Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ ______________________________ ______ ____ ___ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J. Recent .Sci. International Science Congress Association 204 Present I nvestigations on the few S pecific P arameters of Nirmal Lake waters at Vasai, Maharashtra, I ndia RautSonali R. 1 , Deshbhratar Shantaj M. 1 , HileVijay K. 2 , Singh Ankita J. 3 1 Zoology Dept, Bhavans H. Soma ni College, Chowpatty, Mumbai - 7, INDIA 2 Botany Dept., Bhavans H. Soma ni College, Chowpatty, Mumbai - 7, INDIA 3 Shri Chandulal Nanavati Vinay Mandir, Vile Parle, Mumbai , INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 10 th Novem ber 2012 , revised 2 8 th December 2012 , accep ted 2 nd February 201 3 Abstract Nirmal Lake is about 50 kms. from Mumbai, situated in Nirmal village near Vasai town, Thane district, Maharashtra at 19° 23´ 29´´ N and 72° 46´ 57´´ E. Nirmal Lake comprises of 2 ponds namely Vimal and Malai that are sepa rated by a tar - road for public use. The two ponds are inter - connected with each other by an internal drainage system. The lake waters are utilized for a variety of purposes including ritual ceremonies, domestic and agricultural purposes. Water serves many beneficial purposes - primarily drinking and others such as domestic, industrial, agricultural purposes, for stock and wild - life, propagation of aquatic life, aesthetic enjoyment etc. Regular monitoring of waters is of paramount importance as a relationship can be established between different parameters that can indicate the status of a habitat. The current investigations are carried out to analyze certain specific parameters required to establish and notify the quality and sustainability for varied purpose s. Our observations suggest that by adopting and implementing modern scientific - cum - technological measures, the lake can be reconstituted for a variety of purposes. Keywords : Lake, parameters, domestic . Introduction Water is the world's most precious r esource as the life of plants and animals directly depend on it. Water parameters signify the quality of water and its assessment helps to prevent any further deterioration and also ensure that it is also aesthetically adequate. Potable water requires a hi gh degree of purity and should be free from any material that will settle to form objectionable deposits, floating debris, scum, oil and other comparable matter. Safe drinking water is a human birth right as much a birthright as clean air however much of t he world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water 1 . Substances that affect odour, taste and colour may produce undesirable physiological responses to human beings, fishes and other animals and plants. Material and M ethods Collection of w ater sample: Water sample is collected randomly at regular intervals of three - four months from 4 sites of NirmalLake. The samples were collected in plastic cans of 5 liters capacity without entrapping any air bubbles. The samples were kept in refrigerator and maintained at 4° C . Recent scientific instruments and procedures with high efficiency and efficacy were utilized for all practical purposes. Analysis of Water Sample: Analysis of water were carried out for various water quality parameters such as pH, D O, BOD, COD, CO 2 , odour, nitrate - nitrite, chlorides, s ulphate, phosphates, alkalinity, acidity, total hardness etc. using standard methods 2 . All the reagents used for the analysis were of AR grade and double distilled water was used for preparation of solu tions. Results and D iscussion The mean average parameters of water of the above - mentioned sites are calculated and described as follows: pH: pH is the term used universally to express the intensity of acid or alkaline condition of a solution. Most of wat er samples are slightly alkaline due to presence of carbonates and bicarbonates. The mean average pH value of water sample analyzed is 7.2 and was found within the limits prescribed by WHO. The pH values fluctuated in between 7 – 8 . The higher range of pH in dicates higher productivity of water that may eventually lead to eutrophication 3 . pH Value for all four sites are found within limit prescribed by WHO. DO in mg/lit: DO (Dissolved oxygen) is an important parameter in water quality assessment and reflects the physical and biological processes prevailing in water. DO is of significant importance to the respiration activities of the aquatic organisms 4 . Mean average DO values of sample analyzed is 5.06 mg/lit. The DO values fluctuated in between 5 – 6 mg/lit. D O values for all four sites are found below the range of Indian standard but according to WHO site 1 value is more while site2, site3 and site 4 shows values below the limit prescribed by WHO. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 205 Hardness in mg/lit: Hardness is the property of water which pre vents the lather formation with soap and increases boiling point of water 5 . Hardness of water mainly depends up [on the amount of calcium or magnesium salts or both 6 . Mean average hardness value of sample analyzed is 90.18 mg/lit. The hardness values fluct uated in between 90 – 100 mg/lit. All 4 sites shows the values found below the range prescribed by Indian Standard while according to International Std. Site 2, site3, site4 shows the value below prescribed range. Sulphate in mg/lit: Sulphate occurs natur ally in water as a result of leaching from gypsum and other common minerals 7 . Discharge of domestic sewage tends to increase its concentration. The source of s ulphate could probably be from the mineral rocks antbropogenically added and also enters with the rain 8 . The mean average s ulphate concentration of sample analysed is 302.06 mg/lit. The s ulphate values fluctuated in between300 - 400mg/lit. All four sites shows higher range as compared to Indian and International Standard. Phosphates in mg/ml: Phosphat e is a nutrient that triggers eutrophication and is required by algae and other hydrophytic plants, animals in small quantities 9 . The phosphate may occur in water as a result of domestic sewage. Phosphate leads to eutrophication which could also lead to un pleasant odour of the water when algae die and decompose thus deterioting the quality of water 10 . The mean average phosphate concentration of sample analyzed is 267.03 mg/ml. The phosphate values fluctuated between 240 to 290 mg/ml. All four sites shows h ighest values as compared to Indian and International Standard. BOD: BOD is the measure of oxygen required by microorganisms to breakdown organic matter. The aim of BOD is to determine the amount of biochemically oxidizable carbonaceous matter 11 . The mean average BOD concentration of sample analyzed is 0.48 mg/lit/hr. The BOD values fluctuated between 0.2to 1.3mg/lit/hr. All Four sites show the low values as compared to Indian and International Standard. COD: COD is the amount of oxygen consumed during th e chemical oxidation of organic matter using strong oxidizing agent like acidified potassium dichromate 12 . The mean average COD concentration of sample analyzed is 102mg/lit. The COD values fluctuated in between 90 to 110 mg/ml. All four sites show the hig h values as compared to Indian and International Standard. CO 2 : Free CO 2 dissolved in water is the only source of carbon that can be used in photosynthetic activity of aquatic autotrophs. Decomposition of organic matter and the respiration by aquatic anim als also contribute to the free carbondioxide present in water 13 . CO 2 once fixed by autotrophs can be further utilized by organisms at other tropical levels. In absence of free CO 2 , the carbonates are converted into 2 carbonates releasing CO 2 which is uti lized by autotrophs, thus making the water alkaline. Mean average free CO 2 concentration of sample analyzed is 0.6 mg/lit. The CO 2 values fluctuated in between 0.4 to 0.8 mg/lit. All four sites values are found below the range prescribed by Indian and Inte rnational Standard. Nitrate - nitrite: Nitrite is the partially oxidized form of nitrogen found in very low concentration in natural waters. Nitrite in the water is either due to oxidation of ammonium compounds or due to reduction of nitrate as an intermedi ate stage in nitrogen cycle 14. It has no mineral source in water but occurs as an intermediate formed during de - nitrification and nitrification reactions. Presence of even a minute quantity of nitrite in water is indicative of organic pollution and prevail ing low O 2 concentration. At high concentration it may cause blue - baby disease. Mean average nitrite concentration of sample analyzed is 30 mg/lit. The nitrite values fluctuated in between 30 – 40 mg/lit. Site 1 and 2 values are found less than the value p rescribed by Indian and International Standard While Site 3 and 4 Shows absence of nitrite. Nitrate: Beneficial effect of nitrate on crop production has been reported specially in brackish water. Ground water can be contaminated by sewage and other wastes rich in nitrates 15 . Nitrate is the highest oxidized form of nitrogen and in water most important source is biological oxidation of nitrogenous organic matter of both autochthonous and all ochthonous origin. The high concentration of nitrate in water is ind icative of pollution but subsequently an important plant nutrient 16 . Mean average nitrate concentration of sample analyzed is 260 mg/lit. The nitrate values fluctuated in between 250 - 270 mg/lit. All four sites values are found more than range of Indian and International Standard. Alkalinity: The alkalinity of water is a measure of its capacity to neutralize a strong acid. Alkalinity is the factor responsible for determining the amenability of water to biological treatment 17 . The alkalinity is due to the pr esence of carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides of calcium, sodium and potassium. The alkalinity of natural water is primarily due to salts of weak acids, although weak or strong bases may also contribute. Mean average alkalinity of sample analyzed is 71 8.15 mg/lit. The alkalinity values fluctuated in between 700 – 800 mg/lit. All Four sites show the high values as compared to Indian and International Standard. Chlorides: Chlorides are found practically in all natural waters. This is the most common inorga nic anion present in water 15 . The chloride measures concentration serves as an indicator of pollution due to sewage since people are accustomed to higher chloride in water and are subjected to laxative effects 18 . Mean average chlorides of sample analyzed is 124.25 mg/lit. The chloride values fluctuated in between 150 - 160mg/lit. All four sites values are found below the range prescribed by Indian and International Standard. Acidity: Acidity is the effects of combination of compounds Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 206 and conditions in water I t is the power of water to neutralize hydroxyl ions and is expressed in terms of calcium carbonate 19 . Mean average acidity of sample analyzed is 28.12mg/lit. The acidity values fluctuated in between 20 - 40 mg/lit. Conclusi on The present day scenario of wat er, its resources and indiscriminate utilization including contamination has led to the depletion and scarcity resulting into undue stress on human welfare. Recent studies indicate that water and its resources have to be effectively conserved, reconstitute d, treated and managed by scientific measures so as to serve the biosphere. The parameters of Nirmal Sarovar indicate that by adopting and implementing technological measures, including chemical biological and mechanical etc., the lake can be reconstituted and its water can be utilized for a variety of purposes including introduction of organism for propagation. Acknowledgement We take this opportunity to thank Mr. Suraj, and Chirag for their voluntary support and assistance at all times. References 1. Ade femi S.O. , Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Groundwater from Ijan - Ekitisouth Western Nigeria , Environmental Research Journal , 6(5) , 316 - 320 ( 2012 ) 2. APHA, Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water (10th Ed.) Washington, D C.; Ame rican Public Health Association, (1985) 3. Goldman C . R. and Horne A . J ., Limnology International student edition, Mc Grow - Hill , International Bo ok Company London PP , 197 to 220 (1983) 4. Jayaraju P . B ., Prasadrao G . D . V . and Sharma S . V ., : Seasonal variation in physic chemical parameters and diversity in the flora and fauna of the river Munneru, A Tributery to river K rishna (A.P), India , Aqua Biol , 9, 19 - 22 (1994) 5. Trivedi R . K . and Goel P . K ., Chemical and biological methods for water pollution studies environme ntal publications, Karad , (1986) 6. Murhekar Gopalkrushna H. , Assessment of Physico - Chemical Status of Ground Wat er Samples in Akot City, Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, 1(4) , 117 - 124 (2011) 7. Manivaskam N. , Physicochemical examination of water sewage an d industrial effluent, 5 th Ed. Pragati Prakashan Meerut , (2005) 8. McKee J . E . and Wolf H . W ., water quality criteria publication no3 - A, California State Water Resources control board , (1976) 9. Satynarayan Shanta, Chaudhari P.R. and Dhadse Sharda, Limnological St udy on Lonar Lake: A Unique Brackish Crator Lak e in India, Proceedings of Taal, The 12th World Lake Conference , 2061 - 2066 , (2008) 10. Kolo R . J. , The assessment of Physico - Chemical parameters of Shiroro Lake and its major tribut aries, In: Eyo A.A. (Ed) proc. o f the annual conf. of Fishers Soc. o f Nigeria , 262 - 268 (1996) 11. Gupta S.M., Bhatnagar and Jain R. , Physico - Chemical characteristics and analysis of Fe and Zn in tube well water and sewage water of Bikaner City , Asian J . C hem. , 15 , 727 (2003) 12. Sangapal R.R., Ku lkarni U.D. and Nandurkar Y.M , Assesment of the physic - chemical properties to study the pollution potential of Ujjani reservoir, Solapur District, India , Research Journal of Chemical Sciences , 6( 3 ) (2011) 13. Patil J. V, Ekhande A.P, and Padate G.S. , Study of L otus Lake: Its abiotic factors their correlation with reference t o seasonal changes and altitude, Annals of Biological Research, 2(4) , 44 (2011) 14. Wetzel R.G. and W. Junk, Periphyton of freshwater ecosystems, The Hague A .(Ed) , 339 - 346 (1983) 15. Srivastav Neera, Garima Harit and Srivastava Rama, A Study of Physicochemical Characteristics of Lakes around Jaipur, India, 30(5) , 889 - 894 (2009) 16. Murhekar Gopalkrushna H. , Assessment of Physico - Chemical Status of Ground Water Samples in Akot City , Research Journal of Chemical Sciences , 1(4) , 117 - 124 (2011) 17. Manjare S.A., Vhanalakar S.A. and Muley D.V. , Analysis of Water Quality Using Physico - Chemical Parameters Tamdalge Tank in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, Research Journal of Chemical Sciences , 1 ( 2 ) , 115 - 119 (2010) 18. Sangapal R.R., Kulkarni U.D. and Nandurkar Y.M , Assesment of the physic - chemical properties to study the pollution potential of Ujjani reservoir, Solapur District, India , Research Journal of Chemical Sciences , 6 ( 3 ) (2011) 19. Tekade P.V., Mohabansi N.P. and Patil V . B ., Study of physico chemical properties of effluents from soap industry in V ardha, RASAYAN J.Chem , 4 ( 2 ) , 461 , (2011) Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 207 Table - 1 Tabulated form of Analysis of water sample from 4 different sites for Year 2011 - 12 Area pH Co 2 DO COD BOD Site1(S1) 7.2 0.6 7.168 100 1.3 Site2(S2) 7.3 0.6 5.19 98 0.2 Site3(S3) 6.9 0.8 4.05 107 0.2 Site4(S4) 7.5 0.4 3.83 103 0.2 International 7 to 8.5 6 5.5 14 5 Indian 8 to 8.5 6 8.5to9 8.5 to11 8.5 to 10 Except pH value repo rted for all parameters in mg/L Table - 2 Tabulated form of Analysis of water sample from 4 different sites Year 2011 - 12 Area Ca Hardness Sulphate Total Acidity Total Alkalinity Nitrate Chloride Site1(S1) 100.2 291.6 25 500 280 159.75 Site2(S2) 92.18 250 25 875 280 166.85 Site3(S3) 92.18 375 25 625 240 85.2 Site4(S4) 76.15 291.66 37.5 875 240 85.2 International 100 200 ------- 200 45 200 Indian 300 150 ------- 103 50 250 Table - 3 Tabulated form of Analysis of water sample from 4 different sites Year 2011 - 12 Area Phosphate Silicate Nitrite Site1(S1) 246.4 48.38 30 Site2(S2) 260.2 16.12 30 Site3(S3) 273.9 16.12 0 Site4(S4) 287.6 32.25 0 International 0.05 30 45 Indian 0.05 30 50 Figure - 1 . 1 Figure - 1.2 Graphical representation of pH Graphical representation of CO 2 Figure - 1 . 1 Graphica l representation of pH Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 208 Figure - 1.3 Figure - 1.4 Graphical representation of DO Graphical representation of COD Figure - 1.5 Figure - 2.1 Gr aphical representation of BOD Graphical representation of Hardness Figure - 2.2 Figure 2.3 Graphical representation of Sulphate Graphical representation of Total Acidity Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 209 Figure - 2.4 Fig ure - 2.5 Graphical representation of Nitrate Graphical representation of Total Alkalinity Figure - 2.6 Figure 3.1 Graphical representation of Chloride Graphical representation of Phosphate Figure - 3.2 Figure - 3.3 Graphical representation of Silicate Graphical representation of Nitrite Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 210 Figure - 3 Domestic utilization of water Figure - 4 Present Scenario of lake Figure - 1 Nirmal lake Figure - 2 Domestic Utilization Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 204 - 211 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci International Science Congress Association 211 Figure - 5 Google Image Mapping for Site Location