臺灣水利 第 66 卷 第 1 期 Taiwan Water Conservancy 民國 107 年 3 月出版 Vol. 66, No. 1, March 2018

Ecological Analysis of Nutrient Dynamics and Phytoplankton Assemblage in the Ganga River System,

Gagan Matta1, Avinash Kumar1, Naik, Pradeep K.2, Tiwari, A.K.3 and Berndtsson, R.4 1 Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri University, , . 2 Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. of India, Central Ground Water Board, Chandigarh. 3 DIATI-Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy. 4 Centre for Middle Eastern studies, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

ABSTRACT Various domestic, agricultural, industrial and municipal wastes or effluents carrying a variety of nutrients discharge into the Ganga River at many points. For the assessment of nutrient content into the river water the light intensity (LI), temperature, turbidity (Tu),

velocity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), free CO2, chloride (Cl−) Phosphorus (P), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Sulphate, Chlorophyll-a (Chl a), − − − − 2− Nitrate (NO3 ), Nitrite (NO2 ), Silicate (SiO3 ), bicarbonate (HCO3 ) phosphate (PO4 ), + + Calcium (Ca2 ) and Magnesium (Mg2 ) were investigated for 10 different sites of the Ganga river system for the period of 2013-2014. A total of three groups of phytoplankton were identified, i.e., diatoms, green algae and blue-green algae. Six notable diatom groups (Diatoma, Fragilaria, Gomphonema, Amphora, Cymbella and Achnanthes) were also observed. The higher levels of nutrients were observed at downstream versus midstream − sites, although Cl- (5.81 mg/l) and NO3 (0.063 mg/l) levels, which were higher at site-1 during the monsoon and the post-monsoon seasons, were the exceptions to this. The WQI value was observed below 100 during the winter (92.70) and the summer (94.42) whereas the values exceeded the suitable limit in the monsoon (161.29) and the post-monsoon (142.37) seasons.

Keywords: Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Diatoms, River Ganga, Ganga canal.

1. INTRODUCTION Matta et al., 2015a). Nutrients are compounds that life forms need to live and grow and which must be The water quality of rivers is a serious concern taken in from its environment. Unpolluted, protected at present. Rivers are drastically affected by the and sufficient freshwater is essential to the survival discharge of domestic, agricultural, municipal and of every single living life form and the smooth industrial effluents (Tiwari et al., 2016; Matta, 2014; activities of biological organisms, communities, and

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; Mob. No. 9412072170

( 1 ) economies. Declining water quality has turned into the nutrient concentration and phytoplankton a worldwide issue of worry as human populations composition of different sampling locations of the increase, modern horticultural exercises grow Ganga river in Indian state of Uttarakhand. We use and environmental change problems make real the indexing approach to categorize the river into modifications to the water cycle. Both natural and different water quality classes and identify different man-made processes influenced the surface and contamination sources. We also estimate the the groundwater quality. An excess number of correlation between nutrient level and phytoplankton human, domestic and commercial activities directly as an additional goal of this study. or indirectly impact the contamination status and nutrient dynamics of water samples of Ganga Canal 2. METHODS AND MATERIAL (Matta et al., 2015b). Increased attention to nutrient sources is a 2.1. Study area critical factor in recognizing the nature of water source quality and the probability of eutrophication. To find out the ecological condition of the Nutrient monitoring systems are vital sources of Ganga river system for the time period of 2013- information about the contamination status of rivers. 14, the assessment of nutrient components and The nutrient loads originating from the two main phytoplankton assemblage was conducted from anthropogenic sources include the composts utilized to Roorkee region. Water samples were as a part of the farming industry (diffuse sources) collected from 10 different sites of Ganga River and those released as wastewater (point sources). system including the canal system on the basis of The Ganga basin represents somewhat more than anthropogenic stress, a list of these sites is given one-fourth (26.3%) of the nation's aggregate in Table 1 along with their names, system type and geological zone and is the greatest river basin in coordinates. Shivpuri is the upstream site, which is India. It crosses and is exposed to the myriad of less disturbed and 18 km away from Rishikesh, a conditions of different states of India {Uttarakhand, natural ecosystem that is a well-known tourist spot Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Delhi, and parts of and is popular for river rafting and beach camping. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Just next to the sampling location, a popular tourist Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal} (Dubey et al., spot is available for river rafting with commercial 2012; Kumar and Chopra, 2012). setups. In this work, the main objective is to highlight

Table 1. Location of Sampling Sites with GPS coordinates Sampling Site No. Sampling Site Type of system Longitude Latitude 1. Shivpuri River System 78° 16' 5.2032'' E 30° 5' 13.7760'' N 2. Ram Zhoola River System 78.3142° E 30.1236° N 3. Triveni Ghat River System 78°54′55.733″E 29°59′4.834″N 4. Pashulok Barrage River System 78.2883° E 30.0742° N 5. Chilla Range River System 780 13’ 10.33” E 29°55'10"N 6. River /Canal System 780 10’ 33.84” E 29°55'10"N 7. Mayapur Canal System 780 09’ 20.93” E 29°55'10"N 8. Jatwara Bridge Canal System 78°6'12"E 29°55'10"N 9. Bahadrabad Canal System 780 01’ 58.48” E 290 54’ 36.30” N 10. Roorkee Canal System 77°53′23.74″E 29° 52′ 29.49″ N

( 2 ) 2.2. Samples Collection and analysis been implemented by many researchers (Bhutiani et al., 2014; Randey et al., 2016; Gupta et al., 2017). A total of 40 water samples were collected The equation used for the computation of WQI from ten locations from Rishikesh to Roorkee region is: via Haridwar i.e. Rishikesh - Shivpuri, Ram Zhoola, n Wi qi Triveni Ghat, Pashulok Barrage, Chilla Power WQI = (1) Wi House; Haridwar - Bhimgoda Barrage, Mayapur, i =0 th Jatwara Bridge, Bahadrabad, Roorkee, seasonally, where, qi = subindex or quality rating for the i viz. winter (November – February), summer (March parameter. th – June), monsoon season (July – August) and post- Wi = unit weight for the i parameter. monsoon season (September – October) from We calculated the WQI in 4 steps: 2013 – 2014. Sampling locations were selected at 1st we selected parameters. in this study 14 mid points of the river system. The representative hydro-chemical variables were selected out of 19 samples are obtained from 1 ft depth below the due to the lack of proposed permissible limits of surface of the water. Each sample consisted of drinking water for all 19 by WHO (2011) and BIS approximately 20 L of water collected from each (2012). location. 2nd we calculated the sub-index or quality rating

We conducted tests in a triplicate fashion and (qi ). The equation is expressed as follows (Brown et recorded the mean of each parameter from each al., 1972): site. Preservation of samples was at deep freeze in o (Va Vi ) −15 ± 5 C for further analysis. Parameters like pH, qi = × 100 (2) { (Vs Vi ) } temperature, and free CO2 were recorded on the spot and other parameters like phytoplankton chlorophyll where, qi = subindex for the ith parameter conc., ammonium conc., nitrate conc., nitrite Va = actual value present of the ith parameter conc., silicate, bicarbonate, phosphate, calcium, at a given sampling station. magnesium, dissolved oxygen were recorded in the Vi = ideal value for the ith parameter laboratory using standard methods (Khanna et al., Vs = standard value for the ith parameter 2011; APHA, 2012). If quality rating is equal to zero, that means the complete absence of pollutants. While, a quality 2.3. Statistical analysis rating of 0 < qi < 100 implies that, the pollutants are In statistical analysis, a correlation matrix above the standards (Ahmad, 2014). rd developed between parameters by using the Pearson 3 we calculated the unit weight (Wi) for the coefficient of correlation for data analysis of Ganga ith parameter, which is inversely proportional to the River water to measure the variations between standard value of that particular variable. sites 1-10. MS Excel 2016 was used to measure the k Wi = (3) minimum, maximum, mean and standard deviation Si th (SD) of the data. where, Si = standard value for the i parameter k = proportionality constant, which can be 2.3.1. Water Quality Index (WQI): calculated as: The computation of the WQI was done for 1 k = (4) observed data by the weighted arithmetic index 1 S method for different parameters. This method has i

( 3 ) 4th we categorized the computed WQI values drinking water. Chauhan and Singh (2010) reported into five classes for water quality, given as: <50 is that Ganga water contained the highest dissolved excellent; 50-100 is good; 100-200 is poor; 200- oxygen during the winter season, followed by a 300 is very poor and above 300 is unsuitable for gradual decrease to its lowest values during the drinking purposes (Randey et al., 2016). monsoon season. The higher concentrations of DO were recorded during the winter season mainly 3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION due to low turbidity and increased photosynthetic activity of the green algae found on the submerged In this work, the seasonal variation in nutrient stones and pebbles. level from 10 different sites of the Ganga river The maximum level of BOD (3.76 mg/l) system is given in Table 2. The light intensity was recorded at site-1 during winters whereas the varied from 321.67 μ mol. m-2 s-1 at Bahadrabad minimum (0.68 mg/l) at site-8 during the monsoon during winters to 6022.75 μ mol. m-2 s-1 at Ram season. Similar observations of BOD (2 to 7.70 Zhoola during the summer season. The water mg/l) was recorded for surface water at Dhampur temperature plays an important role in the solubility district (U.P.), India (Matta et al., 2016). The status of salts and gases. It is one of the most significant of free CO2 was higher (2.30 mg/l) at site-2 during parameters which control physical qualities of the monsoon whereas it was lower (0.29 mg/l) at water. In the present study, the temperature value site-3 during the winters. Matta et al. (2017) also o ranged from 9-19.5 C. Maximum Tu (593.31 NTU, reported similar findings for free CO2 (0.1-0.9 mg/ Nephelometric Turbidity) was observed at sit e-6 l) for the Henwal river (one of the tributaries of the during the monsoon whereas the minimum (5.31 Ganga river) in the Himalayan region. Singh (2014) -1 NTU) at site-1 during the post-monsoon period. reported the lowest values (39.3 mg l ) of free CO2 Matta and Kumar (2015) studied the quality of the in the winter season, whereas the highest values Ganga river system and observed the higher Tu (61.7 mg l-1) was recorded in the summer season (465.8 ± 65.41 NTU) in the monsoon due to heavy during the study of Gomti River’s water quality rainfall. The water flow or velocity varied from (U.P.) India. 0.68 m/s in the monsoon at site-8 to 1.64 m/s in Almost all natural waters contain chloride − − winters at site-10. According to EPA, Environmental (Cl ) and sulphate (SO4 ) ions. Low to moderate Protection Agency (2012), the lower flow is less concentrations of both chloride and sulphate ions able to dilute and degrade harmful contaminants. add taste to water. In fact, they are desirable for this Dissolved oxygen data are valuable in reason. Excessive concentrations of either, of course, determining the water quality criteria of an can make water unpleasant to drink. TKN and aquatic system. In the system where the rates of phosphorus (P) are nutrients that are natural parts of respiration and organic decomposition are high, aquatic ecosystems. TKN is also the most abundant the DO values usually remain lower than those of element in the air we breathe. TKN and phosphorus the systems where the rate of photosynthesis is (P) support the growth of algae and aquatic plants, high. Temperature also plays an important role in which provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish and determining DO in an aquatic body (Khanna et al., smaller organisms that live in water (EPA, 2012). 2012a, b). The DO concentration was observed to be During the present study maximum concentration of sufficient (above 6 mg/l) at all the sites throughout Cl− (5.81 mg/l) at site-1 during the monsoon, P (0.19 the study period, 6 mg/l is the prescribed limit by mg/l) at site-3 during the winters, TKN (0.1 mg/l) 2− BIS, Bureau of Indian Standards 2012 for suitable at site-9 during the monsoon and SO4 (22.9 mg/

( 4 ) 4.7± 1.39± 8.68± 1.88± 1.43± 0.07± 0.04± 15.35± 69.45± 0.01±0 0.04±0 2.72±0.3 1719.41± 17.4±4.23 0.04±0.01 0.06±0.01 3.23±0.38 Mean±SD 36.86±9.49 10.98±0.85 3 10 3.8 225 0.11 1.63 2.26 5.46 0.07 22.9 3.12 12.4 Max 18.22 0.063 0.012 0.043 58.72 0.084 2495.78 Post-monsoon 7.7 0.5 9.8 2.5 Min 5.31 1.01 0.71 3.53 0.04 0.01 8.64 2.29 0.03 11.82 0.034 0.007 27.55 0.043 908.23 0.01±0 1.2±0.68 0.1±0.04 15.3±2.97 0.99±0.35 9.30±0.87 2.06±1.16 4.54±0.72 0.08±0.05 0.04±0.03 3.28±0.39 0.04±0.01 0.04±0.01 3.27±0.42 Mean±SD 18.62±2.54 39.51±9.78 12.27±1.66 222.95±203.98 1966.49±1448.65 Monsoon 11 2.3 3.7 19.5 1.58 3.56 5.81 22.6 4.21 14.7 Max 0.179 0.098 0.059 0.009 0.052 54.02 0.175 593.31 5652.85 0.4 2.8 9.6 2.6 Min 11.5 8.02 0.68 8.21 0.68 3.42 0.03 14.4 0.015 0.031 0.004 0.027 28.05 0.048 402.15 0.01±0 15.2±3.6 1.29±0.2 0.1±0.04 0.04±0..2 10.09±1.4 2.35±0.45 1.33±0.71 4.67±0.95 0.09±0.06 3.04±0.44 0.03±0.01 0.04±0.01 45.41±6.5 12.23±1.9 3.67±0.35 Mean±SD 19.46±2.92 133.92±173.33 2945.5±1452.26 Summer 19 1.62 3.21 2.25 5.68 0.08 3.73 14.6 4.15 Max 0.011 12.16 0.192 22.21 0.047 0.057 53.94 0.181 510.07 6022.75 3 9.5 0.3 9.1 Min 0.94 0.99 8.65 1.89 2.81 0.02 2.36 0.029 14.56 0.026 0.005 0.032 35.79 0.058 1074.92 0.01±0 4.4±1.08 0.1±0.05 15.2±3.57 1.38±0.21 9.61±1.35 2.56±0.62 1.27±0.66 0.04±0.03 17.71±.20 3.55±0.68 0.03±0.01 0.04±0.01 0.08±0.02 4.34±0.48 Mean±SD 14.33±1.87 58.73±12.26 128.72±158.92 2178.83±1317.5 Table 2. Seasonal variation in hydro-chemical characteristics of the Ganga river system throughout study period. Table Winter 19 5.7 0.1 4.9 1.64 3.76 2.26 0.19 0.09 4.46 0.05 0.05 16.4 Max 11.94 22.12 0.014 72.22 4171.5 496.61 0 10 1.2 Min 0.97 7.89 1.89 0.29 2.47 0.05 2.64 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.05 12.2 3.55 14.32 39.98 321.67 3 − − 3 − 4 3 2 4 P LI Cl Tu Ca Mg DO PO SiO SO TKN NO NO Velo. BOD Chl a HCO Temp. F. CO2 F. Parameters

( 5 ) l) was observed at site-7 during the post-monsoon these anions may cause serious health issues and the season In the monsoon and the post-monsoon monitoring of them is extremely important for the season, the concentration of these parameters were sustainability of any water body (Matta and Gjyli, noticeably high. Matta et al. (2015c) reported higher 2016). 2− values of these parameters (Cl-, P, TKN and SO4 ), 3.1. Composition of Phytoplankton i.e., 5.70, 0.13, 0.08 and 26.31 mg/l, respectively, in the summer season and lower values in the winter The concentration of phytoplankton groups season at site-9 and 10 in comparison to site-6 for and species fluctuated in all the samples, presented the Ganga Canal System in the Himalayan Region. in Table 3. Three main groups of phytoplankton Aggarwal and Arora (2012) reported the maximum were identified as follows: diatoms, green algae concentrations of Cl- (15.88 mg/l), TKN (5.32 mg/ and blue-green algae. Six species, i.e., Diatoma, 2− l) and SO4 (14.60 mg/l) for Kaushalya River water Fragilaria, Gomphonema, Amphora, Cymbella and at the S4 site (Intake Channel of WSS Kalka) in Achnanthes belonging to the diatom group were Parwanoo (H.P.), India. recorded during the study period. The maximum Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphates density of phytoplankton (3126 individual/L) was compounds in water stimulate the growth of algae observed at site-7 during the post-monsoon season and other photosynthetic aquatic life, which leads and the minimum (666 individual/L) was at site-6 to accelerated eutrophication of water bodies during the winter. According to Uniyal (2017) the (Dubey et al., 2012). The maximum concentrations maximum number of total phytoplankton indicates of nutrients at specific sites and seasons are as good physicochemical conditions or the presence of follows: Chl-a (4.46 mg m–3) at site-4 during organic pollutants, which is positively beneficial for − the winter, NO3 (0.063 mg/l) at site-1 during the the growth of these species. − post-monsoon, NO2 (0.014 mg/l) at site-6 during Among all three groups composing the − the winter, SiO3 (0.057 mg/l) at site-4 during the phytoplankton community, i.e., diatoms, green − summer, HCO3 (72.22 mg/l) at site-5 during the algae and blue-green algae, diatoms were the 2− winter, PO4 (0.181 mg/l) at site-4 during the dominant group at all the sites followed by green summer, Ca2+ (16.4 mg/l) at site-3 during the winter algae and blue-green algae. Matta et al. (2017) and Mg2+ (4.85 mg/l) were recorded at site-4 during reported the dominance of blue-green algae among the winter. Much of these nutrients may originate phytoplankton and protozoa among zooplankton in increased anthropogenic sources such as sewage in the Henwal river of the Himalayan region. discharge, industrial effluent and surface runoff from Changes in the phytoplankton populations were the agricultural field at site-9 (Abdar, 2013). This clearly related more with physical than with was in conformity with Das and Panda (2010) who chemical conditions of the water. Changes in water- − reported the higher concentration of NO2 (1.30 mg/ level, nutrient contents and temperature affected − 2− 2+ l), HCO3 (204.70 mg/l), PO4 (0.249 mg/l), Ca the growth of the phytoplankton. The maximum (123.00 mg/l) and Mg2+ (79.30 mg/l) were present at concentration of bicarbonate and pH increased the Orrisa, India. growth of diatoms and blue-green algae. Higher Kamal et al. (2014) reported higher concentrations of phosphates and silicates with − 1− − concentrations of SiO3 (259.8 mgL ) and HCO3 nitrates and nitrite contents were responsible for (121.6 mgL1−) in the Ganga river waters in the high phytoplankton growth in the summer and summer season at the upper Gangetic plain of J P winter seasons. Bhatnagar et al. (2013) have also Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. The chemical species of reported a similar trend of phytoplankton dominance

( 6 ) 104±62.0 50±20.73 Mean±SD 151±96.27 137±74.73 129±63.47 231±108.7 233±155.79 1727.4±672.24 186.30±131.58 1449.80±568.51 81 411 489 290 301 231 227 381 Max 3126 2701 Post-monsoon 7 67 64 46 64 60 36 21 867 839 Min Mean±SD 54.1±38.36 117.9±52.59 147.5±81.45 136.2±68.60 183.7±119.78 222.5±123.15 183.1±129.66 195.6±106.46 1812.3±668.32 1562.5±545.35 Monsoon 371 409 442 303 219 214 401 124 Max 2669 2208 5 58 87 34 21 37 42 15 699 679 Min Mean±SD 30.4±24.19 114.3±71.03 130.9±68.38 145.4±61.20 1224.8±388.0 162.1±138.36 179.4±150.10 152.1±121.33 153.9±124.39 1040.4±263.21 Summer 81 412 449 237 452 227 222 384 Max 1846 1423 4 43 35 51 60 36 51 16 721 698 Min Table 3. Seasonal variation in phytoplankton populations of the Ganga river water Table Mean±SD 85.6±46.84 87.9±53.06 108.3±88.08 131.1±70.97 149.5±83.36 35.10±34.94 146.2±122.53 172.10±126.29 1429.10±681.61 1221.90±556.63 Winter 89 342 433 162 231 191 271 412 Max 2605 2104 3 44 35 39 55 32 26 32 666 510 Min algae Diatoma Amphora Total Phy Total Fragilaria Cymbella Total Diat Total Acnanthes Parameters Bule-green Green algae Gomphonema

( 7 ) in river . study also shows that Diatoma, Fragilaria and In this study, the average population Gomphonema were the most abundant species densities of various species of diatoms during followed by Amphora, Cymbella and Achnanthes. the winter season of the Ganga river water were The occurrence of these species might be due to the as follows: Diatoma (108.30±88.08), Fragilaria capability of these groups of phytoplankton species (146.20±122,53), Gomphonema (85.60±46.84), to survive in unfavourable conditions and to adapt Amphora (131.10±70.97), Cymbella (87.90±53.06) to the environment, therefore, they can be used as an and Achnanthes (149.50±83.36). In the summer indicator of organic pollution in the river. the mean density of phytoplankton species were 3.2. Correlation as follows: 162.10±138.36, 179.40±150.10, 130.90±68.38, 152.10±121.33, 114.30±71.03 To observe the significant relationship between and 145.40±61.20, respectively. The average the hydro-chemical and the phytoplankton population densities of these species were species, Karl Pearson’s correlation matrix was 183.70±119.78, 222.50±123.15, 183.10±129.66, used. We present the results in Table 6. The level 147.50±81.45, 136.20±68.60 and 117.90±52.59, of significance was considered at >0.05 value to respectively, during the monsoon season. During identify the positive correlation. A highly positive the post-monsoon season, the average density was correlation was noticed for phytoplankton species 186.30±131.58, 232.50±155.79, 150.70±96.27, abundance, i.e., Diatoma, Fragilaria, Gomphonema, 136.50±74.73, 128.70±63.47 and 104.10±62.00, Amphora, Cymbella, Acnanthes and physico- − respectively. Mathivanan et al. (2007) reported chemical parameters, such as DO, TKN, SO4 , − maximum phytoplankton population densities at NO3 . Negative correlations were found for the 76.00 at Pannavadi and 66.00 at Sankalimuniappan phytoplankton species abundance and BOD, P, − − − Koil area of river Cauvery at Salem District, Tamil NO2 , SiO3 , HCO3 , Ca and Mg. Nadu (India). Kumar (2014) reported phytoplankton 3.3. Water Quality Index analysis population (diatoms, green algae and blue-green algae) increases from the summer (37.07%, 33.54% The WQI is a very helpful tool used to interpret and 37.68%) and reached the maximum during the the huge amount of data involved in water body winter (54.69%, 59.65% and 54.20%) for Goriganga monitoring. The calculation of water quality index river of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand (India). was done to assess the seasonal quality levels During the present study, significant parameters of the Ganga River. Tables 4 and 5 present the − − − such as free CO2, Chl-a, Na, NO2 , SiO3 , HCO3 , water sample data. For the calculation of WQI, we Ca and Mg were substantially higher at downstream calculated the average values of ten hydro-chemical sites. Deterioration of water quality at these sites parameters. These parameters were recorded as they is attributed to industrial effluent and domestic were considered in the proposed standard values sewage drainage. The study also shows that for drinking water quality by BIS (2012) and WHO diatoms were also dominant at downstream sites. (2011). The observed index values of different The dominance of diatom populations in polluted seasons clearly show that the water quality was good habitats has also been reported earlier (Ayoade et during the winter and summer seasons as the index al., 2009) for Bhagirathi and Bhilangana River of values were 92.70 and 94.42, respectively. However, Uttarakhand and (Kumari et al., 2014) for Narmada in the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, the 2− − river, M.P. India. PO4 and NO3 concentrations index value was 161.29 and 142.37, respectively, play a vital role in their distributional pattern. The which indicates that the water quality was in poor

( 8 ) Table 4. WQI parameters and calculation during the winter season

Parameters Va (mg/l) Vi (mg/l) Vs (mg/l) wi Va − Vi Si − Ii qi wi * qi Turbidity (NTU) 12.87 1 5 0.121418 11.87 4 296.75 36.03078 DO (mg/l) 9.61 6 13 0.046699 3.61 7 51.6 2.409679 BOD (mg/l) 2.56 3 5 0.121418 0.44 2 21.9 2.65905

Free CO2 (mg/l) 1.27 2 10 0.060709 0.73 8 9.1625 0.55625 Cl (mg/l) 4.40 250 1000 0.000607 245.60 750 32.7461 0.01988 Sulphate (mg/l) 17.71 200 400 0.001518 182.29 200 91.1465 0.13834 − NO3 (mg/l) 0.03 45 100 0.006071 44.97 55 81.7555 0.49633

HCO3 (mg/l) 58.73 200 600 0.001012 141.27 400 35.3165 0.03573 Ca (mg/l) 14.33 75 200 0.003035 60.67 125 48.536 0.14733 Mg (mg/l) 4.34 30 100 0.006071 25.66 70 36.6571 0.22254

∑Wi = ∑Wi qi = 0.368558 34.16501

Table 5: Variation in WQI values during the study the to the anthropogenic activities, sewage influx and period. industrialisation. We suggest appropriate biological Water Quality Water quality Seasons and chemical treatment of domestic sewage and Index (WQI) status industrial effluents before discharge to river systems. Winter 92.70 Good Three groups of phytoplankton and six species Summer 94.42 Good Monsoon 161.29 Poor of diatom were recorded in the river water at 10 Post-monsoon 142.37 Poor different sites. The phytoplankton showed a positive − 2− significant relation with, DO, TKN, NO3 and SO4 . condition for that period of time. Kavitha and The presence of nutrients at different levels in the Elangovan (2010) reported the water quality index river water throughout the study period offers an in the range of 52 to 256 for groundwater at Erode excellent opportunity to characterize the quality of district, Tamilnadu, India. Similarly, Bhutiani et the water. The high value of phytoplankton diversity al. (2014) observed the WQI 56.28 to 73.05 for the at both the sites indicates good physicochemical River Ganga at Haridwar, India. conditions of the river. The WQI clearly indicates that the water quality of the Ganga River system was 4. Conclusion good during winter and summer season but in the monsoon and post-monsoon season it became worst This study was conducted to evaluate the for drinking purposes. Despite this, the water quality seasonal variation in nutrient parameters and of the River Ganga during the monsoon and post- density of phytoplankton in River Ganga system of monsoon seasons was fairly good for the growth Uttarakhand, India. The present study concluded and survival of phytoplankton. Hence it is essential that the deterioration of water quality at downstream to undertake regular monitoring and surveillance of locations compared to midstream locations is due important aquatic ecosystems.

( 9 ) 1.000 Acna. 1.000 -0.821 Cymb. 1.000 0.535 0.029 Amph. 1.000 0.572 0.982 -0.751 Gomp. Frag. 1.000 0.897 0.275 0.952 -0.953 Diat. 1.000 0.952 0.925 0.543 0.978 -0.819 Mg 1.000 0.864 -0.996 -0.975 -0.933 -0.476 -0.984 Ca 1.000 0.923 0.808 -0.933 -0.892 -0.728 -0.388 -0.843 − 4 PO 1.000 0.236 0.012 0.036 0.268 0.777 0.129 0.432 -0.177 3 1.000 0.062 0.953 0.996 0.863 HCO -0.995 -0.970 -0.900 -0.462 -0.966 3 SiO 1.000 0.916 0.388 0.876 0.912 0.992 -0.877 -0.975 -0.782 -0.073 -0.862 − 2 NO 0.811 1.000 0.505 0.786 0.653 0.428 -0.565 -0.844 -0.679 -0.892 -0.880 -0.867 − 3 NO 1.000 0.755 0.904 0.635 0.730 -0.304 -0.976 -0.813 -0.574 -0.805 -0.802 -0.140 -0.985 Chl a 1.000 0.417 0.756 0.800 0.432 0.944 0.746 0.682 -0.734 -0.762 -0.721 -0.461 -0.230 -0.618 − 4 SO 1.000 0.069 0.324 0.882 0.169 0.228 0.919 0.165 0.420 -0.516 -0.632 -0.079 -0.029 -0.091 -0.125 TKN 1.000 0.615 0.357 0.453 0.882 0.702 0.850 0.875 0.863 -0.575 -0.979 -0.547 -0.834 -0.759 -0.841 -0.455 P 1.000 0.181 0.680 0.643 0.980 0.947 0.201 0.857 0.957 0.967 -0.655 -0.917 -0.927 -0.997 -0.890 -0.219 -0.939 Cl 1.000 0.724 0.206 0.570 0.783 0.661 0.499 0.472 0.638 -0.604 -0.962 -0.571 -0.642 -0.796 -0.187 -0.928 -0.745 -0.543 1.000 0.717 0.038 0.468 0.161 0.245 0.251 0.055 FCO2 -0.325 -0.381 -0.312 -0.731 -0.216 -0.813 -0.578 -0.232 -0.134 -0.202 -0.330 BOD 0.237 0.576 0.996 0.949 0.321 1.000 0.987 0.778 0.907 0.945 0.977 -0.372 -0.688 -0.620 -0.953 -0.917 -0.989 -0.820 -0.163 -0.898 Table 6. Karl Pearson’s correlation matrix between the hydro-chemical parameters and diatom species. 6. Karl Pearson’s Table DO 1.000 0.790 0.758 0.778 0.495 0.843 0.557 0.722 0.538 0.553 0.469 0.897 -0.932 -0.010 -0.374 -0.265 -0.014 -0.483 -0.720 -0.413 -0.489 Velo. 0.112 0.740 0.221 0.385 1.000 0.261 0.752 0.410 0.102 0.458 0.223 -0.059 -0.585 -0.461 -0.227 -0.052 -0.729 -0.453 -0.399 -0.746 -0.593 -0.609 Tu 1.000 0.319 0.107 0.324 0.506 0.555 0.140 0.839 0.263 0.099 0.037 0.449 0.492 0.275 0.122 -0.930 -0.933 -0.418 -0.055 -0.288 -0.507 -0.020 -0.100 1.000 0.060 0.427 0.355 0.090 0.960 0.549 0.767 0.456 0.542 Temp -0.343 -0.996 -0.837 -0.799 -0.730 -0.573 -0.053 -0.883 -0.622 -0.713 -0.614 -0.613 -0.403 -0.925 LI 1.000 0.102 0.067 0.936 0.603 0.080 0.612 0.182 0.833 0.160 0.669 0.336 0.616 0.246 0.356 0.593 0.759 -0.901 -0.072 -0.771 -0.141 -0.270 -0.552 -0.321 -0.340 3 − − − − 3 3 2 4 4 LI Temp Tu Velo. DO BOD FCO2 Cl P TKN SO Chl a NO NO SiO HCO PO Ca Mg Diat. Frag. Gomp. Amph. Cymb. Acna.

( 10 ) References Gupta, Nidhi, Pandey, Pankaj and Jakir, Hussain, 2017, “Effect of physicochemical and biological parameters Abdar, M.R., 2013, “Physico-chemical characteristics and on the quality of river water of Narmada, Madhya phytoplankton of Morna lake, Shirala (M.S.), India,” Pradesh, India.” Water Science, 31, 11-23. Biolife, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1-7. Kamal, V., Mukherjee, S., Srivastava, D., Hazarika, N. Aggarwal, R. and Arora, S., 2012, “A Study of Water and Singh, N., 2014, “Geoenvironmental study of Quality of Kaushalya River in The Sub-mountainous alluvial aquifer in Upper Gangetic plain, a case study Shivalik Region,” International Journal of Scientific & of J P Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India,” IOSR Journal Technology Research Volume 1, Issue 8. of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Ahmad, A.B., 2014, “Evaluation of Groundwater Quality Technology, Vol. 8, No. 5, 56-67. Index for drinking purpose from some villages around Kavitha, R. and Elangovan, K., 2010, “Groundwater Darbandikhan district, Kurdistan Region-Iraq,” IOSR quality characteristics at Erode district, Tamilnadu Journal of agriculture and veterinary science 7, 34-41. India,” Int j of environ sci., 1(2): 145-150. American Public Health Association (APHA), 2012, Khanna, D. R., Bhutiani, R., Matta, G., Singh, V. “Standard methods for the examination of water and Ishaq, F., 2012a, “Seasonal variation in and wastewater, 23st Edn. American Public Health physicochemical characteristic status of River Yamuna Association, Washington,”. in Doon Valley of Uttarakhand,” Environment Ayoade, A.A., Agarwal, N.K. and Saklani, A.C., 2009, Conservation Journal, 13(1&2), 119-124. “Changes in physicochemical features and plankton of Khanna, D. R., Bhutiani, R., Matta, G., Singh, V. and two regulated high altitude rivers Garhwal Himalaya, Ishaq, F., 2012b, “Physico-chemical and microbial India.” European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. status of River Asan in Dehradun Uttarakhand,” 27, No. 1, 77-92. Environment Conservation Journal, 13(1&2), 145- Bhatnagar, A., Chopra, G. and Malhotra, P., 2013, 150. “Assessment of water quality of river Yamuna in Khanna, D. R., Bhutiani, R. and Matta, G., 2011, Yamunanagar, India with reference to planktons and “Water analysis at a glance. Published by action for macrozoobenthos,” Sch. J. Eng. Tech., Vol. 1, No. 4, sustainable, efficacious development and awareness 204-213. (ASEA), Rishikesh,” Bhutiani, R.K., Khanna, D.R. and Kulkarni, Dipali Kumar, A., 2014, “Studies on diversity and abundance of Bhaskar, 2014, “Assessment of Ganga river ecosystem phytoplankton in glacial fed mountainous Goriganga at Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India with reference to River of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India,” Int. water quality indices,” Appl Water Sci DOI 10.1007/ Res. J. Biological Sci., Vol. 3, No. 9, 65-78. s13201-014-0206-6 Kumar, V. and Chopra, A. K., 2012, “Monitoring of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), 2012, “Specification for physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics drinking water IS 10500: 2012, New Delhi, India”. of municipal wastewater at the treatment plant, Brown, R.M., McLellend, N.I., Deininger, R.A. and Haridwar City (Uttarakhand) India.” Journal of O’Connor, M.F., 1972, “A water quality index Environmental Science and Technology, 5, 109-118. crashing the psychological barrier. Indic. Environ. Kumari, M., Mudgal, L.K., Patidar, K.C. and Singh, A.K., Qual. 1, 173-182. 2014, “Comparative phytoplankton studies of two Chauhan, A. and Singh, S, 2010, “Evaluation of Ganga reservoirs Punasa and Omkareshwar of Narmada water for drinking purpose by water quality index at River, MP, India, International Journal of Advanced Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India,” Report and Opinion, Research, Vol. 2, No. 3, 773-779. 2(9), 53-61. Mathivanan, V., Vijayan, P., Sabhanayakam, S. and Das, M. and Panda, T., 2010, “Water Quality and Jeyachitra, O., 2007, “An assessment of plankton Phytoplankton Population in Sewage Fed River of population of Cauvery river with reference to Mahanadi, Orissa, India,” J Life Sci., 2(2): 81-85. pollution,” Journal of Environmental Biology, Vol. 28, Dubey, V. K., Sarkar, U. K., Kumar, R. S., Mir, J. I., No. 2, 523-526. Pandey, A. and Lakra, W. S., 2012, “Length-weight Matta, Gagan, 2014, "A study on physico-chemical relationships (LWRs) of 12 Indian freshwater fish Characteristics to assess the pollution status of river species from an un-impacted tropical river of Central Ganga in Uttarakhand." Journal of Chemical and India (River Ken),” Journal of Applied Ichthyology, Pharmaceutical Sciences. 7(3): 210-217. 28, 854-856. Matta, Gagan, Pandey, R. R. and Saini, K. K.2015a, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), 2012, “A report “Assessment of pollution on water quality and on Water: Monitoring & Assessment”. phytoplankton diversity in canal system of River

( 11 ) Ganga,” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Water, 11(2): 87-102. Vol. 4(11): 889-908. Matta, Gagan, Kumar, Avinash, Uniyal, D. P., Singh, Matta, Gagan, Srivastava, Sachin, Pandey, R. R. and Prashant, Kumar, Amit, Dhingra, Gulshan K. Kumar, Saini, K. K., 2015b, “Assessment of physicochemical Ajendra Naik, Pradeep K. and Shrivastava, Naresh characteristics of Ganga Canal water quality in Gopal, 2017, “Temporal assessment using WQI Uttarakhand,” Environ Dev Sustain, DOI 10.1007/ of River Henwal, a Tributary of River Ganga in s10668-015-9735-x Himalayan Region,” ESSENCE Int. J. for Env. Rehab. Matta, Gagan, Kumar, Ajendra, Srivastava, Sachin, Singh, And Conser. VIII (1): 187-204. Vikas and Dhingra, Gulshan K., 2015c, “Impact Randey, Navdeep Dhindsa, Puri, Sunil, Bhattacharya, assessment on water quality of Ganga Canal System in Sujata, Jamwal, Arjit and Sharma, Shikha 2016, Himalayan Region,” International Journal of Scientific “Evaluation of Water Quality Index for the & Engineering Research. 6(5): 1524-1531. Groundwater in region around Buddha Nallah, Punjab, Matta, Gagan and Kumar, Ajendra, 2015, “Monitoring India,” International Journal of Advanced Research, and Evaluation of River Ganga System in Himalayan Volume 4, Issue 4, 1411-1414. Region with Reference to Limnological Aspects,” Singh, P., 2014, “Studies on seasonal variations in World Applied Sciences Journal, 33(2): 203-212. physico-chemical parameters of the River Gomti (U.P.) Matta, Gagan, Chauhan, Amit, Kumar, Avinash and India,” International Journal of Advanced Research, Kumar, Ajendra, 2016, “Impact of industrial effluent 2(2), 82-86. on ground water and surface water quality A case Tiwari, A., Dwivedi, A.C. and Mayank, P., 2016, “Time study of Dhampur region (U.P.), India,” Journal of Scale Changes in the Water Quality of the Ganga Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Vol.9(2): 709- River, India and Estimation of Suitability for 713. Exotic and Hardy Fishes, Hydrol Current Res, 7:3, Matta, Gagan and Gjyli, Laura, 2016, “Mercury, lead and doi:10.4172/2157-7587.1000254 arsenic: impact on environment and human health WHO, 2011, “Guidelines for drinking-water quality,” 4th India,” Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical edn. World Health Organization, Geneva. Sciences, Vol.9(2): 718-725. Received: 106/09/29 Matta, Gagan and Uniyal, D. P. 2017, “Assessment Revised: 106/11/13 of Species Diversity and Impact of Pollution on Accepted:107/03/05 Limnological conditions of River Ganga.” Int. J.

( 12 )