Physico-Chemical Features of Water in Tawa River of Madhya Pradesh, India

International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy, 2013, 6(3): 193-201 International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy ISSN: 2165-8951 Journal homepage: www.ModernScientificPress.com/Journals/IJEE.aspx Florida, USA Communication Physico-chemical Features of Water in Tawa River of Madhya Pradesh, India

Sumira Rasool1, Ashok K. Pandit2, Vipin Vyas1, Bhat Mohd Skinder2,*

1Department of Environmental Science and Limnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, (M.P) India 2Centre of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190014 (J & K) India

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +919469037200.

Article history: Received 4 June 2013, Received in revised form 9 July 2013, Accepted 12 July 2013, Published 15 July 2013.

Abstract: Water quality assessment was carried out on the Tawa River for the period of January 2006 to May 2006. The study revealed that the river (stream) exhibit slight temporal and spatial variation in physico-chemical characters of water. The Tawa River is a hard water river with high calcium content (calcium rich) due laxturine depositions along the river. Water is slightly alkaline with moderate fluctuation in pH. However, the river receives industrial effluents and coal ash from a thermal power plant at the Tawa tail end which increases the total dissolved solids and turbidity. Tawa River is impounded at two sites which has a negative effect on the water temperature, pH and nutrient concentration. Despite all the temporal and spatial variation in physico-chemical characters of water, the deterioration was generally of very low magnitude it might be because of high water regimes throughout the year and also the studied river has high self-purifying capacity.

Keywords: Tawa River; total dissolved solids; effluent; catchment area; physico-chemical characters; self-purifying capacity; deterioration.

1. Introduction

Stream from small creeks to giant rivers are very complex and dynamic ecosystem, which take part in physical and chemical cycling and support biotic community. A healthy river supports a healthy

Copyright © 2013 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2013, 6(3): 193-201 194 habitat and has a rich biodiversity. Water in rivers forms the level or medium at which the biotic and a biotic interaction takes place. As water is the binding element between the different factors that plays vital role in flourishing the healthy river ecosystem. Around the world rivers are subjected to unprecedented levels of natural and human disturbances. These disturbances deteriorate the water quality and the natural balance in the river. Solving these management problems requires knowledge and understanding of natural processes and dynamic phenomenon occurring within the system. The present paper provided the insight view about water quality spectrum along the longitudinal profile of Tawa stream.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Study Area

Tawa River is one of the major tributaries of Narmada River (lifeline to central India). Narmada River flows through the Deccan plateau and transports water and sediments to the adjacent Arabian Sea. It is a fifth order stream, being longest tributary of the Narmada and having a total length of 172 km and catchment area of about 5983 km2. It originates from a cave in Haryogarh village which is situated at an altitude of about 744 (msl) and rises in the Satpura Range of Betul and Chindwara districts, flowing north to west joins to the Narmada at Bandrabhand in Hoshangabad district. The river has a very complex and intricate watershed. It receives a number of perennial streams throughout its course. Of the 19 major tributaries, Danwa is the largest one. Tawa harbours have very rich biodiversity within the river and in the riparian zone. It irrigates major agriculture land of Betul, Chhindwara, Bhopal and Hoshangabad Districts. Two reservoirs have been constructed on Tawa River. These reservoirs were constructed in 1958 to 1978. These reservoirs have 20,055 hectare water spread area. Tawa reservoir one of the major reservoirs of India is dammed on Tawa-Danwa confluence. It extends up 19.90 miles in length and maximum breadth is 13.70 miles. The depth of the reservoir is 11 meters. Tawa reservoir harbors have rich fish diversity (Figure 1).

2.2. Sample Collection and Analysis

The 64.2 km stretch of River Tawa between Sedalghondi up to the Machina Nadi confluence was investigated. Six study centers were selected at different confluence points for the period of five months on a monthly basis. Water samples were collected by dipping one liter polyethylene canes just below the surface water in the center of the river. The physico-chemical analysis of water was carried out by following the standard methods (APHA, 1998; Golterman and Clymo, 1969). Temperature, weather, water velocity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and free CO2 were determined in the field

(a)

(b) Figure 1 (a, b). Location and extent of Tawa River and study sites

3. Results and Discussion

Water quality is one of the key factors governing the life in lotic ecosystem. Most of the factors that govern the variation of physico-chemical characteristics of water are industries, mining and agricultural wastes (Basu, et al., 2013; Kumar and Kumar, 2013; Priyamvada, et al., 2013; Soubeiga, et al., 2013). A perusal of the physico-chemical characteristics of water (Table 1) indicates significant variation throughout the study. The recorded air temperature ranged from 26oC to 45oC and water temperature ranged from 21.7oC to 31oC. Water temperature in Tawa River showed temporal variation. The temperature increase down the stream as it approaches the Narmada. It is because the air temperature has great influence on the water temperature. The mean value of water temperature predicts that Tawa is a warm water river (Jhingran, 1997). Turbidity fluctuated between 4.1ntu and 14.9ntu, which are due to less run off during the March to May. The same trend was observed in Narmada (10 to 40ntu) and it was suggested that upstream water is very clear (Unni and Sankaran, 1996), which means the surrounding soil erosion was little less as also seen in Tawa River. Clay, silt, organic matter, plankton and other microscopic organisms cause turbidity in natural water (Janeshwar, 2013). Total dissolved solids (TDS) were found in the range of 101 to 192ppm. It was reported that the annual average level of TDS to be 283.33 and 800mg/L in Haladi and Chakra rivers respectively (Gupta, 2002). Conductivity fluctuated in the range of 307 to 616µS. Conductivity, being the principal function of ions, witnessed the monthly fluctuations, as also observed in the Narmada River (Nath and Srivavastava, 2001). The pH observed at all the site was in the range of 6.8 to 8.2. No definite trend in monthly fluctuation of pH was found. The fluctuation in pH was moderate, presumably due to strong buffering capacity. High fluctuation was found where the river was shallow having dense aquatic vegetation and low buffering capacity. Total alkalinity ranged from 52-136mg/L. Moderately high alkalinity was predominantly due to carbonate and bicarbonates of calcium. Total alkalinity can be directly associated with temperature and pH. Free CO2 was found in the range of 2 - 36mg/L. When CO2 dissolves in water, a small fraction is hydrated to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) which dissolves the calcium carbonate, forming the calcium bicarbonate neutralizing the water and thus increases the Ca2+ concentration in the river. This event is one of the causes for Tawa being a calcium rich river (Ohle, 1934). Dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 6.8 to 9.6mg/L. DO in rivers depends upon the partial pressure and temperature of water, as temperature increases DO declines, thus DO showed decreasing trend from January to May. The oxygen level decreases downstream, as the upper reaches tend to be more turbulent, cooler and have greater surface area to volume ratio for diffusion from the atmosphere in the river. The chloride content ranged from 12.87-38.61mg/L and the presence of high chloride content indicates the interference of inorganic pollution. The above finding is in agreement with others (Paramsivam and

Srinivasan, 1981). Chlorides also enter through leaching out of chloride from chlorine containing rocks. Total hardness ranged from 93.0 - 207.5mg/L and it was dominated by the cations of Ca2+ and Mg2+. Total hardness increased down the stream, more or less similar to Narmada (Nath and Srivavastava, 2001) and its high content may be considered to be conducive for the biodiversity of the river. The fluctuations in calcium and magnesium concentration showed a similar trend as that of total hardness. Mg2+ hardness was less than Ca2+ Hardness. Water with calcium content above 25mg/L is classified as “Calcium rich or hard water stream” (Ohle, 1934). In present observation calcium was recorded between 71mg/L and 147mg/L, suggesting that Tawa River is to be a calcium rich river. Magnesium was recorded in the range of 20-84mg/L. Presence of high calcium and magnesium content is due to weathering of bedrock these rocks which form the sediment substrate of the stream, being prone to weathering. Major chemistry of water is attained from these bedrocks (sediment substrate). Phosphate was found in the range of 0.20 to 0.90mg/L. It varied greatly with the pattern of land use, human interference, type of sediment substrate etc. Source of phosphate in the river was sediment substrate (sedimentary rocks). Phosphates are strongly influenced by physico-chemical processes impart a great amount of phosphate in the river. This is also collaborating by the researches done in the upper reaches of Narmada (Nath and Srivavastava, 2001). The concentrations of nitrates in the present study of Tawa River fluctuated from 0.2mg/L to 0.650mg/L. However, in Narmada the low content of nitrates indicates its unpolluted status (Nath and Srivavastava, 2001) and it might be due to its utilization by aquatic macrophytes and algal blooms (Unni and Sankaran, 1996). Silicates in Tawa River varied from 0.36 to 1.36mg/L, which are supposed to come from leaching of silica rocks. Thus, Tawa is not silicate rich stream as Narmada (Nath and Srivavastava, 2001).

Table 1. Physico-chemical characteristics of water in Tawa River Parameters Unit Sites Months January February March April May Air oC 1 26 27 30 31.5 35.2 temperature 2 28 29 32 32 36 3 27 29 33 35 44 4 29 31 34 39 43 5 28 34 36 43 45 6 27 35 38 42 45 Water oC 1 21 24 27 26 28 temperature 2 24 26 28 28 29 3 25 26 29 29 30 4 25 28 30 30 29 5 24 29 31 31 31 6 25 28 31 29 30 Turbidity ntu 1 4.1 4.4 9.8 10.5 9.7

2 5.3 14.9 9.2 9.6 9.4 3 6.5 13.7 7.3 8.5 8.9 4 9.4 9.6 10.3 9.6 7.3 5 7.5 11.1 8.6 7.9 7 6 5.3 10.5 11.5 12 10 Total ppm 1 100 82 102 99 125 Dissolve 2 144 95 157 163 170 solids 3 103 56 112 122 120 4 150 99 190 192 185 5 92 96 101 120 112 6 98 97 105 109 132 Conductivity µS 1 326 307 298 299 245 2 345 409 365 286 366 3 409 337 256 245 460 4 532 615 235 264 365 5 235 317 432 294 369 6 235 334 351 356 365 pH 1 7.9 7.9 6.9 7.9 8.1 2 7.5 8.1 7.1 7.7 8.1 3 7.9 8.1 7.3 8.1 8.1 4 7.9 8.2 6.8 8 7.9 5 8.1 7.9 6.9 7.9 7.8 6 7.8 7.9 6.8 7.8 7.6 Total mg/L 1 19 24 26 29 26 Alkalinity 2 10 12 21 24 25 3 20 26 23 26 32 4 26 32 30 31 36 5 16 18 22 25 26 6 12 16 19 21 25 Free Carbon mg/L 1 16 18 16 20 23 dioxide 2 12 19 14 21 19 3 13 16 18 26 23 4 4 6 3 9 19 5 18 14 9.8 26 20 6 19 20 36 28 24 Dissolve mg/L 1 9.6 8.1 7.9 8.7 7.8 Oxygen 2 9.1 8.9 7.8 7.6 6.9 3 8.2 9.6 7.7 7.6 7.5 4 8.3 7.8 6.8 7.4 7.6 5 8.4 7.6 6.8 6.9 7.4 6 8.6 7.3 7.4 7.6 7.5 Chloride mg/L 1 23.32 22.7 21.78 19.32 32.6 2 26.23 27.72 38.61 35.6 29.3 3 31.22 22.8 25.4 36.1 26.32 4 19.5 12.87 18.81 20.63 23.11 5 31.5 16.83 23.01 23.65 30.11 6 30.26 16.9 22.3 26.32 31.32 Total mg/L 1 198 207.9 192.8 200 198 Hardness 2 178 187 172 198 196 3 195 118 160 186 145

4 167 134 155 178 168 5 135 110 160 169 178 6 122 117 168 178 196 Calcium mg/L 1 172 184 178 184 159 Hardness 2 145 114 136 144 145 3 124 96 103 123 104 4 136 102 89 132 131 5 95 78 112 115 152 6 93 95 119 102 112 Magnesium mg/L 1 26 23.9 14.8 16 39 Hardness 2 33 73 36 54 51 3 71 22 57 63 41 4 31 32 66 46 37 5 40 32 48 54 26 6 29 22 49 76 84 Total mg/L 1 0.23 0.28 0.29 0.58 0.59 Phosphate 2 0.25 0.21 0.32 0.26 0.3 3 0.2 0.32 0.41 0.28 0.31 4 0.34 0.4 0.52 0.33 0.26 5 0.38 0.45 0.6 0.45 0.42 6 0.43 0.54 0.62 0.65 0.52 Nitrate- mg/L 1 0.2 0.32 0.3 0.45 0.56 Nitrogen 2 0.32 0.51 0.36 0.36 0.41 3 0.53 0.65 0.21 0.42 0.65 4 0.65 0.56 0.32 0.58 0.42 5 0.35 0.45 0.085 0.32 0.64 6 0.64 0.36 0.32 0.45 0.64 Silicates mg/L 1 3.66 0.76 0.42 0.22 0.45 2 3.58 0.31 0.58 0.26 0.42 3 3.45 0.48 0.67 0.48 0.35 4 3.22 0.65 0.78 0.26 0.52 5 3.44 0.75 0.92 0.6 0.51 6 3.45 0.76 0.93 0.63 0.42 Iron mg/L 1 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.0048 0.006 2 0.002 0.006 0.003 0.004 0.003 3 0.006 0.004 0.006 0.003 0.0044 4 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.004 0.0056 5 0.004 0.007 0.004 0.0055 0.00517 6 0.005 0.005 0.006 0.004 0.0066 Note: 1-Sedalgondi, 2-Baradhar-Tawa confluence, 3-Tail end Dam confluence, 4-Latiya-Tawa confluence, 5-Phopas-Tawa confluence, 6-Machna-Tawa confluence.

4. Conclusions

The Tawa River shows some sort of deterioration in respect of physico-chemical properties due to coal ash from thermal plant, effluents from industries and other biotic interferences. The fluctuation in pH was moderate, presumably due to strong buffering capacity. The oxygen level decreases

Copyright © 2013 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Environ. Bioener. 2013, 6(3): 193-201 200 downstream while as, total hardness increased down the stream. Tawa River is to be considered as a calcium rich river not a silicate rich stream.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the Head, P. G. Department of Environmental Science and Limnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, (M.P) India, for providing necessary facilities for field study as well as laboratory analysis.

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