Evaluation of Water Quality Pollution Indices for part of Bokaro District, Jharkhand

Abstract

Bokaro is a hub of mining, industries, wholesale trade and commerce. Due to rapid industrialization and mining activity many environmental problems like air pollution, subsidence, damage to the aquifer, accelerated soil erosion and destruction of soil structure are rising. Therefore, degrading both the ground water and surface water quality, on which most of the population is dependent for drinking and other domestic purpose. 20 groundwater samples were collected from different locations in Bokaro district, Jharkhand. The dug-wells samples were analysed for various physiochemical parameters and 6 heavy metals including Copper, Iron, Manganese, Lead, Cadmium and Zinc. The contamination levels of 20 locations were evaluated using Contamination Index (Cd) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI). The result shows that the major heavy metal pollutants exceeding Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits are Copper, Manganese and Iron at various locations. The study recommends proper treatment and maintenance for the affected sites.