AEGAEUM JOURNAL ISSN NO: 0776-3808

Study of water quality of Swarnrekha River, , ,

Suresh Kumar 1, Sujata kumari 2

1. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India 2. , Ranchi, Jharkhand, India Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Abstract

The name of river “Swarnrekha” is given after in the ancient period due to the occurrence of “gold streaks” in the river water or river sediments. The river originated from a “seepage cum underground well”, locally called “Ranichuan” at the Nagari village of the . It is the first river which originates from seepage well locally called “Chuan” basically a great seepage well having a catchment area. According to Hindu Mythology, it is said that this Ranichuan was carved by the lord Rama by his arrow while Sita, his wife, was feeling thirsty during the period of Ramayana. In this way, we say that the river is basically originated from the seepage water or ground water. It travels towards the south east of Ranchi to East Singhbhum to Sarikhela and finally confluence with at cretina mouth of the river. Previously, it was very pure form of drinkable water and day by day its quality deteriorated due to the anthropogenic activities and ultimately whole stretches of the river turned into garbage field and most polluted water streams. So, now we can say the river turned from gold streak to garbage streak and not suitable for the human beings without treatment. Physical, Chemical and microbial properties of the river water from point of origin to the lower chutia is deterioted such as water is very clean at the site of origin and became gradually hazy and dirt as it crosses through the habitants or settlements. Similarly, pH value increases from point of origin to the last sampling point i.e. water is slightly acidic at the point of origin and slightly alkaline at the last point of our study. Other chemical parameters such as Turbidity, TDS, Chloride, Hardness, Alkalinity, calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Fluoride etc. increasing from point of origin to the last point of our study which showing the load of pollutant in river water due to heavy settlement and domestic sewer into the river. River parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is decreasing from point of origin to the last point of study. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) & Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is also increasing from point of origin to the last study point. Feacal Load is also increasing from point of origin to the last Study Point. Over all pollution load is increasing from point of origin of the river, Nagri village, to the last study point, Lower chutia, near Mahdev temple due to open sewer directly pouring into the water and other anthropogenic activities such as washing, bathing, cremation of dead bodies and their flushing into the river water.

Keyword- , gold to garbage, anthropogenic activities, seepage well, ranichuan. Physical, chemical and microbial parameters, River parameters.

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1.0 Introduction:

The Subarnarekha River originates near Nagari village (23° 18′ 02″N and 85° 11′ 04″E) in the Ranchi district and runs through some major cities and towns, i.e., , , Ranchi, Bhadrak before joining to the Bay of near Kirtania port (21° 33′ 18″N and 87° 23′ 31″E) in Orissa. The catchment area of the Subarnarekha River basin extends over 19,296 km2 and accounts for 0.6% of the geographical area of India (Roy et al. 2013. The Subarnarekha River is a very important water source to satisfy the irrigation, industrial and municipal water demands of these three states. The total length of this river is 269 km in Jharkhand, 64 km in and 62 km in . The Subarnarekha basin covers an area 19,300 km2 .This area is nearly the 0.6% of the total national river basin area and yields 0.4% of the country’s total surface water resources. The important tributaries of this river are includes Kanchi ,Karkari, Kharkai and Sankh rivers. The State-wise distribution of the Subarnarekha drainage is 68.4 % of Jharkhand, 16.1 %of Orissa and 15.5 % of west Bengal (Survey of India (1923–1979), Rao (1975).

2.0 Major tributaries of Swarnrekha River:

S.No Name of the Bank Length( Catchment % of the Annual tributary km) area (km2) total basin yield(MCM) area 1 Raru Right 50 622 3.22 250 2 Kanchi Right 80 1036 5.37 750 3 Karkari Right 120 1575 8.17 950 4 Kharkhai Right 145 5825 30.19 3.300 5 Garra Right 55 483 2.50 200 6 Sankh Right 30 196 1.02 80

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7 Other streams of Right - 4812 24.94 970 right bank 8 Jumar Left 35 182 0.94 70 9 Dulung Left 75 1173 6.08 500 10 Other streams of Left - 4760 17.64 870 left bank Total 19.296 100 7940 Source: Survey of India (1923-1979), Rao (1975)

3.0 Material and Methods:

3.1 Study area:

Water quality study of few stretches of river from Subarnarekha River in the origin point at the nagari to pugru hatia, tupudana bridge, road, namkum bridge.Ranchi,Jharkhand towards the down streams.

3.1.1 Origin point of swarnrekha river,Nagri Village,Ranchi:

The origin point of Subarnarekha River is situated 50 km away towards the south west of the Ranchi city .This origin point having very enlarge catchment area and source of seepage water through the sub surface soil which accumulates at a big water depression bodies which is basically seepage well and locally called Ranichuna. The streams of the river emerge out from this Ranichuna under the sub soil and later it creates Subarnarekha river steams. Now it flows towards south eastern directions and make water fall, Hundru which falls from 140 m height of hill cliffs .Within the catchment area and very close to the Ranichuna a good agricultural practices was being done in a traditional way with desired inputs such as fertilizers pesticides etc. so obviously these residues of pesticides and fertilizers is being mixed in seepage water through the agricultural runoff. So first water sample has been taken from this point to know the water quality aspects of river.

3.1.2 Pugru Hatia tupudana bridge,Ranchi:

This is the second point of water sampling in Ranchi city near the petrol pump pugru hatia. Physically water of the Subarnarekha stream seems very dirty like sewer canal water. The main anthropogenic activities were bathing, washing of clothes, open defecation and domestic sewer in the peri area of river stream. So these are the major source of the pollution in the river.

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3.1.3 Ghaghara road,Namkum bridge, Ranchi:

This is the third point of water sampling at Namkum, Ranchi which the pathways of the river stream. Physically the water of the stream are seems same as in pugru hatia tupudana point .Now the main anthropogenic activites are pouring of domestic sewer into the river , manual crimination of dead bodies and their flushing into the river ,bathing ,washing, and open defecation.so these are the major sources of water pollution at this stretches of Subarnarekha river.

3.1.4 Lower chutia near mahadev tample :

This is the fourth and last point of the water sampling at lower chutia Ranchi. Physically water was seen same as above three water sampling points. The major sources of the water pollutions are crimination of the dead bodies and their flushing into river, pouring of domestic sewer into the river, agricultural runoff, bathing, washing, and open defecation.

3.2 Data collection:

Water sample has been collected from above sites and analyzed in the analytical laboratory, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Parameters taken under the under the study are as following.

Chemicals Parameters: pH, Turbidity, Color, TDS, Alkalinity, Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron Arsenic, Fluoride.

River Parameters: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Microbial Parameters: Feacal Coliforms.

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3.2.1 Sampling & Preservation: Sampling and preservation has been done as per standards of American Public Health Association (APHA) guideline. Sampling for chemical Analysis has been done in PET bottle with suitable chemicals preservatives and sampling for river water parameters (DO, BOD, COD) has been done in BOD bottle.

3.2.2 Sample identity: It represents the identity of the water sampling point from where we have taken water sample for the study.

Sample-01: It is the point of Origin of river swarnrekha, “Ranichaun” at Nagri Village, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Sample-02: It is the 2nd point of water sampling in its pathways of downstream at Pugru,Hatia Bridge, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Sample-03: It is the third point of water sampling in its downstream pathaways at Ghagra Road, Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Sample-04: It is the 4th or last of point of water sampling in its downstream pathways at Lower Chutia, near Mahadev Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

4.0 Results and Discussion:

Analysis of sample has been done as per American Public Health Association (APHA), Guideline of Central Pollution control board and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India, which are as followings:

4.1 Chemical Parameters:

• pH: It measures the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the water and determines whether a water is acidic or basic . The hydrogen concentration is important for total solid content, as well as sewage and temperature of ecological studies. It range goes from 0 to 14, if value of pH lies below the 7, it is called acidic water and above the 7, it is called alkaline water. If the value of pH is equal to 7, it is called neutral water. pH value 8 7.25 7.35 7.5 7 6.58 6.68

6.5 pH Value pH 6 5.5 sample 01 sample 02 sample 03 sample 04 Sample

The above graph is showing that the pH of the river water at the point of origin of river (sample-01) 6.58 which is slightly acidic and increasing value in their pathways of flow from Pugru, Hatia bridge (Sample-02) to Ghaghra Road Namkum Bridge(Sample-03) to Lower Chutia, near Mahadev Temple(sample no-04) from 6.68,7.25 and 7.35 respectively. Volume 8, Issue 10, 2020 http://aegaeum.com/ Page No: 469 AEGAEUM JOURNAL ISSN NO: 0776-3808

• Turbidity: It is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. The more total suspended solids in the water, the murkier it seems and the higher the turbidity.

Turbidity 20 18 14.5 16 13.5 13.6 14 12 10 8 6 NTU Value NTU 2.6 4 2 0 -2 1 2 3 4 Turbidity 2.6 13.5 13.6 14.5 Sample

Water at the point of origin of the river is less turbid and increases in its downstream pathways as it crosses through dense settlement from 2.6 to 13.5, 13.6 and 14.5 respectively. At the last point, water is more turbid with its value 14.5 NTU.

• Colour: Although it is not toxic parameters of the river water but many organic, inorganic salts dissolves in river water gives a different colour. It is measured in Hazen Unit.

Colour 16 14 12 12 10 10 10 8 6 5

4 Value in Value Hazen Unit 2 0 1 2 3 4 Sample

Water is almost transparent at the point of origin and becoming less transparent respectively in its downstream pathways as shown in above graph.

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• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): It is the term used to describe the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in water. The principal constituents are usually calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium cations and carbonate, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate anions. High level of TDS means more salts content in the water in dissolved form.

TDS 250

200 174 164 166

150

100 TDS TDS Mg/l 36 50

0 1 2 3 4 TDS 36 164 166 174 Sample

TDS of water at the origin point of river is lesser as compared to the other three point

of its downstream pathways as it crosses human settlement. It is increasing from their origin point to last sampling point from 36 mg/l to 164,166 and 174 mg/l respectively.

• Alkalinity: It is a chemical measurement of a water’s ability to neutralize acids it is also a measure of a water’s buffering capacity or its ability to resist changes in pH upon the addition of acids or bases. It is anionic salts such carbonate, Bicarbonate, hydroxyl, phosphate and silicate etc. contribute alkalinity to water. It is expressed as mg/l caco3.

Alkalinity as Caco3 140

120 102 96 96 100 80 60

40 28 Alkalinity Mg/l in 20 0 1 2 3 4 Alkalinity as Cac03 28 96 96 102 Sample

The river water at the point of origin is lesser alkaline as compared to other three point as shown in above graphs. So anionic salts are less at the point of origin and it increases as its passes through human settlement.

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• Hardness: The traditional method to measure water hardness is the capacity of water to react with soap. Hard water requires considerably more soap to produce the lather. It is not caused by a single substance but by a variety of dissolved polyvalent metallic ions, predominantly calcium and magnesium cations, although other cations, e.g. barium, iron, manganese, strontium and zinc, also contribute. It is most commonly expressed as milligrams of calcium carbonate equivalent per litre. Water containing less than 60 mg of calcium carbonate per litre generally being considered as soft. it may also be discussed in terms of carbonate (temporary) and noncarbonated (permanent) hardness.

Total hardness as Caco3 120 95 100 92 88

80

60

40 24

Total Hardness Mg/l 20

0 1 2 3 4 Total hardness as Caco3 24 92 88 95 Sample

Hardness of the river water is in increasing trends from their point of origin to last point from 24 mg/l to 92, 88 and 95 mg/l respectively. Salts of carbonate and bicarbonate is the major parts of hardness which imparts from washing and bathing with detergents and soap.

• Calcium: It is mainly carbonate and bicarbonate salts of calcium in the form of hardness and dissolved salts in the river water. Calcium content of river water is increasing from the point of origin to the last point of sampling as shown in below graph: Calcium as Ca 35 30 24 25 25 19.2 20 15

ValueMg/l 10 6.4 5 0 1 2 3 4 Calcium as Ca 6.4 24 19.2 25 Sample

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• Arsenic: It is the metalloid elements which found in ground water as well as in surface water as trivalent and pentavalenet form respectively. Surface water contains only pentavalent arsenic which oxidizes in the presence of light and atmospheric conditions. All samples of water from point of origin of the river (sample-01) to pugru hatia bridge(Sample-02),Ghaghara Road, Namkum bridge(sample-03) and lower chutia near Mahadev temple (sample-04) showing below the detectable limit (BDL) as shown in table: Parameter Sample-01 Sample-02 Sample-03 Sample-04 Arsenic BDL BDL BDL BDL

• Fluoride: Fluorine is a common element that does not occur in the elemental state in nature because of its high reactivity. It is found in surface water due to anthropogenic activities through fluoride bearing minerals. It is expressed in mg/l. Fluoride 0.4 0.35 0.29 0.29 0.3 0.27 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.02 FluorideMg/l 0.05 0 -0.05 -0.1 1 2 3 4 Fluoride 0.02 0.29 0.27 0.29 Sampl,e

River water having fluoride content from the origin point to last study point is increasing from 0.02 mg/l to 0.29, 0.27 and 0.29 respectively. Agricultural runoff and fertilizer residue mainly contributing the fluoride content at the point of origin since fertilizer contain at least 3.8 % fluoride. At the other point of study, only sewer water is only contributing the fluoride content in river water.

• Nitrate: The nitrate concentration in surface water is normally low (0–18 mg/l) but can reach high levels as a result of agricultural runoff, refuse dump runoff or contamination with human or animal wastes. The concentration often fluctuates with the season and may increase when the river is fed by nitrate-rich aquifers. The origin point of Swarnrekha River is mainly surrounded by the agricultural field so the nitrate content of river water at the origin point is due to agricultural runoff and seepage from the catchment area.

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Nitrate 40 35 30.2 28.5 30 25.22 25 20 15

NitrateMg/l 8.9 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 Nitrate 8.9 25.22 28.5 30.2 Sample

Nitrate content of the river water at the point of origin is low and only due to agricultural and fertilizer runoff and at the other three point is 25.22 mg/l to 30.2 mg/l which is due to sewer water pouring into the river. So sewer water contains more nitrate than the agricultural runoff.

• Chloride: Chloride levels in unpolluted waters are often below 10 mg/litre and sometimes below 1 mg/litre. Chloride in water may be considerably increased by treatment processes in which chlorine or chloride is used.

Chloride 40 35 27.99 29.22 30 23.99 25 20 15

Value 10 1.99 5 0 -5 -10 1 2 3 4 Chloride 1.99 23.99 27.99 29.22 Sample

Chloride content of river water is more than 1 mg/l but less than 10 mg/l at the point of origin but gradually increases while it passes through human settlement and reach up to 29.22 mg/l at the last point of study.

• Iron: Iron is the second most abundant metal in the earth's crust, of which it accounts for about 5%. Elemental iron is rarely found in nature, as the iron ions Fe2+ and Fe3+ readily combine with oxygen- and sulphur-containing compounds to form oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and sulphides. It is most commonly found in nature in the form of its oxides. The Jharkhand land is predominant by the iron that’s why soil is looks as

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red or brown colour. The ferric iron tends to settle at the bottom of the river and ferrous iron is dissolvable in the river water. Iron 0.35 0.28 0.3 0.24 0.25 0.21 0.2 0.16

0.15 IronMg/l 0.1 0.05 0 1 2 3 4 Iron 0.16 0.21 0.24 0.28 Sample

Iron content of the river water at the point of origin is 0.16 mg/l and increases up to 0.28 mg/l at the last point of study respectively.

• Magnesium: It is found in water as part of the hardness in the form of carbonate and bicarbonate salts. It also comes in water from decaying material and vegetation. Magnesium as Mg 14 12 9.72 10.2 10 7.77 8 6 4

Magnesium Magnesium Mg/l 1.94 2 0 1 2 3 4 Magnesium as Mg 1.94 7.77 9.72 10.2 Sample

The Magnesium content in water at the point of origin is lesser as compared to other sampling point in its downstream pathways.

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4.2 River Parameters: These are the important parameters for any water bodies and aquatic lives and indicator of the organic and inorganic pollution load in the River water. These parameters are followings:

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Although water molecules contain an oxygen atom, this oxygen is not what is needed by aquatic organisms living in natural waters. A small amount of oxygen, up to about ten molecules of oxygen per million of water, is actually dissolved in water. Oxygen enters a stream mainly from the atmosphere and, in areas where groundwater discharge into streams is a large portion of stream flow, from ground water discharge. This dissolved oxygen is breathed by fish and zooplankton and is needed by them to survive.

DO 8 7.2 7 6.5 5.6 6 5.4 5 4

DO DO Mg/l 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 DO 7.2 6.5 5.6 5.4 Sample

The dissolved oxygen of river water at point of origin is 7.2mg/L which is much better for the aquatic life support but it is decreases from the point of origin to the last point of the study from 7.2mg/L to 6.5, 5.6, and 5.4mg/L respectively. Overall, the quality of the river water in terms of dissolved oxygen is in good situation and still will able to support the aquatic life.

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD is determined by analysing the difference in dissolved oxygen from a sample for five days. Because of this standardized time, BOD is often referred to as BOD-5. ... Unpolluted rivers usually have BOD levels below 1 part per million (equivalent to 1 mg/L), while untreated sewage has between 200 and 600 ppm.

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BOD 7 6 5.3 5 4.2 4 3.2 2.7 3 BOD BOD Mg/l 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 BOD 2.7 3.2 4.2 5.3 Sample

The BOD of river water is increasing at the point of origin to the last sampling point from 2.7mg/L to 3.2,4.2,and 5.3mg/L.The increasing trend of BOD of the river water is showing the increasing trend of the inorganic pollution load in the water while its crosses

towards human settlements in its downstream pathway .

• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic (oxygen is present) conditions at a specified temperature.

COD

70 60 60 52 50 50 40 40 30 COD COD Mg/l 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 COD 40 52 50 60 Sample

The COD of the river water is increasing from point of origin to its downstream pathway as showed in graph .The increasing trend of COD shows the increasing trend of organic and inorganic load in the river water.

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4.3 Microbial Parameters:

• Fecal coliform: The discharge of wastes from domestic sewers is one of the most important water quality issues across the downstream of the river. Domestic sewage contains human faeces and water contaminated with these effluents may contain pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms and, consequently, may be hazardous to human health if used as drinking-water or in food preparation.

Total Coliforms(CFU/100ml 35 28 30 24 25 22 18 20

15 TC TC CFU 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 Total Coliforms(CFU/100ml 18 22 24 28 Sample

The presence of fecal coliform in the river water is the indication of human fecal matter in the water. This fecal matter is coming into the water from the origin point of the river to the all three sampling point of the river due to mixing of domestic sewer directly into the river water.

5.0 Conclusion: Physical, Chemical and microbial properties of the river water from point of origin to the lower chutia is deterioted such as water is very clean at the site of origin and became gradually hazy and dirt as it crosses through the habitants or settlements. Similarly, pH value increases from point of origin to the last sampling point i.e. water is slightly acidic at the point of origin and slightly alkaline at the last point of our study. Other chemical parameters such as Turbidity, TDS, Chloride, Hardness, Alkalinity, calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Fluoride etc. increasing from point of origin to the last point of our study which showing the load of pollutant in river water due to heavy settlement and domestic sewer into the river. River parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is decreasing from point of origin to the last point of study. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) & Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is also increasing from point of origin to the last study point. Feacal Load is also increasing from point of origin to the last Study Point. Over all pollution load is increasing from point of origin of the river, Nagri village, to the last study point, Lower chutia, near Mahdev temple due to open sewer directly pouring into the water and other anthropogenic activities such as washing, bathing, cremation of dead bodies and their flushing into the river water

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References:

• Soma Giri and A K Singh, Assessment of Surface Water Quality Using Heavy Metal Pollution Index in Subarnarekha River, India year-2013 in Springer. • Sandeep Kumar, Gautama Chinmaya Maharanaa, Divya Sharma, Abhay K.Singh, b Jayant K. Tripathia, Sudhir Kumar Singh , Evaluation of groundwater quality in the Chotanagpur plateau region of the Subarnarekha river basin, Jharkhand State, India Sustainability of Water Quality and Ecology Volume 6, September 2015, Pages 57-74 • Subhabrata Banerjee, Adarsh Kumar, Subodh Kumar Maiti & Abhiroop Chowdhury, Seasonal variation in heavy metal contaminations in water and sediments of Jamshedpur stretch of Subarnarekha river, India, Environmental Earth Sciences volume 75, Article number: 265 (2016) hematic Issue Published: 25 January 2016 • Sharma, Ghosh, Bhaduri, Ecology, environmental pollution, food and nutrition,1989 • Chemistry for Environmental Engineering (3rd Ed), McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1978. • Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (18th Ed.), American Water Works Association, 1992.

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