types of surface and groundwater samples and their concentrations decreases as we move further away from the effluents discharge location. The vertical variations of lithology along different sampling points and direct leaching of effluents and their higher flow velocity in sandy layer, whereas the retardation caused by sorption of effluents in thick clay layers caused differential movements of effluents for their distributions in the study area. Moreover, after the discontinuity of effluents after halting of sugar production in the LSI since last a few years, the effluents concentrations are still higher in its discharge points. But, there is significantly low concentrations as seen in the samples collected from further away from this point.

Keywords: Sugar industry; Industrial effluent; Groundwater quality; Stream water quality

INTRODUCTION The sugar Industry contains the excessive degree of organic pollution which effects local environment. The sugar factory is also one of the main sources of The irrigation with 100% effluent concentration the water contamination releasing contamination decreased moisture content 20.44%, increased pH loads. The Terai region of Nepal, is suitable region (9.56%), EC 64.28%), Na + (185.48%), K+(53.40%), for sugarcane farming due to the favourable climatic SO4--2 (72.08%). The sugar industry consumes huge and soil conditions. Sugar industry is seasonal in quantity of water and throws back almost an equal nature and it operates only about 3 months in a year. A quantity of effluent as waste water of cane crushed significant large amount of waste is generated during (Kumar et al. 2017). Specially, the effluents of the manufacturing of sugar. It contains a high amount of industry are drained off to open water bodies near production load particularly in terms of suspended from the industrial area which brings the pollution in solids and organic matters (Kolhe et al. 2001). The fresh water reservoirs have been proven by Ijeoma and main objectivity of the study area is to know the current Achi (2011). The increasing use of chemical fertilizers status of river and groundwater quality around the LSI. and pesticides degrades soil and water quality. As a

105 Bulletin of Nepal Hydrogeological Association, Vol. 5, September 2020 Acharya S, Rijal ML, 2020 result, the high value of chloride, sulphate, nitrates as hydrophobic such as oil and grease. Hydrophilic in and sodium occurs as chemical pollution (Goel et al. which polar charge molecules are attracted to water or 2007). The study further acclaims that nowadays the water loving is known as hydrophilic. Such as cations discharge effluent is one of the main problems to be Na+, Cl-, K+, PO 3−4, SO 2−4 are hydrophilic ions. faced in future with increased disagreeable effects by All these factors influence in the water contamination. Saranraj and Stella (2014). This study is focused on the effect of industrial effluents from LSI on river and groundwater water pH and EC show inverse relationship as the quality around LSI. distance between sources of effluent and sampling site increased distance from the effluent storage site. STUDY AREA The effluent percolates through pits which increases The study area, in the surroundings of Lumbini Sugar EC of water. The fluctuation of nitrogen, potassium, industry is situated in Sunwal Municipality located in phosphorus, iron, lead impacts by Sugar factory . The study area has the gentle effluents percolated from storage site. There is a need slope towards the south and is situated in the forefront of periodical assessment of soil quality in the vicinity of Churia hill, which is directly visible towards the of sugar factory is concluded by Dhangar and Lohar north of the LSI. From the lithological perspective, it (2012). Advection, Dispersion and Retardation all is composed of the gravel and sand alternated with red, are the natural process of the flow. The non-polar black and yellow clays. Its altitude varies from 100- molecules which are not attracted to the water is known 200 m. Alluvial fans are deposited in this Zone. The location of the study area is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: Location map of study area.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS site description points. Water level indicator was used to measure the static water level of the dug In this study, a total of 46 samples (37 samples from well. Similarly, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), surface water and 9 samples from groundwater) were total dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured pH, EC, taken from various locations shown in Fig. 2 for in- DO were measured in-situ with the help of the three situ physicochemical parameters measurements. Out separate probes of Mettlor Teledo. of these 46 samples, 21 samples taken for laboratory measurements selecting 15 samples of groundwater Samples for laboratory analysis were collected samples and six samples from stream. Using both in-situ using sampling bottles of 500ml size. Those sample parameters and parameters obtained from laboratory bottles were filled with water without making bubbles analysis of chemical parameters as mentioned in Table inside and packed for the laboratory analysis from the 1. All thesis data were used for the comparative study different locations. A total of 21 samples were taken after of river, stream and dug well water near LSI is done. two times rinsing of sample bottles. After that, samples Different quantitative and qualitative research technics were kept in cooler-box to maintain temperature and were used for the completion of this research. ArcGIS, for its preservation until further laboratory analysis MS Excel, and Adobe Photoshop were used for data was carried out. The collected data from the field was acquisition, processing and analysis. tested in the laboratory by the appropriate methods as shown in Table 1. Global positioning System (GPS) (Garmin GPS) was used in the field to locate sampling and

Table 1: Methods used for the chemical analysis of the different parameters S.N. Parameters(mg/l) Method 1. Chloride 4500-Cl- B, APHA, AWWA, WEF, 22nd Edition 2. Total Hardness 2340 C, APHA, AWWA, WEF, 22nd Edition. 3. Sulphate 4500-SO4-2- C, APHA, AWWA, WEF, 22nd Edition 4. Phosphate 4500-P E, APHA, AWWA, WEF,22nd Edition 5. Sodium 3111 B, APHA - AWWA - WEF 2012, 22nd Edition 6. Potassium 3111 B, APHA - AWWA - WEF 2012, 22nd Edition

nd 7. BOD5 5210 B, APHA, AWWA, WEF,22 Edition 8. COD 5220 B, APHA, AWWA, WEF,22nd Edition 9. TSS 2540 D, APHA, AWWA, WEF, 22nd Edition 5520-B, APHA, AWWA, WEF, 22nd Edition 10. Oil & Grease

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION in field as insitu parameters and some were tested in the laboratory. Measurements of pH, TDS and EC The sampling points are taken from Machhamara in the were carried out in the field while TSS, BOD, COD, north to Swathi in the south of the study area. Sampling oil and grease, chloride, sulphate, sodium, potassium points form the study area is shown in google map and phosphate were analyzed in the laboratory. The (Fig. 2) where sampling points of dug well water is sampling points from different location of stream is indicated by ‘W’ and stream water is indicated by shown in Fig. 2. ‘R’. In the study area, some parameters are checking

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Fig. 2: Sampling locations for surface and groundwater at different measurements.

WATER LEVEL OF THE STUDY AREA Depending on direct measurements of water levels direction. Another depression of the water level is in obtained from dug well, water level of the area was the south-west direction of LSI. The water is flowing to determined. The water level results showed the water the north from Sunwal area as shown in Fig. 3. is flowing to the east of LSI, accumulated from all the

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Fig. 3: Water level contour map of dug well with reference to below ground level (m) from the study area.

The water flow direction is mainly responsible slightly different in deep well water compared from for distribution of contaminants. The result shows in dug-well water. In the study area, around the effluent the vicinity of effluent disposed point, concentration of disposed point, the contamination is found in the the chemical parameters is greater than other sampling dug well water but not in the deep well water. The points. Overall, the water has relatively higher values from field and laboratory were compared with concentrations near to the effluent disposed point. That Table 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 which is given below. Increase in means the drinking water as well as the irrigation water the chemical concentration and physicochemical of adjoining area around the sugar mill is affected by parameter decreases which is as shown in Appendices the effluent from the sugar industry. According to the where the sampling points from different location of drinking water quality standard, the water quality is dug well is denoted by the W.

Table 2: Concentration limits of various water quality parameters according to Nepal drinking water quality standards and WORLD Health organization WHO 2011) Parameter Unit Concentration Limits pH 6.5-8.5* Chloride Mg/l 250 Sulphate Mg/l 250 Total Dissolved Solids Mg/l 1000 Electrical Conductivity µS/cm 1500

Sources: Environment Statistics of Nepal 2008

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CONCENTRATIONS OF CHEMICAL range about 10 mg/l. The concentration of potassium PARAMETERS OF STREAM WATER is high in the sampling point R3 is 12.47 mg/l. The lowest value is 2.31 mg/l in location R1 which belongs Total 6 samples were collected from different sampling to Turiya Khola. Concentration of phosphate is points along Somnath Khola for the chemical analysis highest in the sampling points R3 and R4. The lowest of different parameter. Chloride is high in the location concentration of phosphate is 0.02 in sampling points R5 with the concentration of 19.59 mg/l. In the R7. The compared values are shown in appendix B. effluents point, the value of the chloride is 17.63 mg/l. The concentration value of the sulphate is high in the According to the drinking water quality standard, location R3 with the value 277.88 mg/l. Rest of the the water quality is slightly different the deep well sampling points have range below 100 mg/l. R1, R2, water from dug well water. In the study area, around R4, R6, R7 are more or less similar in the range but the effluent disposed point, the contamination is found the value of R5 is 94.14 which is greater than all those in the dug well water but not in the deep well water. sampling points. The concentration of sodium is high The values from field and laboratory are compared in the sampling points R3, R4 and R5 with the average with Table 3, 4, 5, 6 which is given below. range about 16 mg/l. R1, R2, R6, R7 have the average

Table 3: The standard maximum values for generic standard of industrial effluents, which is determined by the Environment protection rules in 2054, section 15/16 from ministry of population and environment Parameters Maximum –minimum limits pH 6-9.0 TDS (mg/l), Max 2100 BOD (mg/l), Max 30-100 COD (mg/l), Max 250 TSS (mg/l), Max 100 Oil and grease (mg/l), Max 10 Sodium (mg/l), Max 60 Particularly for sugar industry Parameters Maximum –minimum limits PH 5.5-8.5 TSS (mg/l), Max 100 BOD (mg/l), Max 100 COD (mg/l), Max 250

Sources: Ministry of population and Environment, Government of Nepal

Table 4: Classification of water based on (TDS) dissolved solids values (Todd 2007) Water Class TDS values(ppm) Fresh water <1000 Slightly saline 1000-3000 Moderately saline 3000-10000 Very saline 10000-35000 Briny >35000

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Table 5: The relationship between EC and water mineralization (Detay 1997) EC (mm/cm) Mineralization <100 Very weakly mineralized water 100-200 weakly mineralized water 200-400 Slightly mineralized water 40-600 Moderately mineralized water 600-80 Highly mineralized water >1000 Excessively mineralized water

SUB-SURFACE SETTINGS OF THE permeability and it is directly related to groundwater STUDY AREA contamination. The water passing ability is low in the study area because the hydraulic conductivity is The sub-surface lithological conditions is significant low in the fine-grained sediments so contamination for lateral and vertical distributions of effluents released cannot pass directly through the sediments. The ability from LSI in the sub-surface and shallow groundwater to pass the water through gravel is 40-200 m/day but of the area, which is highlighted in this section. The through fine sand is 5-15 m/day. In the study area the clay has high porosity but pore spaces are so small and clay played as a barrier for remediation of groundwater poorly connected that the water can’t move through it. contamination. A study shows that advection, diffusion, The lithology shows the dominance of the clay or fine- and retardation are the main processes that govern the grained sediment around the study area which has low migration of organic contaminants through compacted clay.

Fig. 4: Location map showing lithologs from the study area.

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Fig. 5: Lithological sections D1, D2, D3 showing the lithological variation of study area, (Data Sources: D1- Sagun construction, D2 and D3- Groundwater resources development project, Rupandehi.).

Fig. 6: Photograph of River Cutting bank of the Somnath Khola indicating thick clay layer at the uppermost layer.

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The hydrogeology of the study area consists of aquifer material for the area. The result shows in the the unconfined aquifer system showing the depression vicinity of effluent disposed point, the concentration of zone in the areas as shown in Fig. 2. Bhabar Zone the chemical parameters is greater than other sampling is the recharge area for the middle Terai with many points. In some points, the tolerance limit is crossed. In dug being constructed in this area for drinking water overall, the water is slightly contaminated near to the purpose. Sunwal Bazaar has no aquifer material up effluent disposed point. to 20m below the ground level. The thickness of the aquifer material is at 12 m below the ground level as Result shows the opposite relationship between shown in Figure 5 (D2). It is composed of gravel and distance and effects. The drinking water as well as the sand at the depth of 18-30 m below the ground level. irrigation water of adjoining area around the sugar mill Figure 5 (D3) is in Swathi area which consists of a is affected because there may mix the effluent from the 1m thick layer of sand material, which represents the sugar industry.

Table 7: In-situ physicochemical parameters of surface water towards downstream of effluent discharge point Parameters pH EC TDS DO No. of samples 36 36 36 36 Minimum 6.03 545 263 9.8 Maximum 7.5 1635 1058 84.5 Range 1.5 1090 795 74.7 Mean 6.74 1107.4 562 30.25 Median 6.94 1036.5 503.5 27 Std. deviation 0.48 328 195.7 16.5

Table 8: In-situ physicochemical parameters of water from dug well Parameters pH EC TDS DO No. of samples 9 9 9 9 Minimum 6.17 603 114 10.8 Maximum 7.75 1560 910 100 Range 1.58 957 796 89.2 Mean 7.12 1201.4 609.4 63.3 Median 7.2 1403 684 55.3

As observed from the spatial and vertical were observed in the water samples collected from variation of both in-situ and laboratory analysis of dug wells. The differential movements of chemical physicochemical parameters as shown in Table 7 after their release from the LSI caused by variations and 8, the leaching of chemical after their release at of lithology together with concentrations of chemicals discharging point is related with surface water flow in in the form of point source and diffused source play relation with sub-surface leaching of chemicals that significant role. The vertical variations of lithology

113 Bulletin of Nepal Hydrogeological Association, Vol. 5, September 2020 Acharya S, Rijal ML, 2020 along different sampling points and direct leaching of effluents remain as the patches around sugar industry. effluents and their higher flow velocity in sandy layer, The small volume of effluents, and short period of time whereas the retardation caused by sorption of effluents of stagnant waste water in pits, low permeability of in thick clay layers caused differential movements water, being fine sand, silt and clay as barrier are the of effluents for their distributions in the study area. factors to maintain the water quality within the range Similarly, seasonal variation of surface water flows and of tolerance limit of the standard value of the industrial ponding also plays role as this generate variations for effluent. leaching of contaminants into the sub-surface. Therefore, the amount of effluents released into CONCLUSIONS the surface from the LSI, together with topographical variations for generating unequal flow and distribution Most of the locations, near to the Sugar Industry and of surface water bodies as well the vertical variations around the Effluent receiving stream has comparatively plays role for differential distributions of chemicals high value or concentration than the location which are in the surroundings, especially downstream of the tested few km far. The physicochemical test shows the LSI. After halting of regular sugar production in this high value in the main stream where the waste water industry, the concentration of chemicals are still higher is disposed from sugar industry. It is found that the than the normal standards nearby its effluents discharge contamination of water is acceptable as per guidelines points. The differential movements of contaminants by of WHO, Population and Environment Ministry, surface water together with unequal capacity of their Kathmandu and Drinking Water Quality Standard leaching into the sub-surface caused by spatial and of Nepal. The reason behind contamination of water vertical variations of lithological parameters generated quality acceptable is that the study area is composed the current status of effluents in the study area. of clay and silt which have less permeability and low hydraulic conductivity. From the hydrogeological and water table perspective, depression aquifer of Acknowledgments the study area creates no flow condition. Otherwise, The authors would like to acknowledge the contamination may spread more widely around the financial support of President Chure-Terai Madhesh sugar industry. The percolation of effluents discharged Conservation Development Board for this study, from sugar industry alters the physical and chemical which was awarded to the first author under the student characteristics of water nearby and degrades the water thesis grant. The support of Shraddha Dhakal for field quality. investigations and sampling is highly appreciated.

At the present condition, the LSI is slightly REFERENCES affecting the water quality in surrounding area. The current status of physicochemical parameters of water Detay M, Carpenter MNS (1997) Water wells: quality is slightly acidic in nature, fresh in case of the implementation, maintenance and restoration. TDS value, and favourable for the dissolved oxygen Wiley London to aquatic animals, weakly mineralized to highly Dhangar SD, Lohar PS (2013) Effect of sugar mineralize in case of EC. The concentration limit is factory effluent on physico-chemical properties acceptable of COD, BOD, chloride, sodium, phosphate and cellulase activity of soil-A case study. Int and potassium. In few sampling points, the oil or grease Multidiscip Res J 3:18–22 and concentration of sulphate exceed the limit around Dou J, Tien Bui D, P. Yunus A, et al (2015) Optimization the effluent disposed point. The average quality is in of Causative Factors for Landslide Susceptibility the standard limit but each sampling points shows the Evaluation Using Remote Sensing and GIS Data different values or concentration of water quality in the in Parts of Niigata, Japan. PLoS One 10:e0133262. different location. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133262 Goel A, others (2007) A case study on characterization, The finding of this study suggests that the sugar treatment and utilization of deoband sugar mill industry drains off the effluent during the flood in the effluent. I Control Pollut 23:413–418 stream so the effluent flows through the water and only

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Kanu I, Achi OK, others (2011) Industrial effluents and Neupane PR, Maraseni TN, Köhl M (2017) The their impact on water quality of receiving rivers sugarcane industry in Nepal: Opportunities and in Nigeria. J Appl Technol Environ Sanit 1:75–86 challenges. Environ Dev 24:86–98 Kolhe AS, Ingale SR, Sarode AG (2008) Physico- Saranraj P, Stella D, others (2014) Impact of sugar mill chemical analysis of sugar mill effluents. Int Res effluent to environment and bioremediation: a Jr sodh, samiksha mulyankan 4:307–311 review. World Appl Sci J 30:299–316

APPENDICES Appendix A: In-situ physicochemical and chemical parameters of water samples collected from stream (R) and dug well (W)

Sampling points pH EC TDS DO

W1 7 1574 787 18.7 W2 6.82 1462 956 15.3 W3 7 1392 696 44 W4 6.77 1635 820 19.4 W5 6.12 1423 712 21 W6 7.04 864 433 9.8 W7 6.39 1004 488 41.3 W8 6.03 1394 680 42.9 W9 7.33 960 435 47 W10 6.99 1414 710 24 W11 6.03 1394 680 24.7 W12 6.99 915 421 37 W13 7.4 860 429 29 W14 7.25 1068 505 84.5 W15 7.5 545 263 39.2 W16 6.09 909 455 40.1 W17 7.11 719 347 40.5 W18 6.19 845 422 16 W20 6.9 1427 713 37 W21 6.99 1160 580 25.1 W22 6.31 1003 502 29.2

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W23 7.5 545 263 39.2 W24 6.15 1146 573 34 W25 6.48 1005 502 23.4 W26 6.08 1480 706 14.3 W27 6.99 1412 706 20.2 W28 6.98 1414 704 15.4 W29 7.06 1412 706 23.2 W30 6.14 1484 742 14.8 W31 6.27 864 433 9.8 W32 7.06 704 319 29.1 W33 7 633 307 38.1 W34 7.43 548 266 41 W35 6.69 970 485 75 W36 6.39 864 433 9.8 W37 6.11 1420 1058 16 R1 7.75 1065 504 90 R2 7.4 963 545 85 R3 6.63 1560 701 47.6 R4 6.17 1540 684 48 R5 7.2 1450 620 55.3 R6 7.22 1403 701 10.8 R7 7.11 817 114 100 R8 7.06 1412 706 48 R9 7.53 603 910 85

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Appendix B: Chemical concentration of different parameters of dug well and stream water

Sampling points Chloride Sulphate Sodium Potassium Phosphate W21 46.28 8.78 27.38 1.77 <0.10 W22 40.7 7.59 25.4 1.38 <0.10 W23 20.15 8.56 38.8 2.77 <0.10 W31 35.4 6.8 18.3 1.05 <0.10 W32 46.3 5.2 25.8 0.81 <0.10 W20 92.07 168.1 33.0 2.43 <0.10 W28 1.96 7.46 44.5 1.1 <0.10 W30 3.92 6.32 29 1.74 <0.10 W33 9.8 7.12 14.0 0.69 <0.10 W34 186.1 117 117. 9.44 <0.10 W12 45.06 8.56 20.1 0.71 <0.10 W24 25.47 146.0 24.3 1.79 <0.10 W25 250 250 18.3 3.88 <0.10 W26 33.31 69.46 12.8 2.38 <0.10 W27 47.02 6.89 43.6 1.06 <0.10 R1 3.92 69.49 8.77 2.51 0.03 R2 7.4 17.92 9.51 9.64 0.03 R3 17.63 277.8 15.7 12.74 0.05 R4 17.63 6.12 18.3 3.88 0.05 R5 19.59 94.14 15.7 4.1 0.04 R7 7.89 42.62 12.3 4.31 0.04

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