Impact of seasonal variation on water quality of Hindon River: physicochemical and biological analysis

Abstract

Water is the basic necessity for a living being and detritions in the quality of water led to many harmful impacts. It is important to regulate the water quality to maintain the balance in all the variation of lives. In the present study, the water samples were collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods of February 2015–January 2017 from Mohan Nagar barrage, Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh, India). The assessment of the seasonal variation of water quality and its impact on the Hindon River water was evaluated by physicochemical and biological analysis. Samples were analyzed for twelve physicochemical parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Hardness (TH), Nitrate Nitrogen, Phosphates, Sulphates, and Heavy metals (Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and biological parameters such as Total Coliform count (TCC), Fecal Coliform count (FCC) and Standard Plate count (SPC). Besides this, River Metal Pollution Index and Integrated River Metal Pollution Index were also calculated and found above permissible limits (RMPI > 1 and IMPI > 2). The trend of heavy metal load in the Hindon River water was observed to be Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd. Lower recorded values of DO and higher levels of EC, TDS, BOD, COD, TH, Nitrate Nitrogen, and Sulphates indicate high pollution levels in Hindon River water. TCC (MPN/100 ml) in water samples was found 7.4 × 104 in pre-monsoon season and 5.8 × 104 in a post-monsoon season, FCC (MPN/100 ml) were 4.5 × 104 in pre-monsoon and 3.6 × 104 in a post-monsoon season whereas SPC (CFU/ml) were 75 × 104 in pre-monsoon and 62 × 104 in post-monsoon. Analysis of water quality parameters was performed as per Standard Methods (APHA, 1998). The Correlation coefficient matrix has been obtained to validate the interrelationship between different physicochemical parameters. The results of our study show the necessity of regular monitoring of Hindon River water for the integrity of aquatic flora, fauna, and human health.