Analysis of Water Quality and Biomonitoring of Tuirial River in Vicinity of the Hydel Project in Mizoram

ANALYSIS OF WATER QUALITY AND BIOMONITORING OF TUIRIAL RIVER IN VICINITY OF THE HYDEL PROJECT IN MIZORAM THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE By S LALPARMAWII MZU/Ph.D/164/29.11.2007 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES & NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MIZORAM UNIVERSITY, AIZAWL MIZORAM – 796004 2012 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Miss S Lalparmawii has submitted the Ph.D Thesis entitled “Analysis of Water Quality and Biomonitoring of Tuirial River in Vicinity of the Hydel Project in Mizoram” under my supervision , for the requirement of the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl. The authenticity and content of the thesis is the original work of the Research Scholar, and the nature and presentation of the work are the first of its kind in Mizoram. It is further certified that no portion(s) or part(s) of the content of the thesis is borrowed from any other resources nor reproduced from any other publications. (PROF. H. LALRAMNGHINGLOVA) (DR. B. P. MISHRA) Head Supervisor Department of Environmental Science Department of Environmental Science Mizoram University Mizoram University DECLARATION I, Ms. S. Lalparmawii , hereby declare that the subject matter of this thesis entitled “Analysis of Water Quality and Biomonitoring of Tuirial River in Vicinity of the Hydel Project in Mizoram” is the record of work done by me. The contents of the thesis does not form basis of the award of any previous degree to me or to the best of my knowledge to anybody else, and that the thesis has not been submitted by me for any research degree in any other University/Institute. This is being submitted to the Mizoram University for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Environmental Science. (S. LALPARMAWII) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty God, who has been with me throughout this academic journey, and helped me make it through to this day. Lord, I express my heartfelt thanks. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Dr. B. P. Mishra (Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University) for his guidance, expertise, support and above all his patience and understanding. He is my true mentor. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Prof. H. Lalramnghinglova (Head, Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University) for his constant support and encouragement and also for providing access and facilities to the laboratory during my study. During the course of this research, I have been fortunate enough to receive assistance and support from all corners, some of which have been unexpected but very much appreciated. I would like to take this moment to thank and offer my sincere gratitude to all who have contributed and helped me complete this long journey. I am indebted and very grateful to the scientists and technical staffs of the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi for their assistance and technical guidance during the course of study. I extend my gratitude to NEEPCO, Tuirial Hydel Project, Mizoram for facilitating me to conduct this study at selected study sites and also for providing lodging in their guest house. I would like to thank Mr. Lalruatfela Ralte, Mr. Lalrinchhana and Mr. David Malsawmtluanga for accompanying and helping me during my visits to the sampling sites. Your company not only helped me but also cheered and also extending security during the journeys. I would also like to thank all the faculty members and staffs of the Department of Environmental Science at Mizoram University for their encouragements and cooperation during the course of study. I am grateful and appreciate all the help which I received from my friends Mr. Vanramliana, Dr. Saithantluangi Zote, Dr. Lalchhingpuii, Mr. H. T. Hnamtinkhuma, Mr. David C. Vanlalfakawma, Mr. Vanlalfela Sailo, Mr. Samuel Lalronunga and Ms. Lalremruati Ralte. I would be forever indebted for all your encouragements, constructive criticisms and moral support. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents, to whom this thesis is dedicated. You have been an inspiration and pillars of my strength; I thank the Lord above everyday for blessing me with parents like you. My brothers, David and Joel, you’re the best brothers anyone would ask for and so much more. You are what kept me going to reach my goals. My sister and my best friend Gloria, thank you for your constant love, prayers and support throughout my study. Last but not the least, I would like to thank the University Grants Commission for providing me financial support in form of the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship. Dated: Place: (S. LALPARMAWII) CONTENTS Page No. List of figures i-ii List of tables iii List of photo plates iv List of acronyms and abbreviations v-vi Chapter 1: Introduction 1-11 Chapter 2: Objectives 12 Chapter 3: Review of Literature 13-18 Chapter 4: Study Area and Study Sites 19-29 Chapter 5: Methodology 30-38 Chapter 6: Results 39-61 Chapter 7: Discussion 62-81 Chapter 8: Summary and Conclusions 82-87 References 88-112 Appendices Appendix I: Correlation coefficient between different parameters for two years data (including macroinvertebrate families encountered) Appendix II: Correlation coefficient of different parameters between various sites for two years data Appendix III: Correlation coefficient between different parameters at Site 1 for two years data Appendix IV: Correlation coefficient between different parameters at Site 2 for two years data Appendix V: Correlation coefficient between different parameters at Site 3 for two years data Appendix VI: Correlation coefficient between different parameters at Site 4 for two years data Appendix VII: Biological assessment methods List of figures Figure Page No. 1.1 Schematic diagram of the hydrological cycle 4 1.2 Pathways of water moving downhill 5 4.1 Map showing Districts of Mizoram 20 4.2 Location map of study site 25 6.1 Seasonal variation in Temperature of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 39 6.2 Seasonal variation in TDS of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 41 6.3 Seasonal variation in EC of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 42 6.4 Seasonal variation in pH of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 43 6.5 Seasonal variation in DO content of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 44 6.6 Seasonal variation in BOD of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 45 i 6.7 Seasonal variation in Total Hardness of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 46 6.8 Seasonal variation in Acidity of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 47 6.9 Seasonal variation in Total Alkalinity of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 48 6.10 Seasonal variation in Chloride content of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 49 6.11 Seasonal variation in Fluoride content of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 50 6.12 Seasonal variation in Nitrate-N content of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 51 6.13 Seasonal variation in Phosphate-P content of water at selected study sites (January 2008 – December 2009) 52 6.14 Taxa richness of communities during January 2008 – December 2009 60 6.15 Community Loss Index during January 2008 – December 2009 61 6.16 Jaccard Coefficient of Community Similarity during January 2008 – December 2009 61 ii List of tables Table Page No. 1.1 Freshwater quality deterioration at the global level 1 7 1.2 Sources and significance of pollutants resulting from human activities 8 1.3 Major watersheds in Mizoram 10 5.1 Biological Water Quality Criteria 35 6.1 Biological Water Criteria of Tuirial river during January 2008 – December 2009 53 6.2 Number of Macroinvertebrates Encountered at Site 1 54 6.3 Number of Macroinvertebrates Encountered at Site 2 55 6.4 Number of Macroinvertebrates Encountered at Site 3 56 6.5 Number of Macroinvertebrates Encountered at Site 4 57 7.1 Water quality standards given by various scientific agencies and range of values recorded during present investigation 81 iii List of photo plates Plates Page No. Photo plate 4.1: Site 1: Reference station which is situated at the upstream of dam 26 Photo plate 4.2: Site 2: Diversion inlet on river 27 Photo plate 4.3: Site 3: Power house outlet (downstream of dam) 28 Photo plate 4.4: Site 4: Diversion outlet situated downstream of river 29 Photo plate 6.1: Macroinvertebrates encountered at different study sites 58 Photo plate 6.2: Macroinvertebrates encountered at different study sites 59 iv List of acronyms and abbreviations % : percentage ˚C : degree Celsius µS : microsiemens Anon. : Anonymous APHA : American Public Health Association B.C : before Christ BIS : Bureau of Indian Standards BMWP : Biological Monitoring Working Party BOD : Biological Oxygen Demand BWQC : Biological Water Quality Criteria cm : centimetre CPCB : Central Pollution Control Board DO : Dissolved Oxygen E : East e.g. : for example EC : Electrical Conductance EDTA : ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic et al. : and others h : hour i.e., : that is ICMR : Indian Council for Medical Research v km : kilometre km 2 : square kilometres m day -1 : metres per day mg : milligram mgL -1 : milligrams per litre mh -1 : metres per hour MI : macroinvertebrates mm : millimetre N : North nm : nanometres OD : Optical Density RBP : Rapid Bioassessment Protocol S1 : Site 1 S2 : Site 2 S3 : Site 3 S4 : Site 4 SPANDS : Sodium 2-(parasulphophenylazo)-1, 8- dihydroxide-3, 6 napthalene dilsulphonate TDS : Total Dissolved Solids USEPA : United States Environment Protection Agency USPH : United States Public Health WHO : World Health Organisation vi INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 1.1 General Water covers about three fourth area of the earth’s surface with volume of about one billion cubic kilometers.

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