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Phosphate Level in Some Selected Surface and Ground Water Bodies of Rajshahi City Corporation

M. A. Habib
Department of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205

M. A. Hoque
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205

M. S. Islam
Department of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205

M. M. Islam
Department of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205

M. N. Islam
Department of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Optimum PO₄-P level in surface and ground water is essential for maintaining good health and environment. In this study, the PO₄-P level was measured for 148 different water samples collected from ponds, supply tape and tube-well of 8 different areas of Rajshahi City Corporation. All the sites of surface water bodies crossed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) criterion of 0.01-0.03 mg L^-1 PO₄–P to be free from eutrophication. Among the samples, 4.2% were within the range (0.025-0.1 mg L-1) of onset of eutrophication while 95.8% crossed the hyper-eutrophication level (> 0.10 mg L^-1). However, most of the ground (83.1%) and tap (92.7%) water were excellent in quality for drinking with respect to PO₄–P level (<1 mg L-1). Only 15.3% of ground water and 7.3% of tap water were good quality and a negligible amount (1.6%) of ground water was fair quality.

Keywords: Drinking water, Eutrophication, Ground water, Phosphate level, Surface water

Location: Rajshahi City Corporation, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

To know the PO₄-P level of surface water and ground water bodies to take necessary measure for maintaining its optimum level in Rajshahi City Corporation area.

Methodology:

Micro-processor controlled UV-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-1800, SHIMADZU, Japan) was employed for the analysis of total PO₄–P at the programmed reaction time and wavelength. NaOH, HCl, H₂SO₄, SnCl₂, ammonium molybdate, phenolphthalein indicator, glycerol and Na₂HPO₄ used in analysis were of analytical grade. Total of 148 water samples, 48 from ponds, 59 from tube-well and 41 from taps of different areas in Rajshahi City Corporation were collected. Samples were collected in 500 mL plastic bottles cleaned with 1:1 HCl aqueous solution and rinsed with distilled deionized water and were immediately analyzed. The collected samples were centrifuged to remove unwanted dust and particles and then were filtered to confirm clarification. For both surface and ground water series sampling was carried in September, 2013. In both cases the sites were so carefully chosen to ensure good representation of urbanization, agricultural and industrial activities, rock type of the area and other factors that influence the PO₄–P levels. Orthophosphate reacts with molybdate in an acidic medium to produce a phosphomolybdate complex. Stannous chloride (SnCl₂) then reduces the complex and develops an intense molybdenum blue colour. 0.5 ml of sample was added to10 mL deionized water. Then it was acidified with 0.01 M HCl using phenolphthalein as indicator. Ammonium molybdate reagent (0.4 mL) was added to the acidified sample and mixed well. Then 2 drops of 0.1 M SnCl₂ solution in glycerol was added and was allowed to react for 10 minutes for colour development. The colour intensity was measured by the spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 690 nm. The P concentration was calculated using the standard calibration curve. To construct the calibration curve, a phosphate standard (10 mg L^-1 PO₄–P) was diluted serially within the expected real sample range. They were then analyzed following the same procedure as actual samples.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(1): 129-133, 2015; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This paper describes the levels of total PO₄-P in selected surface and ground water bodies in Rajshahi City Corporation area. Almost 100% of the analyzed surface water and ground water samples exceed the maximum acceptable level of 0.10 mg/L PO₄–P for prevention of eutrophication. It follows that virtually all the water bodies are already under hyper-eutrophic state. Hence to forestall an outbreak of an uncontrollable hyper-eutrophic state in Rajshahi City Corporation area water bodies, steps have to be taken early enough to control the ascribes of phosphorus from anthropogenic sources into these water bodies. Furthermore, it has become necessary to include phosphorus in basic water quality surveys or background monitoring programmes. Treatment of waste water as well as effluent discharges from industry and factories into receiving waters and the environment of the country should be properly controlled and monitored. Our results confirm that surface water have the tenancy to have higher phosphate concentrations than ground waters as well as tap water.

Knowledge Management: Journal