Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 1-4 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 1 Review Paper Seasonal variations in Physico-chemical Properties of Chandrabhaga River in Dhapewada, Dist. Kalmeshwar Maharashtra, India *Watkar A.M. and Barbate M.P. Department of Zoology, Bhalerao Science College, Saoner, Dist. Nagpur, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 25th November 2014, revised 1st December 2014, accepted 11th January 2015 AbstractWater is regarded as ‘polluted’ when it is changed in its quality or compositions, directly or indirectly as a result of human activities, so that it becomes less suitable for drinking, as well as domestic and other purposes. Pollution of fresh water results largely from the waste disposal. Many of our lakes are becoming increasingly murky, smelly and choked with excessive growth of algae. Most of the rivers have become darkened with sewage, chemicals and other undesirable foreign extraneous matter. Moreover, the rivers carry and deposit their pollutants in to the ocean. Hence, the oceans are also polluted by toxic wastes which cause contamination of sea-foods on a large-scale. The present study has been made to analyze the physicochemical parameters of the river Chnadrabhaga. Samples were collected season wise from sampling site for analyzing the various physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, pH, TDS, Conductivity, DO, free CO2, Sulphate, Phosphate, Nitrate, BOD, COD. The work highlights the condition of this river water in various seasons with respect to the parameters mentioned above. Keywords: Physicochemical parameters, Chandrabhaga River, Dhapewada, pollution. Introduction A majority of developing countries are in the tropical zone and have fast growing human population. Therefore there is constant increase in the demand of food, fuel, fiber, medicine and constructions. It results in the exploitation of natural resources. In many countries including India, the rivers are not only being exploited but are also used as dumping places for effluents, sewage and solid wastes. Direct or indirect contact of chemicals or waste water to the sources of drinking water cause the undesirable changes in it which becomes dangerous for all living things. Considerable investigations of physic-chemical properties of the river water are carried out in India1-6. The subject of water and its quality is of such a critical importance for modern civilization and the existence of life on earth that it cannot be left to the mercy of scientists and engineers alone. Till recently qualitative adjectives such as clear, muddy, foul etc. have been used for water. But this procedure through simple lacks in rigor and reproducibility. This problem was solved to some extent when scientist replaced these qualitative adjectives with specific physic-chemical characteristics of water and consequently, thus volumes of literature emerged on a said matter of interest. The water quality monitoring results obtained during 1995 to 2006 indicate that the organic and bacterial contamination are continued to be critical in water bodies. A water body affects the environment in its vicinity, like charging of ground water tables, conditions of climate etc. Most of the people like washer man, and fisherman, living in the surrounding area depend on this source of water for their survival. Any damages to this water source by any agency will not only make life miserable but that will also disrupt the aquatic ecosystem. It is therefore necessary to study the quality of river water, on the basis of physico-chemical parameters so as to assess its potability. Most of our water bodies, rivers and streams have become polluted and unfit for human use. In 1970 about 3500 cu kms. of water were diverted for human use, while about 5800 cu kms. of clean water were found to be polluted with varying degree of pollution . Material and Methods A general survey of the river was made for the study of various abiotic parameters. Water has unique property of dissolving and carrying suspension, a huge variety of chemicals, has the undesirable consequence that water can easily become contaminated. Water samples were collected monthly in clear glass bottles from surface (max. depth 20 cm) sites of the river. Water samples were collected in three replicates from surface, column and bottom and mean values of all three observations were taken into consideration. For BOD estimation, water samples were collected separately in dark bottles. The acquisition of meaningful data demands correct sampling and storage procedures. The preservation of samples were done by refrigeration at 4C, which is most general accepted method. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 1-4 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 2 Water and air temperature were recorded with a digital centigrade thermometer on the date of sampling. Physico-chemical parameters like water temperature, pH, DO, free Carbon-di-oxide, total alkalinity and conductivity were measured in the field. Other parameters were mostly tested within 24 hrs of collection. A total of 12 limnological parameters of water viz., temperature, turbidity, pH, DO, BOD,COD, Free CO2, total alkalinity, conductivity, TDS, Phosphates, nitrate were determined. All the parameters were analysed the standard methods 9,10,11,12 and spectrophotometer SQ 118. Result and Discussion The present study was conducted at selected sampling station of Chandrabhaga River at Dhapewada town for a period of one year (from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013). Covering three main seasons i.e. Rainy (July/August/September), Winter (Dec./Jan./Feb.) and Summer (Apr./May/June) in a year. Physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were carried out in the samples collected from the study area to study the drinking water quality and pollution level and details of the same was given in table-1 to show the seasonal fluctuations of selected parameters (table-1). To assess the quality of river, Indian drinking water quality standard IS 10500 (1990) has been adopted. The data harvested during the present study is given in table 1. The present data showed the seasonal variations of all the parameters during the study period. The water temperature is one of the important parameter in river. In the present study of Chandrabhaga river, difference in the fluctuation of water temperature was maximum 26.3C to 19.2C. The season wise studies showed the increased temperature of the river during summer is due to the common effect of intensity of solar radiations, ambient temperature. Decreased values of temperature during winter days are due to low ambient temperature13. Transparency is light penetration capacity of the water. The color of water is due to concentration of suspended organic and inorganic particles. Transparency varied from maximum 112 cm to 83 cm. The less transparency observed during rainy season and summer season. While during winter comparatively the water showed more transparency. Low transparency in summer and rainy season in the different water bodies in Jammu14, 15. Total dissolved solids include salt and variety of organic substances, which readily dissolve in water and often impart a degree of hardness. The value of total dissolved solids ranged between max 378 mg/ltr to min 285 mg/ltr. The maximum seasonal value is observed in rainy season and minimum value in winter season. Moreover the low value of total dissolved solids in summer and high in rainy season was also observed 16. The ionic status of water determines the conductivity. During summer and rainy days the enhanced values of conductivity may be due to presence of carbonates and bicarbonates in the water in more quantity due to pollutants. The exchange of inorganic ions by increased micro flora during the winter showed the moderate values of conductivity during the winter period. Hydrogen ion concentration is considered as a important ecological factor, which is a result of interaction of various substances in water and in numerous biological phenomenon. Nearly neutral pH of water is regulated by carbon dioxide and bicarbonates17. The river water showed well alkaline water through the study period. pH of river ranges between 7.5 to 8.7. Table-1 Physico-chemical properties of river Chandrabhaga for the duration January 2013- December 2013 Sr. No. Parameter Rainy Season Winter Season Summer Season Mean S.D. 1. Temperature(c) 24.8 19.2 26.3 23.4, 3.74 2. Turbidity 65 97 83 81.6, 16.04 3. Transperancy (cm) 91 112 83 95.3 14.97 4. T.D.S.(mg/l) 378 285 319 327.3, 47.05 5. Conductivity 369 274 408 350.3, 68.92 6. pH 7.7 8.7 7.5 7.9, 0.642 7. Alkalinity(mg/l) 132 163 192 162.3, 30.00 8. D. O. (mg/l) 7.2 9.1 4.9 7.06, 2.103 9. B.O.D.(mg/l) 13.2 9.9 31 18.03, 11.35 10. C.O.D. 118.1 138.9 71.6 109.5, 34.45 11. Nitrates(mg/l) 0.028 0.021 0.024 0.024, 3.51 12. Phosphates(mg/l) 0.042 0.064 0.068 0.058, 0.014 13. Sulphate 16.1 11.9 18.80 15.6, 3.47 Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 1-4 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 3 Total alkalinity in river water ranges from 132mg/l to 192mg/l. During the summer season the higher values of hardness were observed and lower values during winter season18,19. Dissolved oxygen is also one of the important factors of water quality, which influences the biota present inside the river water. The seasonal fluctuation of dissolved oxygen in water bodies20. Similar pattern of DO observed in the present study, it decreases during the hot days of summer. DO show the inverse relationship with the temperature in river water. Biological oxygen Demand is a direct measure of O2 requirement and indirect measure of biodegradable organic matter. The maximum B.O.D. was 31mg/l in summer and minimum 9.9mg/l in winter21. Chemical Oxygen Demand indicates the extent of chemical pollution mainly from industrial effluents. The C.O.D. values observed maximum in winter and minimum in rainy season22. In the present study, nitrate values ranged between 0.028 to 0.021 mg/l maximum of nitrate values were reported during rainy season and summer and minimum during winter. The high value of nitrate in rainy season, which is linked to heavy run-off of the organic matter from the catchments23. Phosphate concentration in river water ranged between 0.068mg/l to 0.042mg/l. more concentration of phosphates recorded during the summer and winter season. It may be due to deposition of ashes and bones under religious activities and decomposition of organic matter in the water sediments. Sulphate is produced by biological oxidation of sulphur content of organic matter. The sulphate value ranges between 18.80mg/l to 11.9mg/l. Minimum concentration of sulphate was in winter and maximum in summer24. Conclusion From the above study, it may conclude that except little variation, all the physico-chemical parameters were in permissible limit at the study site of the river Chandrabhaga. 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