Evaluation of anthropogenic-driven water pollution effects in an urban freshwater resource using integration pollution index method

Abstract

Water pollution and environmental degradation of freshwater resources is a burning issue of our times. Global freshwater reserves are facing a severe crisis due to unforeseen problems which are majorly anthropogenic in nature. Conservation of freshwater resources is an urgent need in the current times. Drinking water specifically needs proper conservation attention as our consumption patterns have gone haywire. Regular monitoring of urban and rural water resources is thus essential. The current paper throws light on the analysis of water samples of Joda Talab, Ambikapur, a prolific city of Sarguja district in Chhattisgarh, India. The water samples were collected from the three sites during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons of 2018–2019. Ten different parameters characterizing the water quality were measured and the Integration Pollution Index (IPI) for the parameters was evaluated. The parameters measured were the turbidity (N.T.U), color (Pt/Co scale), pH, electrical conductivity (µS/cm), total alkalinity (mg/L), chloride concentration (mg/L), nitrate concentration (mg/L), magnesium concentration (mg/L), TDS (mg/L), and sulfate concentration (mg/L). The nature of the correlation between the individual parameters and population density was also analyzed. Our study throws light on the anthropogenic stress caused as a result of point and non-point sources of pollution. Wetland centric unplanned urbanization and an astronomical rise in population levels are considered to be some of the major causes behind the contamination of surface water bodies in the Indian subcontinent. Addressing such problems is necessary for the sustainable conservation of freshwater ecosystems in a time when potable surface freshwater supplies are becoming increasingly scarce. This research suggests that the decision makers as well as the local administration should be more aware of the recent pollution increase in surface water bodies and frame the policies and practices such that these water resources are protected from further environmental degradation.