The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES)

|| Volume || 9 || Issue || 05 || Series I || Pages || PP 22-28 || 2020 ||

ISSN (e): 2319-1813 ISSN (p): 20-24-1805

A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At

Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)
1
Thorat D. R. and 2S. S. Patil
Department of Environmental Science
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

--------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT---------------------------------------------------------------
Water is an essential component of the environment and it sustains life on the earth. Human beings depend on
water for their survival. The river water contamination with domestic and municipal sewage disposal, leaching
of fertilizers, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents is becoming a common phenomenon. A laboratory
study was conducted to monitor the physicochemical characteristics of water samples of Kham River for a
period of ten months during July 2010 to April 2012.The analysis was done for the parameters like sulphates,
phosphates, nitrates, DO, BOD, COD and TSS as per the standard methods given by APHA. The estimated
values of selected physicochemical parameters of water were compared with standard values. Present research
work shows that the water quality of Kham River is potentially deteriorated possibly due to increased artificial
activities and improper release of industrial effluents in the river. Wise planning and proper management are
needed to protect river water for sustainable utilization.
Keywords: -waterphysico-chemicalanalysis, Kham river,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 08-05-2020 Date of Acceptance: 22-05-2020
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I. INTRODUCTION:
Rivers are the most important freshwater resource in the world. In most of countries, water becomes a
commodity (Usharani et al., 2010). The rapid increase in human population, industrialization influences the
environment particularly the freshwater and results in decline in water quality (Goudie., 2000; Crivelli., 2002;
Kulshrestha and Sharma, 2006; Mustapha and Nabegu, 2011). Water is also a raw material for photosynthesis
andtherefore, is important for crop production. Obviously, an optimum agricultural productiondepends on water
and soil quality(Shamruck et al., 2001).Potable water is an animating liquid while contaminated water is actual
curse for living beings. Almost all of so the liquor freshwater is a finite and limited resource (Anderson,
2003).Water is being used by man for different uses such as drinking purpose, industrial production, mining
industry, farming activities, household use, and power generation. Rivers contribute a main role in shaping and
integrating the landscape, and molding the environmental surroundings of a basin. They are key in controlling
the global water cycle and are the most dynamic agents of transport in the hydrological cycle (Arimoro, 2008;
Otieno et al., 2017).The degradation of water superiority and quantity makes the water unavailable for use
(Shiklomanov, 1993). Natural waters are enormously differs in chemical composition and the features
monitoring the composition include physical, chemical and biological method (Bhosle, 2001). The quantity of
this usable water is very much limited on the earth planet. Though, water is continuously purified by the natural
processes like evaporation and precipitation. Contamination of water has emerged as one of the most harmful
environmental problems of recent times (Solanki, 2011). Human’s household and industrial actions produce
contaminants and which can be contaminated in nature to human and marine life. The manufacturing and the
household wastes are discharging in the water bodies before management and gradually polluting the water
resources. Because of the disposal unprocessed waste from different sources in water resource cumulatively
adding pollutants and making water resource non usable to the man. The increasing problem of degradation of
our river ecology has required the monitoring of water contamination and water quality of several rivers all
above the nation to evaluate their production, utility potential, capacity, and to strategy restorative measures
(Kumar et al., 2012).

II. MATERIAL AND METHODS

Aurangabad is the headquarters of the district as well as the division – Marathwada. It is situated on the
Kham River. The entire city is situated at the latitude of 19 o53’50” N and longitude of 75o22’46” E. Aurangabad
District is located mainly in the Godavari river basin and partly in the Tapi river basin. The city is surrounded by
the hills of the Vindhya ranges and the river Kham passes through it. The water samples were collected for
physico-chemical analysis from Kham River. Water sample are analyzed at regular intervals of one month for a

DOI:10.9790/1813-0905012228 www.theijes.com Page 22

 A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)

period of ten months for three years from July 2010 to April 2012. The samples were well mixed and stored in
1.5 liter plastic cans for the analysis work. Sample collection was usually completed during morning hours
between 6.00 am to 9.00 am every for further analysis. The Water temperature and Hydrogen ion concentration
(pH) were estimated on the spot at the time of sampling while other parameters were estimated in the laboratory.
Standard methods as prescribed APHA(1998) and Trivedy and Goel (1984)were followed for examination of
various physical and chemical parameters of water. Water transparency was measured by Secchi disc having a
diameter of 20 cm and divided into black and white quadrants. The depth at which the Secchi disc was visible
was determined. After the analysis the results were compared with the standard values given in the table No-2.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The physico-chemical parameter of any aquatic ecosystem indicates the type, composition and diversity of
biotic components of that ecosystem.

Table 1: Average values of physic-chemical parameters (mg/liter) (Year 2010, 2011 and 2012)

The values on physicochemical parameters found from the study area for the three years i.e. 2010 to 2012
presented in the table no. 1 and graphically presented in Fig. 1 to 7 respectively.

Sulphate:
High concentrations of sulphides and sulphate were also detected in a number of eutrophic dams and
lakes waters. The concentration of sulphate was upper in summer may be due to lentic atmosphere and inflow of
sewage wastewater in to the river through river in rainy season (Kemp et al., 1972). The recommended
maximum concentration is 500 mg/L. Excess sulphate levels may have a laxative effect on new users and
produce an objectionable taste.The data revealed that the average sulphate of three years was 208.56 mg/litre.
Maximum sulphate concentration 219.4 from found in summer 2012 whereas minimum 194.6 from winter 2011.

Sulphates
219.4
220 215.4 215
215 210.6
208.8
210 207
203.2 203
205
200 194.6
195
190
185
180

Fig.1: Yearly and seasonal values of Sulphates

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 A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)

Phosphate:
The furthermost of Indian lake is subjected to pollution from local sewage rises the level of phosphates and
exhibits all signs of eutrophication (Kodarkar, 1995). Low rate of phosphate in summertime indicates low
efficiency (Pondhe and Jadhav, 2000).Observed average phosphate concentration 1.01 mg/litre from three years.
Maximum phosphate concentration 1.42 from found in summer 2011 whereas minimum 0.415 from rainy 2010.

Phosphates

1.6 1.42
1.294 1.25 1.255
1.4
1.143
1.2
1 0.774 0.819
0.695
0.8
0.6 0.415
0.4
0.2
0

Fig.2: Yearly and seasonal values of Phosphates

Nitrate:
The metropolitan water bodies collect excess of nitrates through unprocessed local sewage
(Chandrasekhar and Kodarkar, 1995). Nitrate ions react with brucine in strong sulphuric acid solution to form a
yellow color, which is evaluated spectrophotometrically.In the case of inorganic nitrogen, nitrates considered as
most stable form (Nassar and Khairy, 2014). Maximum nitrate concentration recorded at impacted site. It may
due to maximum anthropogenic activities at this site. High levels of nitrate showed the effect of anthropogenic
activities and agricultural runoffs (Kannel et al., 2007). Average nitrates concentration 3.0mg/litre found from
three years. Maximum nitrates concentration 4.529 from found in rainy 2010 whereas minimum 1.129 from
winter 2011.

Nitrates

5 4.529 4.403
4.5
4 3.642
3.226
3.5 2.864 2.7035
3 2.232 2.232
2.5
2
1.5 1.129
1
0.5
0

Fig.3: Yearly and seasonal values of Nitrates

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 A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)

Dissolved Oxygen (DO):

Observed average Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration 3.40 mg/litre from three years. Maximum DO
concentration 4.36 from found in winter 2010 whereas minimum 2.26 from summer 2011.Investigation of
dissolved oxygen shows a significant role in controlling water contamination activities and water treatment
practices. Oxygen is very vital and dynamic for all the existing organisms because it is essential to keep the
metabolic manners responsible for the production of energy for reproduction and development. The solubility of
atmospheric oxygen depends on temperature. The elements, which are responsible for the status of dissolved
oxygen in water, are temperature, light and turbidity (Pawar and Mane, 2006).

Dissolved oxygen
4.36 4.21 4.34 4.28
4.5
4
3.29
3.5 2.85
3 2.68
2.37 2.26
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

Fig.4: Yearly and seasonal values of Dissolved oxygen

BOD
BOD gives a quantitative index of the degradable organic substances in water and is used as a measure
of waste strength. The low BOD value in all samples showed good sanitary condition of the water. It is found
that all the water supplied to the institute is within the permissible limit.
Recorded average Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) concentration 23.27 mg/litre from three years.
Maximum BOD concentration 31 mg/litre from found in summer 2011 whereas minimum 13.39 from rainy
2011.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

35 30.54 31
28.55
30 25.82
25 22.01 21.08 20.76
20 16.26
13.39
15
10
5
0

Fig.5: Yearly and seasonal values of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand

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 A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD):

It is the amount of oxygen necessitates tooxidize the organic and inorganic matter present in water by
means of chemical reaction (Hassan et al., 2013). Trivedy and Goel (1986) suggested, chemical oxygen demand
(COD) is the amount of oxygen consumed through oxidation of the oxidizable organic matter by a strong
oxidizing agent potassium dichromate in the presence of sulphuric acid in determination of COD.The data
revealed that the average Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) concentration 37.81 mg/litre from three years.
Maximum COD concentration 59.47 mg/litre from found in winter 2010 whereas minimum 22.41 from rainy
2010.

Chemical Oxygen Demand

59.47
60
50.24
50 42.36 44.72
40.529
40
26.16 27.01 27.36
30 22.41
20
10
0

Fig.6: Yearly and seasonal values of Chemical Oxygen Demand

TSS
Total suspended Solids may be considered as one of the crucial indicator for classification of
groundwater. The TSS in groundwater is due to the presence of various impurities carried out by the natural and
artificial forces results into the turbid nature.TSS and Conductivity may have relations in terms of the
conductivity. Conductivity expresses the ability of water to carry electric current (Shinde et al., 2011). It directly
related to turbidity and total dissolved solids. It has positive correlation with turbidity and TDS. More the value
of dissolve solids more will be ions in water (Bhatt et al., 1999).

Total Suspended Solids

1400 1221.1 1207.8 1214.7

1120.6 1078.1 1161.5
1200 983.5 999.2 1007.2
1000
800
600
400
200
0

Fig.7: Yearly and seasonal values of Total suspended solids

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 A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India)

Observed average Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration 1110.41 mg/litre from three years. Maximum
TSS concentration 1221.1 mg/litre from found in summer 2010 whereas minimum 983.5 from rainy 2010. TSS
concentration found in very high amounts which indicates adverse nature of water quality.

Table 2. Standards of various physico-chemical parameters of water

USPHStandard ISI WHOSt BIS
Sr.No Parameters
s Standards andards Standards

1 pH 6.0-8.5 6.0-9.0 - -
2 Conductivity 300 µmhocm-1 - - -
3 Turbidity <5 NTU - - -
4 TDS 500 mg/lit - - -
5 Free CO2 - - - -
6 Alkalinity - 200 mg/lit - -
Total
7 - 300 mg/lit - -
Hardness
100-500 150
8 Calcium 0.05 -
mg/lit mg/lit
30-50 150
9 Magnesium <10 mg/lit -
mg/lit mg/lit
500
10 Chlorides 250 mg/lit 600 mg/lit 600 mg/lit
mg/lit
200-400
11 Sulphates <0.3 mg/lit - 1000 mg/lit
mg/lit
0.1-1.0
12 Iron <0.3 mg/lit 0.3 mg/lit -
mg/lit
13 DO 4-6 ppm 3.0 ppm - -
14 COD 4.0 ppm 10.0ppm - -

IV. CONCLUSION:
The water quality is being affected by various human’s actions especially developmental activities are
responsible for disposal of various kinds of contaminants in it. A laboratory study was conducted to monitor the
physicochemical characteristics of water samples of Kham River for a period of ten months during July 2010 to
April 2012. The analysis was carried out to analyse the physico-chemical parameters done for the parameters
like sulphates, phosphates, nitrates, DO, BOD, COD and TSS as per the standard methods given by APHA. The
estimated values of physicochemical parameters of water were compared with standard values. The water
quality and human health are related with each other.The present research work shows that the greater
fluctuations in the values of physico-chemical parameters of Kham River water. The water of Kham River is
mostly not suitable for drinking purpose and other human use. To fulfill the demand of water it is suggested that
to go with sustainable utilization of water with some advanced treatment and preventive measures. Present study
provides essential data needed for proper management of water resources of rivers.

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Thorat D. R, et. al. "A Comprehensive Analysis of Kham River Water, At Aurangabad,
Maharashtra (India)." The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 9(5),
(2020): pp. 22-28.

DOI:10.9790/1813-0905012228 www.theijes.com Page 28