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Surface Water Quality of Gorai River of Bangladesh

S. Z. K. M. Shamsad
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kazi Zahidul Islam
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Muhammad Sher Mahmud *
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

A. Hakim
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Some important characteristics of water quality of Gorai river system were evaluated for use in domestic, industrial, agriculture, recreation and aquaculture purposes. Twenty three water samples were collected both in the post monsoon period (November) and in the pre monsoon (May) period. The study revealed that most physical parameters and inorganic elements are not a serious problem for Gorai river system under decreased Ganges flow. A trend of organic and NO3 pollution in some downstream areas of higher anthropogenic activities were observed. The water of Gorai river system is fairly rich with N, P and S probably due to urban run-off and livestock activities. No heavy metal toxicity was recorded. The Ca content was high in water samples representing Ganges calcareous floodplain.

Keywords: Water Quality, Gorai River, Pre Monsoon, Post Monsoon

Location: Kushtia point of Gorai river.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

This research was aimed at making an environmental impact assessment of water quality deterioration caused by the decreased outflow of the river Ganges and evaluation of Gorai water quality for domestic, industrial, agriculture, recreation and aquaculture.

Methodology:

The study area lies in the Indian platform and Eocene Hinge zone passes through the Southeastern extremity of the study area. On the basis of a preliminary survey, twenty-three (23) water samples were collected from different locations at the Kushtia point of Gorai river. Sampling sites for water were selected as per sampling techniques which represent the whole area of the Kushtia region of Gorai river. The high-density PVC bottles used for water sampling were thoroughly cleaned by rinsing with 8M HNO3 followed by repeated washing with water sampled so as to avoid contamination. The sampling bottles were kept air tight and labeled properly for identification. Each sample was acidified in the field for Fe determination. Aeration during sampling was avoided as far as possible. Each sample was composite of 10 sub-samples to minimize errors and heterogeneity. Variable determinants such as temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) of water samples were measured in the spot using thermometer, portable EC meter, pH meter and DO meter respectively. Samples collected from the study area were carefully transported to the laboratory, preserved in a refrigerator and were immediately analyzed for finding intended physical and chemical parameters of water. Analyses of different physical and chemical parameters of Gorai river were carried out in the laboratory. The temperature of water samples were measured by the mercury thermometer (0°-50°C range) immediately after collection by dipping the thermometer in sample for about one minute [9]. Total suspended solids (TSS) were measured gravimetrically. The pH of water samples were determined directly by a pH meter taking 50ml of filtered water sample in a 100ml clean beaker. The total hardness (Ht) as CaCO3, was directly measured titrimetrically [8]. A rapid determination of total dissolved solids (TDS) of water samples were made simply by multiplying the measured electrical conductivity (EC) values (in µS/cm) by 0.64. The electrical conductivity (EC) of water samples were measured both in spot and in the laboratory directly by Electrical Conductivity meter (EC meter). Both NH4-N and NO3-N were determined by micro Kjeldahl’s distillation method. Sodium and potassium of the filtered water samples were directly determined by flame photometry at 589nm and 766nm of wavelength respectively and calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentration of water samples were measured directly by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The chloride content of the water samples were determined by Mohr volume method and bicarbonate (HCO3 - ), carbonate (CO3 2-) content of the water samples were determined volumetrically. The sulphate (SO4 2-) and phosphate (PO4 3-) content were determined by spectrophotometer.

Source of Information: Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science 2014; 3(1): 10-16

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: 10.11648/j.wros.20140301.13

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The samples were analyzed for intended water quality parameters following internationally recognized and well established analytical techniques. From the present investigation it was observed that there were no extreme variations of river water temperature and the ambient temperature. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) of the water of study area was higher in the post monsoon than in the pre monsoon period. The pH values are within the permissible limit and no significant changes were observed due to seasonal variation. Hardness fall “soft” classes and are suitable for most of the intended uses. Electrical conductivity (EC) of collected water samples is “excellent to good”. The TDS and EC values of the sampled water show moderate concentration of dissolved solids and nonsaline water. There was a trend of increasing TDS, EC and OM as the water moves downstream. It is evident that all the values of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3), carbonate (CO3) and bicarbonate (HCO3) falls under the permissible limit and there were no toxicity problem. Water samples showed no extreme variations in the concentrations of cations and anions and it was true for both post and pre monsoon periods. No toxic concentrations were observed for the heavy metals. Thus, most of the inorganic elements are not a serious problem in terms of water contamination in Gorai River. Higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded especially around the locations of higher human population and livestock activities. As Gorai River system meandering through Ganges calcareous alluvial floodplain its water has high Ca content.

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