Correlation between iron pollution and physicochemical characteristics of effluent of steel industries from Urla, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), India

Abstract

Objective: In the present study the status of iron concentrations and various physicochemical parameters of the effluents of steel and iron casting industries were assessed. Methodology: The monthly observations showed that the iron concentrations ranged between 0.72-6.89 mg L-l and physicochemical parameters were observed in the following ranges; pH 1.92-8.13, EC 0.9-8.33 mS cm-1, TDS 488.43-5444 ppm, TSS 30-436.67 mg L-1, turbidity 0.16-81.51 NTU, COD 22.4-147.2 mg L-1, DO 0.2-10.6 mg L-l and BOD 0.2-7.9 mg L-1 The observations revealed that some of the parameters were out of permissible limits of water quality standards formulated by the CBCB and BIS. Results: Further, results showed the significant positive correlation of iron concentration with EC (r = 0.594), TDS (r = 0.516), DO (r = 0.611) and significant negative correlation with pH (r = -0.818) at p<0.01. Conclusion: In conclusion the industrial effluents may affect the quality of water resources, later may be then hazardous to human health.