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Freshwater Toxicity of the Buriganga River During Monsoon and Winter Seasons

M.W. Zaman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.J. Is1am
1Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Agricultural College, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted to assess the ionic toxicity levels of freshwater in the Buriganga river due to abundance of some chemical constituents. The chemical analyses included pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, K, Na Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, HC0₃, S0₄, N0₃ and Cl. All freshwaters were neutral to alkaline in nature (pH = 6.95-8.30). EC and SAR reflected that waters were of 'low salinity' (C₁), 'medium salinity' (C₂) and 'low alkalinity' (S₁) In nature, combinedly expressed as C₁S₁ and C₂S₁. Ionic concentrations were dominant in winter season samples as compared to monsoon season samples. As regards to TDS, all waters were graded as freshwater. SAR and SSP reflected that waters were of 'excellent' In quality. All freshwaters were free from RSC and were also rated as 'moderately hard' and 'hard' classes. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, S0₄NO₃and Cl were far below the toxic levels on both seasons.

Keywords: Freshwater toxicity, Irrigation, Buriganga river, Season

Location: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Myll)ensingh

Start Date: 01-03-1997

End Date: 30-08-1997

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

To appraise the water toxicity or quality of the river Buriganga by categorizing the freshwater samples for irrigation purpose.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in the Buriganga river in the period of March and August, 1997. Twenty water samples were collected from different non-points of the Buriganga of which first 10 during monsoon season and another 10 at the time of winter season. The samples were drawn from 10-15 em below the surface. The samples were collected in one liter plastic bottle and were sealed immediately to avoid exposure to air (APHA, 1989). The water samples were carried to the postgraduate laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh for subsequent analyses. The pH and EC were determined electrometrically (Gho.sh etal., 1983). TDS was estimated by evaporating water samples to dryness after Chopra and Kanwar (1980). Calcium and magnesium were determined by complexometric titration using Na₂-EDTA as titrant (Page et al., 1982) whereas potassium and sodium were analysed flame photometrically (Ghosh etal., 1983). Sulfate was determined turbidimetrically using barium chloride as turbidimetric agent (Tandon, 1993). Chloride was determined by argentometric titration while bicarbonate was anlyzed titrimetrically (Chopra and Kanwar, 1980). Boron and nitrate were determined colorimetrically (Ghosh et al. 1983). Zinc, iron, copper and manganese were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (APHA, 1989). Waters under test were classified as per the results generated out of chemical analyses.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 29(1): 165-171, January, 2002

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The pH values of both seasons ranged from 6.95 to 8.30 indicating neutral to alkaline in nature. These waters could safely be used for irrig.ation use where the recommended limits of pH were 6.5-8.4 (Ayers and Westcot, 1985). The EC values of both seasons varied from 190 to 737 þScm^-1 and were classified as 'low' and 'medium' salinity classes (Richards, 1968) and could safely be used for irrigation. The average value of EC was 222.80 þScm^-1 for monsoon season and was also 663.10 ÞScm^-1 for winter season. These results revealed that the electrical conductance (EC) increased almost three fold during winter season. As because water volume reduced dramatically in that season. All samples were under 'medium salinity' during winter season and were also under •low salinity' during monsoon season. The amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in both seasons ranged from 120 to 65 mgL^-1. Waters containing TDS less than 1000 mgL^-1 were considered as 'freshwater' in quality for irrigation (Freeze and Cherry, 1979)': According to this, all waters were rated as 'freshwater' for both seasons.

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