Content uploaded by Harendra Singh
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Harendra Singh on Nov 10, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Harendra Singh
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Harendra Singh on Nov 10, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
188
ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN SURFACE WATER QUALITY
OF THE RIVER KOSI, A MAJOR TRIBUTARY OF THE RIVER GANGA IN
NORTHERN INDIA
Harendra Singh & D. N. Shukla
Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad –211002, India
Corresponding Authors’ Email: auharendra_bot@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
Water quality of the River Kosi has been examined in special reference to Physico-chemical properties and seven heavy
metals namely cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and on seasonal
basis for two consecutive years 2014-15 and 2015-16. Samples were collected from five stations namely Kosi Barrage
Bhimnagar (Supaul), Supaul city (Supaul), Dhamaraghat (Khagria), Fulaut (Madhepura) and Kursela (Katihar) of Bihar.
The value of measured physico-chemical parameters were ranged as follows; Temperature (23.8-25.7 ºC), pH (7.8-8.2),
Total Dissolved Solids (164-223 mg/l), Alkalinity (87-123 mg/l), Sulphate (14.60-22.2 mg/l), phosphate (0.09-0.03mg/l),
Total hardness (108-156 mg/l),Chloride (3.60-7.66 mg/l),Nitrate (0.15 –0.33 mg/l), Dessolved Oxygen (7.2-8.46 mg/l),
Biological Oxygen Demond (2.20- 3.80mg/l) and Chemical Oxygen Demond (9.00-32.30 mg/l).The minimum
concentration of Co, Cu,Cr, Ni, Cd, Zn, Pb and was recorded as 0.005, 0.014, 0.0.001, 0.003, 0.009, 0.017 and 0.004 mg/l
respectively whereas the maximum value was recorded 0.016, 0.026, 0.006,0.018, 0.026, 0.124,and 0.023 mg/l
respectively at different sites in surface water of the river Kosi. Most of the above values were found either below or closed
the permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Public Health Services (USPHS). Water
Quality Index (WQI) was ranged between 82-89which indicates that the water quality is good. Correlation analysis among
all considered Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals shows various degree of correlation with each other in both
the years. The data generated may provide useful information to Governmental agencies to control the heavy metal
pollution of the river at these urban centres which may even be worst in future scenario. The present experimental data
indicates that the pollution level along the river Kosi is not very high but the increasing population load in the basin may
cause irreparable ecological harm in the long-term.
KEYWORDS:Kosi River water. Environmental pollution. Heavy metals contamination. Water Quality Index. Correlation matrix.
INTRODUCTION
Most of the Himalayan Rivers passes through various types of geographical areas which have their specific characteristic
features. Rivers come in contact with different types of rocks in their pathway which are weathered by physical, chemical
and biological processes. The weathered elements by the natural processes add directly in to the river system. Various
types of chemicals also added in the rivers by anthropogenic activities which contribute in changing the physical, chemical,
and biological properties of the rivers water. Besides these human influences, river water quality is also affected by other
natural activities viz. geological, hydrological and climatic factors (Bartram and Balance 1996). They carrying
approximately 2,000 km3 water globally (Oki and Kanae 2006). Rivers present a continuously renewable physical resource
used for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes, as means for waste disposal, transportation, getting food resources ,
and recreational activities (Boon et al. 1992).
Physico-chemical parameters viz. pH, BOD, DO, COD, nitrate, Phosphates etc indicates about the health of a river
body. These parameters has become of public interest in the world because not only developed countries but also
developing nations suffer the impact of pollution due to disordered economic growth associated with exploration of virgin
natural resources (Shiferaw and Bantilan 2004). In India, several studies have documented physico-chemical, biological,
and toxicological aspects of the water and sediments of Ganga River (Singh and Singh 2007, Singh et al. 2013). Water
quality is highly variable, which occur not only with regard to their spatial distribution but also over time.
Surface water quality of river is also greatly affected by various heavy metals. These are a special group of trace
elements which have been shown to create definite health hazards when taken up by aquatic biota. Under this group are
included, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and Fe. These are called heavy metals because in their metallic form, their densities are
greater than 4g/cc. The contamination of river water and biota by heavy metals is one of the major concerns especially in
many industrialized countries because of their toxicity persistence and bioaccumulation (Iken et al., 2003). Many rivers of
188
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
189
the world receive flux of sewage, domestic waste, industrial effluents and agricultural waste which contain substances
varying from simple nutrients to highly toxic chemicals (Benazir et al., 2010).
Heavy metal pollution of waste water is a significant environmental problem and has a negative impact on human
health and agriculture (Michalak, 2006). The concentration of pollutants in water samples only indicate the situation at the
time of sampling, while concentrations in the organism are the result of past as well as current pollution levels in the
environment in which the organism lives (Ravera et al. 2001). A previous study indicated that potential sources of elevated
levels of heavy metals were sewage wastes, wastes from metal processing industries and other household refuse (Lokhande
and Kelkar1999). Generally, the main natural source of heavy metals in water is weathering of minerals (Klavins et al,
2000). Industrial effluents and non-point pollution sources, as well as changes in atmospheric precipitation can lead to
local increase in heavy metals concentration water. Also, total heavy metals concentrations in aquatic ecosystem can mirror
the present pollution status of these areas (Haiyan and Stuanes, 2003).Tannery industry contributes significantly towards
exports, employment generation and occupies an important role in Indian economy. Heavy metals released from tanneries
are kept under environment pollutant category due to their toxic effects on plants, animals and human beings. They
interfere with physiological activities of plants such as photosynthesis, gaseous exchange and nutrient absorption and cause
reduction in plant growth, dry matter accumulation and yield (Sharma and Agrawal, 2005). They cause direct toxicity, both
to human and other living beings due to their presence beyond specified limits. The metals present in the soil can enter in
the aquatic system by weathering, percolation, and surface runoff from agricultural land (Pinay et al. 1992). Soil can also
be polluted by wastewater irrigation. These contaminated soils may have an impact on water quality. Therefore, protection
of the soil around the industrial region is of prime importance for the quality of soil and water. Temporal variations in
precipitation, surface runoff, interflow, groundwater flow, and pumped in and outflows have a strong effect on river
discharge and subsequently on the concentration of pollutants in river water (Vega et al. 1998).
Water quality monitoring and evaluation is the foundation of water quality management; thus, there has been an
increasing demand for monitoring water quality of many rivers by regular measurements of various water quality variables
(Bartram and Balance 1996). Assessment of seasonal changes in surface water quality is an important aspect for
evaluating temporal variations of river pollution due to natural or anthropogenic inputs of point and nonpoint sources
(Ouyang et al. 2006). The present paper describes the physico-chemical properties and heavy metals concentration in the
water of the river Gandak. It provides a scientific basis for pollution control and its monitoring. The obtained data provide
essential information for the preventive measures and/or remedial actions to be taken to overcome the risk and impact
increasing population in the river basin area.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Study Area
The river Kosi a left bank major tributeries of Ganga , is a collective name of seven rivers , Milamchi, Bhotia, Kosi, Tamba
Kosi, Likhu, Dudh Kosi , Arun and Tambur. River Arun is known as Pengehun in Tibet, originates, at an altitude of
7,000m Gosaithan range in the Himalaya, flow South-West of Sapu up to 320 km. The Kosi basin lies between 85º E to 89º
E longitudes and 25º 20′N to 29º N latitudes. The total drainage area of the Kosi River is 74,500 sq. km out of which
11,000 sq. km lie in India, and is second only to that of Brahmaputra. It is a perennial stream whose three main tributaries,
the Sun Kosi from the west, the Arun from the north, and the Tamur from the east meet at Tribeni to form the Sapt Ko si.
These three large tributeries draining Mt Averest and Kanchenjunga in east Nepal unite north of the Mahabharata range
and form the Kosi. The Arun Kosi is the biggest of the three streams. Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, the two highest
mountain peaks in the world, lie in the catchment of the Arun Kosi River. The Kosi enters the tarai of Nepal after cutting a
Garge in the Mahabharat range at Chatra. Heavy rainfall occurs in the catchment area of this river. Soon after debouching
the plain, the river becomes sluggish and begins to deposit its load. The Kosi River was earlier known as “the river of
sorrow” in ancient times because of its frequent shifting. The residents in the Kosi catchment in Bihar had to suffer a lot o f
destruction due to the unpredictable lateral movement of the river. During the last 200 years, the river has laterally moved
by 112 km from Purnea to its present position. The catchment of the Kosi River and its tributaries are affected badly by
severe floods almost every year. As the river with tributaries, Kamla Balan, Bagmati and Adhwara Group emerge from the
hills and enter into the Bihar plains, they deposit huge amounts of silt, thereby reducing the capacity of channels and
increasing the severity of flooding in the plains of the Kosi basin. Its total length is 730 km. The Kosi join Ganga Kursela
(Karagola) in Bhagalpur, Bihar. There is no any major city located along the river. It passes through many villages, towns
and small cities which adds domestic untreated effluents in to the river. The study area covers a stretch from Kosi Barrage
Bhimnagar of Supaul district (Bihar) to Kursela, Katihar (Bihar). There were five sampling stations were selected for the
study purposes of the river Kosi in Indian Territory (Figure:1). Detail of these sampling stations are given in Table: 1.
Kosi Barrage Bhimnagar. It lies between 26º 31′ 35 ̋ N latitude and 86 º 55′ 40 ̋ E longitudes has an elevation of 255ft. It
is a part of the Supaul District of Bihar. Kosi Barrage, also called Bhimnagar Barrage after the name of the place where it
was built between the years 1959 and 1963, straddles the Indo-Nepal border. It is irrigation, flood control and hydropower
generation project on the Kosi River built under a bilateral agreement between Nepal and India: the entire cost of the
project was borne by India. The catchment area of the river is 61,788 km2(23,856 sq mi) in Nepal at the Barrage site. The
type of soil is sandy. Some where it is acetic and somewhere it is basic in nature. Supaul district in Bihar covers an area of
2,420 sq km. Supaul district is part of the Koshi division. The district is bounded by Nepal in the north, Saharsa in the
south, by Araria district in the east and on the west by Madhubani district. According to the 2011 census Supaul district has
a population of 2,228,397; this gives it a ranking of 204th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
190
density of 919 inhabitants per square kilometer (2,380 /sq mi. Agriculture is the major occupation of this district and paddy
is the main crop.
Dhamaraghat. It lies between 25º 37′ 08 ̋ N latitude and 86º 36′ 39 ̋ E longitudes has an elevation of 132 ft. It is a part of
Khagaria. Khagaria district occupies an area of 1,486 square kilometres (574 sq mi). The district is surrounded by seven
rivers namely Ganges, Kamla Balan, Koshi, Budhi Gandak, Kareh, Kali Koshi and Bagmati. These rivers cause floods
every year which causes great loss of life and property including livestock. According to the 2011 census Khagaria district
has a population of 1,657,599. This gives it a ranking of 300th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population
density of 1,115 inhabitants per square kilometer (2,890 /sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011
was 29.46 %.
Phulaut. It lies between 25º 30′ 21 ̋ N latitude and 86º 57′ 03 ̋ E longitudes has an elevation 116 ft. It is a part of
Madhepura district of Bihar. Madhepura district occupies an area of 1,788 square kilometres (690 sq mi). Madhepura
district is surrounded by Araria and Supaul district in the north, Khagaria and Bhagalpur district in the south, Purnia
district in the east and Saharsa district in the West. It is situated in the Plains of River Kosi and located in the Northeas tern
part of Bihar. According to the 2011 census Madhepura district has a population of 1, 994, 618. This gives it a ranking of
232nd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,116 inhabitants per square kilometre
(2,890 /sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 30.65 %.
Kursela. It lies between 25º 27′ 02 ̋ N latitude and 87º 14′ 46 ̋ E longitudes has an elevation 111 ft. Kursela is a Village
in Katihar district of Bihar state, India Kursela is 4 miles (6 km) north of the Bateshwar hills. At this place River Kosi
merges into the River Ganga. Katihar district is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar and Katihar town is the
administrative headquarter. Katihar district occupies an area of 3,057 square kilometres (1,180 sq mi). The following rivers
Mahananda, Ganges, Koshi, Righa passing through the district Katihar district is situated in the plains of North Eastern
part of Bihar State, surrounded by Purnea district (Bihar) in the North and the West, Bhagalpur district (Bihar)
and Sahebganj district (Jharkhand) in the south and Malda district and Uttar Dinajpur district (West Bengal) in the east of
this district. The district is a part of Purnia Division. According to the 2011 Census Katihar district has a population of
3,068,149. This gives it a ranking of 117th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,004
inhabitants per square kilometre (2,600 /sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 28.23%.
Kursela is a variant of Kuru-Shila, which translates as the hilly part of the region which once belonged to the king Kuru,
the descendents of whom were called Kauravas and, in the Mahabharata, waged a war with the Pandavas, their cousins.
Water sampling procedures
The periodic samplings were carried out in monsoon, winter and summer seasons (with three replicates) in two consecutive
years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. The site of sampling is selected randomly by considering the population, location and
source of pollutions. There were five sampling stations were selected for the study proposes. River water samples were
collected at depths varying from 15 to 30 cm with the help of a water sampler which consisted of a glass bottle and a cord
tied to a lid. The whole assembly was lowered into water to the desired depths and the cord of the lid was pulled and
released only when displaced air bubble ceased to come to the surface. The whole assembly was withdrawn and the water
was then transferred into pre-cleaned polypropylene bottles. All the containers which used in sampling purposes were
thoroughly washed and rinsed with 10% HNO₃ following by double distilled water. The bottles were filled leaving no air
space, and then the bottle was sealed to prevent any leakage. Each container was clearly marked with the name an d address
of the sampling station, sample description and date of sampling. All the procedures were adopted according to the
standard methods recommended by APHA, (1985).
Analysis of Physico-chemical Parameters of Water Samples
The water samples were analyzed for various parameters in the laboratory of Botany Department, University of Allahabad.
The standard methods recommended by APHA, AWWA, WPCF (1985) were adopted for determination of various
physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Alkalinity, and
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were measured using water analysis kit model ITS-701. All parameters multiprobes of the
kit were calibrated together using the same standards and procedures. Electrical Conductivity was calibrated against 0.005,
0.05 and 0.5 M standard Potassium Chloride solutions. pH was calibrated with standard buffer solution at pH - 4 and pH -
9.2. Dissolved Oxygen was calibrated against Zero solution (Sodium Sulphite) and an air sat urated beaker of water
checked with a Winkler’s titration. Temperature is factory set and cannot be adjusted, but was checked against a standard
Mercury thermometer for consistency between multi-probes. Dissolved Oxygen was also measured by modified Winkler’s
method at the site. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was measured by filtering 50 ml of water sample through Whatmann 41
filter paper. Total Hardness was analysed by multiprobe kit model 191 E. For the determination of Hardness, 50 ml of
sample was buffered at pH 8 -10 (NH4Cl and NH4OH) and titrated against standard EDTA using Erichrome Black T as
indicator. Chlorine was measured by Chlorine Meter Model: ITS-1001. Phosphate, Nitrate, Sulphate and COD was
determined by Direct COD multiprobe measuring system. BOD was also determined by Direct BOD measuring system.
Preparation of water sample for the analysis of heavy metals
For determination of heavy metals in water, water samples (50 ml) were digested with 10 ml of conc. HNO₃ at 80⁰ C
until the solution became transparent (APHA, 1987). The solution was filtered through Whatman No. 42 filter paper and
diluted to 50 ml with double distilled water. These samples were used to determine heavy metal concentrations by Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer model 800, USA).
For evaluating precision and accuracy of the analytical procedure used in the above experiment, duplicates and analytical
blanks were prepared and analyzed using the same procedures and reagents. The accuracy for each element Care was taken
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
191
during sampling, handling and analysis to prevent the samples coming in to the contact with dust and metals. The obtained
data have in general an error of less than ten percent when compared to reference sample data.
Heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Atomic Absorption spectroscopy is an
absorption methods where radiation absorbed by metal ions, excited atoms in the vapors state. In atomic absorption
spectroscopy, the sample is first converted at a selected wavelength, which is characteristic of each individual element. The
same experimental condition was also applied for the determination of the reference samples of known composition
Statistical and computational analysis
Mean
For a data set, the mean is the sum of the observations divided by the number of observations. It identifies the central
location of the data, sometimes referred to in English as the average. The mean is calculated by stat software Statistica 8,
using, and the following formula.
Σ(X) M = N
Where Σ = Sum of
X = Individual data points
N = Sample size (number of data points)
Standard Deviation (SD)
The standard deviation is the most common measure of variability, measuring the spread of the data set and the
relationship of the mean to the rest of the data. If the data points are close to the mean, indicating that the responses are
fairly uniform, then the standard deviation will be small. Conversely, if many data points are far from the mean, indicating
that there is a wide variance in the responses, then the standard deviation will be large. If all the data values are equal, then
the standard deviation will be zero. The standard deviation is calculated by stat software Statistica 8, using the following
formula.
Σ(X-M) 2 S 2 = n - 1
Where Σ = Sum of
X = Individual score
M = Mean of all scores
N = Sample size (number of scores)
Water Quality Index (WQI)
A commonly-used water quality index (WQI) was developed by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) in 1970 (Brown
and others, 1970). The NSF WQI was developed to provide a standardized method for comparing the water quality of
various bodies of water. It is a 100 point scale that summarizes results from a total of nine different physico-chemical
measurements completed by the data taken from the analysis of undertaken rivers water. These nine factors are as follows
1. Temperature 6. Biochemical Oxygen
2. pH 7. Total Phosphates
3. Dissolved Oxygen 8. Nitrates
4. Turbidity 9. Total Suspended Solids
5. Fecal Coliform
Ranges of water quality index are classified into five grades, which are as follows; 0-25 (very bad), 25-50 (bad), 50-70
(medium), 70-90 (good) and 90-100 (Excellent).
In these nine parameters some were judged more important than others, so a weighted mean is used to combine the values.
According to the book Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) .When test
results from fewer than all nine measurements are available, we preserve the relative weights for each factor and scale the
total so that the range remains 0 to 100. The WQI ranges have been defined as (Brown and others, 1970). The 100 point
index can be divided into several ranges corresponding to the general descriptive terms shown in the table below.
Correlation study
The word correlation is made of Co-(meaning “together”), and Relation. When two sets of data are strongly linked together
we say they have a high correlation. Correlation is Positive when the values increase together; and correlation is negative
when one value decreases as the other increases. Correlation can have a value:
1 is a perfect positive correlation
0 is no correlation (the values don't seem linked at all)
-1 is a perfect negative correlation.
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
192
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Assessment of Physico-chemical properties of the River Gandak at different sites
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important ecological features in an aquatic environment for its effects on the Chemistry and
biological reactions in the organisms. It changes season to season for the river kosi. In the river Kosi the average
temperature ranged from a minimum of 23.8° C at Kosi Barrage Bhimnagar in the year 2014-15to the maximum of 25.7° C
Kursela in the year 2014-15(Table 3). The average temperature was recorded 23.83 º C ± 5.21 ºC in the year 2014-15and
25. 4 ºC ± 5.07 ºC in 2015-16 at Supaul City. At Dhamaraghat the average temperature was recorded 25.4 º C ± 4.95 ºC in
the year 2014-15and 25.16 ºC±6.95 ºC in 2015-16. The average temperature was recorded 25.06 ± 5.81 ºC in the year
2014-15and 25.7 ±4.33 ºC in 2015-16 at Fulaut. At Kursela the average temperature was recorded 25.73 ± 4.90 ºC in the
year 2014-15and 24.4 ±7.32 ºC in 2015-16. The average temperatures of water of the River Kosi at different sites are
presented in the table 2. A comparative value of temperature at each site is presented in Figure: 2. In all sampling stations
the minimum temperature was recorded in winter season whereas the maximum in summer season for all the undertaken
rivers. The similar observations were also reported by Sharma et al (2011) in Narmada River and by Narayana et al, (2008)
and Anita et al., (2005) while studying the hydrological parameters of Narmada river at Hoshangabad recorded water
temperature between 27.6 ºC to 38.4 ºC.
pH
pH is a measure of the intensity of acidity or alkalinity and measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in water. River
Kosi shows little fluctuation in the pH values. At Kosi Barrage Bhimhagar the average pH was recorded 7.7 ± 0.10 in the
year 2014-15and 8.0 ± 0.173 in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average pH was recorded 8.17 ± 0.20 in the year 2014-15and
8.06 ± 0.11 in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average pH was recorded 8.06 ± 0.36 in the year 2014-15and 8.0 ±
0.25 in 2015-16At Fulaut (Bihar) the average pH was recorded 8.1 ± 0.26 in the year 2014-15and 8.00 ± 0.86 in 2015-16.
At Kursela (Bihar) the average pH was recorded 7.87 ± 0.31 in the year 2014-15and 8.2 ± 0.36 in 2015-16. The average pH
of water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. A comparative value of pH at each site is presented
in Figure: 2.
In the river Kosi the maximum average pH value was recorded as 8.2 at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum
value was noted at Kosi barraige, Bhimnagar, of Supaul district of Bihar in 2014-15. The range of desirable pH of water
prescribed for drinking purpose by ISI and WHO is 6.5 to 8.5 (Table 3). In present study the pH values of water of the
undertaken rivers was found within the permissible limit setup by WHO. The fluctuations in optimum pH ranges may lead
to an increase or decrease in the toxicity of poisons in water bodies (Ali 1991). According to Medera et al. (1982), the pH
of most natural water ranges from 6.5 - 8.5 while deviation from the neutral pH 7.0 as a result of the
CO2/bicarbonate/carbonate equilibrium. pH virtually showed very little variation on monthly basis. Gupta and Gupta
(2006) stated that intense photosynthetic activities of phytoplankton will reduce the free carbon dioxide content resulting in
increased pH values. The high values may be due to attributed sewage discharged by surrounding city and agricultural
fields. pH value is very important for plankton growth (Chisty, 2002). According to (Umavathi et Al., 2007) pH is ranged 5
to 8.5 is best for plankton growth. pH range showed that the water of all the sampling sites of all the undertaken rivers was
alkaline in nature and high in summer. High values of pH during summer might be low water levels and concentration of
nutrients in water. The decrease pH values were due to dilution caused by the rainwater during monsoon. Similar trend was
also reported (Narayana et al 2008., Reddy et al 2009, Pawar and Pulle 2005) observed the pH in range of 7.0 to 7.85 and
stated that the pH of water is important for the biotic Communities because most of the plant and animal species can
survive in narrow range of pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline condition.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
A large number of salts are found dissolved in natural waters, the common ones are carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides,
sulphates, phosphates, and nitrates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, and manganese, etc. TDS values were
varies from river to river and also place to place. At Kosi Barraige Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of TDS were
recorded 164 ± 49.66 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 146 ± 11.53 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of TDS
were recorded 181 ± 20.59 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 172 ± 32.31 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaragha (Bihar) the average
value of TDS were recorded 172 ± 54.78 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 284 ± 35.34 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the
average value of TDS were recorded 208 ± 71.06 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 20 ± 77.94 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela
(Bihar) the average value of TDS were recorded 216 ± 70.22 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 223 ± 57.60 mg/l in 2015-16.
TDS ranged from a minimum of 164 mg/l at Kosi barraige, Bhimnagar, in Supaul district of Bihar in the year 2014-15to a
maximum of 223 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16. A comparative value of temperature at each site is presented in
Figure: 2. The average TDS of water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2.
TDS analysis has great implications in the control of biological and physical waste water treatment processes. Waters
can be classified based on the concentration of TDS as, desirable for drinking (up to 500mg/L), permissible for drinking
(up to 1,000mg/L), useful for irrigation (up to 2,000mg/L), not useful for drinking and irrigation (above 3,000mg/L). In
present study TDS values were found far below the permissible level of drinking water standards of WHO (1000 mg/l)
Table 3. This result is also supporting the studies of (Agarwal and Rozgar 2010). Nduka et al (2008) also recorded total
solids between 100 to 220 mg/l in Niger delta of Nigeria.
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Chemically pure water does not conduct electricity. Any rise in the Electrical Conductivity of water indicates pollution. At
Kosi Barraige Bhimnager the average value of Electrical Conductance (EC) was recorded 257 ± 48.81 mg/l in the year
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
193
2014-15and 270 ± 39.50 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul the average value of Electrical Conductance (EC) was recorded 228 ±
45.92 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 195 ± 34.64 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat the average value of Electrical
Conductance (EC) was recorded 190 ± 32.8 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 228 ± 49.56 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar)
the average value of Electrical Conductance (EC) was recorded 181 ± 50.14 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 200 ± 38.27 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Electrical Conductance (EC) was recorded 259 ± 44.44 mg/l in the
year 2014-15and 248 ± 66.08 mg/l in 2015-16. The average values of EC in water of the River Kosi at different sites are
presented in the table 2. A comparative value of ECat each site is presented in Figure: 2. In the river Kosi EC ranged from
a minimum of 195 µm hos/cm at Supaul in the year 2014-15to a maximum of 270 µm hos/cm at Kosi barraige ,Bhimnagar
in the year 2015-16. In present study values of EC were found below the permissible level of drinking water standards of
USPHS (300 mg/l) at most of the sites except Table 3.
Water becomes a conductor of electrical current when substances are dissolved in it and the conductivity is proportional to
the amount of dissolved substances (Michael, 1984). In the present observation about the relationship between conductivity
and TDS is very much similar to the findings of Michael (1984). In present study conductivity decreased during monsoon
followed by progressive increase in winter and summer was also recorded by Detenbeck (1996) and Chandrasekhar
(2003). Conductivity was maximum in the months of May-June when the water level in the all under taken rivers was
minimum. The electrical conductivity during summer was maximum at most of the sites for all the undertaken rivers and
lowest during monsoon. Lowest electrical conductivity during monsoon season may attribute to the increase level of water
in the rivers due to rainfall, whereas increase in electrical conductivity may be attributed to decrease in the water level due
to evaporation and increase in organic matters such as plant debris enter the riverine. Similar observation was made by
Sulabha and Prakasam (2006).
Alkalinity
At Kosi Barraige Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of alkalinity was recorded 552 ± 38.20 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
130 ± 36.23 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of alkalinity was recorded 92 ± 15.22 mg/l in the year 2014-
15and 87 ± 15.51 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat(Bihar) the average value of alkalinity was recorded 86.73± 32.90 mg/l
in the year 2014-15and 91.67 ± 40.52 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of alkalinity was recorded 107±
34.08 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 115 ± 46.52 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of alkalinity was
recorded 113 ± 25.14 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 123 ± 17.55 mg/l in 2015-16. The average values of alkalanity in water
of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. A comparative value of alkalinity at each site is presented in
Figure: 2
In the present investigation, the alkalinities were maximum during summer and minimum during monsoon. This may be
attributed to increase the rate of organic decomposition during which CO is liberated, which reacts with water to form
HCO, thereby increasing the total alkalinity in summer. The increased alkalinity during summer and winter was due to the
concentration of nutrients in water. The decrease was due to dilution caused by the rainwater during monsoon. Adebisi
(1980) showed alkalinity to be inversely correlated with the water level. Similarly, it was observed that the higher values
of total alkalinity with high bicarbonate contents in the rivers. This was further supported by the observations made by
Brion (1973), Wetzel; (1983), that the rivers are highly productive from the viewpoint of alkalinity of its water. Dilution
plays an important factor in lessening the alkalinity values (Chakraborty et al. 1959). The total alkalinity remains always
higher in eutrophic water (Osborne and Totme, 1994; Craft, 1997).
Total Hardness (TH)
Total Hardness (TH) of the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons.
At Bhimnagar the average value of total hardness was recorded 113 ± 57.57 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 135 ± 21.7 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of total hardness was recorded 108 ± 22.54 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 118
± 14.16 mg/l in 2015-16. In present study Total Hardness (TH) of the water of the river Kosi shows different level of
variability at different sites. At Dhamaraghat the average value of total hardness was recorded 115 ± 20.50 mg/l in the year
2014-15and 122 ± 48.58 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut the average value of total hardness was recorded 120 ± 41.91 mg/l in
the year 2014-15and 118 ± 49.22 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of total hardness was recorded 142
± 50.54 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 156 ± 41.76 mg/l in 2015-16. The average values of TH in water of the River Kosi at
different sites are presented in the table 2. A comparative value of TH at each site is presented in Figure: 2. TH noted as
164 mg/l at Maker in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as135 mg/l at Sangrampur (2015-16). In
the river Kosi TH was maximum 156 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as 108
mg/l at Supaul in the year 2014-15.
In the present study total hardness ranged from 426 to 108 mg/l in different seasons. These high values may be
due to the addition of calcium and magnesium salts. The increase in hardness can be attributed to the decrease in water
volume and increase in the rate of evaporation at high temperature. The maximum values of CaCO3 hardness were
recorded during summer at most of the sites which had a decreasing trend in winter and reaching lowest values in
monsoon. During winter, decomposition of organic matter became reduced and CO2 is not liberated into the aquatic
medium. Generally the dilution of hardness decreases with the advent of rains (Chakraborty et al. 1959; Sreenivasan
1964a; Mulholland et al. 1997) and increases with the decrease in water levels (Subho Rao and Govind, 1964; D’Angelo et
al. 1994). Hujare (2008) reported total hardness was high during summer than rainy season and winter season. However
Pawar and Pulley (2005) studied on Pethwadaj Dam, Nanded, Maharashtra, the maximum values were recorded during
monsoon while minimum during winter. Salve and Hiware (2003) reported that the total hardness was higher in summer.
In the present investigation, the alkalinities were lower in monsoon, moderate in winter and higher in summer.
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
194
Sulphates (SO4- -)
In present study SO4-- of the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different
seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Sulphates was recorded 19.07 ± 4.82 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
17.53 ± 4.40 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Sulphates was recorded 15.97 ± 4.50 mg/l in the year
2014-15and 14.6 ± 4.81 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of Sulphates was recorded 14.60 ±
7.71 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 17 ± 6.15 mg/l in 2015-16. Sulphate (SO4--) concentration of the water of the river Kosi
shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Sulphates
was recorded 15.93 ± 3.49 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 16.67 ± 4.14 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value
of Sulphates was recorded 22.5 ± 4.95 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 15.96 ± 7.35 mg/l in 2015-16. The average
concentration of SO4in water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. In the river Kosi the sulphate
concentration was recorded between 14.6-22.5 mg/l, where minimum value was noted at Supaul in the year 2015-16 and
the maximum average value was recorded at Kursela in the year 2014-15. A comparative value of SO4-- at each site is
presented in Figure: 2.
In present investigation the maximum value was recorded in summer whereas the minimum value was noted in rainy
season at most of the sites of all the undertaken rivers. Maximum Sulphate concentration recorded during summer due to
low level of water discharge and addition of large amount of domestic effluents in to rivers. However, the low Sulphate
concentration was noted during winter may be due to biodegradation in low water level. Similar results have been also
reported by Reddy et al. 2009, Telkhade et al. 2008 and Shanthi et al. 2006.
Phosphate (PO4--)
Phosphate (PO4--) concentration of the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in
different seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Phosphate was recorded 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/l in the year 2014-
15and 0.033 ± 0.015 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Phosphate was recorded 0.036 ± 0.011 mg/l in
the year 2014-15and 0.06 ± 0.015 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of Phosphate was recorded
0.058 ± 0.024 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.080 ± 0.025 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of
Phosphate was recorded 0.030 ± 0.008 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.030 ± 0.016 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the
average value of Phosphate was recorded 0.09 ± 0.04 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.10 ± 0.05 mg/l in 2015-16. The
average concentrations of PO4in water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. In the river Kosi the
level of PO4 was maximum 0.09 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2014-15whereas the minimum value was recorded as 0.03mg/l
at Kosi Barraige, Bhimnagar in the year 2015-16. A comparative value of PO4-- at each site is presented in Figure: 2.
Among the major nutrients, the importance of phosphates in water bodies is well documented by Chandrasekhar et al.
(2003). Niswander and Mitsch (1995 pointed out that the addition of phosphate brings about an eutrophication mechanism
by increasing the bacterial content, increase in oxygen demand, increase in production of growth factors for the algae and
lastly the increase in growth of algae. The increased phosphate levels also indicate high degree of pollution. Willem et al.
(1972) found that total phosphate was always higher at the polluted points in comparison to non-polluted points of the
water bodies. This finding supports the present observations as phosphate content in the river Ganga and its undertaken
tributaries and sewage sites (major cities) have more phosphate than non-sewage sites (rural areas). High amount of
phosphate was recorded during summer season may be due to the concentration of nutrients in water and possible release
of phosphate from sediments. The reverse pattern of phosphate and nitrate concentrations like the present observation in
some shallow eutrophic water bodies has been observed by Vaithiyanathan and Richardson (1997). This finding is
agreement with that of Udaipur lakes (Chisty 2002). Increment of phosphorus is often associated with increase of ammonia
in summer. This may be due to sediment release.
Chloride (Cl--)
Chloride (Cl--) concentration of the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different
seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of chloride was recorded 4.33 ± 1.07 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 5.6 ±
2.62 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of chloride was recorded 3.6 ± 1.25 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
4.9 ± 1.56 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of chloride was recorded 4.9 ± 1.04 mg/l in the year
2014-15and 4.73 ± 1.68 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut city the average value of chloride was recorded 4.7 ± 1.22 mg/l in the
year 2014-15and 4.33 ± 1.96 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of chloride was recorded 5.8 ± 1.45
mg/l in the year 2014-15and 7.76 ± 3.91 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentration of Cl in water of the River Kosi at
different sites are presented in the table 2. A comparative value of Cl-- at each site is presented in Figure: 2. In the river
Kosi chloride was maximum 7.66 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as 3.6
mg/l at Supaul in the year 2014-15.
In the present investigation, the Chloride values were and maximum during summer and minimum during winter. It
can be concluded that there was no definite pattern of Chloride fluctuation, lower value during winter could be attributed to
dilution effect and renewal of water mass alter summer stagnation and also may be due to high sedimentation rate on
relatively stableand total environmental condition. Maximum value during summer could be due to higher concentration of
Chloride resulted. Similar results have been reported (Narayana et al. 2008; Reddy et al. 2009; Chouhan and Sharma,
2007;) that the Chloride maximum value recorded in May while minimum recorded in August. The increase in chloride
concentration in Lakes, Rivers and dams is due to discharge of municipal and industrial wastes Kant and Raina (1990).
Nitrate (NO3--)
Nitrate (NO3--) concentration in water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different
seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of nitrate was recorded 0.166 ± 0.07 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.15 ±
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
195
0.036 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of nitrate was recorded 0.35 ± 0.03 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.28 ± 0.06 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of nitrate was recorded 0.283 ± 0.04 mg/l in the
year 2014-15and 0.18 ± 0.041 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of nitrate was recorded 0.24 ± 0.041
mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.0.25 ± 0.065 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of nitrate was recorded
0.27 ± 0.083 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.25 ± 0.045 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of NO3in water of the
River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. A comparative value of NO3-- at each site is presented in Figure: 2.
In the river Kosi NO3 was maximum 0.35 mg/l at Supaul in the year 2014-15whereas the minimum value was recorded as
0.15 mg/l at Kosi Barrage in the year 2015-16. Nitrate concentration was found extremely below the permissible limit (10
mg/l) set up by USPHS, (table 3) which indicates about water quality of the undertaken rivers less rich in nitrates. Within
an aquatic system nitrate is primarily of animal origin. Ganapati (1957) pointed out that the tropical waters; particularly
unpolluted ones are deficient in nitrates. In the river Ganga and its tributaries nitrates are relatively much lower than the
limit. Nitrate value was higher in summer and lower in rainy season. Hutchinson (1967); Munawar (1970) observed similar
trend and suggested that in summer, denitrifying bacteria degrade organic matters in to nitrates. In winter, however, the
activities of these bacteria goes down (Kaur et al. 1996), resulting in lower the organic matter degradation in winter.
During the study Nitrate fluctuated between 0.15 to 0.98 mg/l for all undertaken rivers in present study at most of the sites.
These values are much lower than the chisty (2002) and Rani et al (2004). High concentration of nitrate is drinking
water is toxic (Umavathi et al. 2007).
Dissolve Oxygen (DO)
Dissolve Oxygen in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons. At
Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of DO was recorded 7.83 ± 1.00 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 8.67 ± 0.85 mg/l in
2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of DO was recorded 8.27 ± 1.00 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 8.03 ± 1.15 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of DO was recorded 8.03 ± 0.50 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 8.46 ±
1.75 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of DO was recorded 8.06 ± 1.55 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 7.1
± 1.83 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of DO was recorded 7.6 ± 2.72 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
7.2 ± 3.11 mg/l in 2015-16. Average values of DO in water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2.
In the river Kosi DO was maximum 8.46 mg/l at Dhamaraghat in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was
recorded as 7.2 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2014-15. DO for the river Kosi at different places are displayed in the Fig: 2.
DO is very important parameter of water quality and an index of physical and biological process occurring in water. In
the present study the value for DO ranged from 4.26 –11.36 mg/l for all the undertaken rivers. The maximum value was
recorded in winter and minimum value was measured in the monsoon. The similar trends were also found by Bhattaraj et
al. (2008). When temperature increases gas solubility of water decreases and microbial activity increases; both these
changes can reduce DO in water. Sahu et al. (2000) reported that dissolved oxygen is generally reduced during pre -
monsoon due to increase respiration of biota, decomposition of organic matter, and raise in temperature, oxygen
demanding waste and organic reduction such as hydrogen sulphate, ammonia, nitrite and ferrous iron. The increase of
oxygen during winter months as in the present observation could be attributed to low temperature. Decomposition acts as
the key role on oxygen content in nutrient rich tropical wetland where organic pollution is high and has very little oxygen
dissolved in them. However, oxygen holding capacity of water reduces at higher temperature (Mustafa and Ahmed, 1982).
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
BOD in the water of the River Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons. At Bhimnagar
(Bihar) the average value of BOD was recorded 2.2 ± 0.52 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 2.2 ± 0.36 mg/l in 2015-16. At
Supaul city the average value of BOD was recorded 2.37 ± 0.513 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 2.33 ± 0.25 mg/l in 2015-16.
At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of BOD was recorded 2.33 ± 0.55 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 2.8 ± 0.5 mg/l in
2015-16. In present investigation concentration of BOD in the water of the River Kosi shows different level of variability
at different sites in different seasons. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of BOD was recorded 2.56 ± 0.42 mg/l in the
year 2014-15and 2.43 ± 0.305 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of BOD was recorded 3.8 ± 0.70 mg/l
in the year 2014-15and 3.03 ± 1.07 mg/l in 2015-16The average values of BOD in water of the River Kosi at different sites
are presented in the table 2. BOD for the river Kosi at different places are displayed in the Fig: 2.
In the river Kosi the level of BOD was maximum 3.80 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum
value was recorded as 2.20 mg/l at Kosi Barraige Bhimnagar in the year 2014-15. BOD is the amount of oxygen required
by the living organisms engaged in the utilization and ultimate destruction or stabilization of organic water (Hawkes 1993).
It is very important indicator of the pollution status of a water body. Many workers like Robert (1969) showed higher BOD
during summer due to low level at river discharge. In the present investigation the values of BOD clearly showed higher
concentration during summer and comparatively low during winter and monsoon respectively Bhattarai et al. (2008). In pre
monsoon season maximum and minimum amount was found in monsoon season. It has reported that decrease of BOD
during post-monsoon may be due to decrease in temperature which results in decrease in microbial activity and algal
bloom. The present study supports the above findings. The present observation agrees with the findings of (Pathak and
Shastree 1993; Maya (2003).
Chemical oxygen Demand (COD)
COD in the water of the River Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons. At Bhimnagar
(Bihar) the average value of COD was recorded 9 ± 5.53 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 9.87 ± 9.04 mg/l in 2015-16. At
Supaul city the average value of COD was recorded 12.37 ± 3.208 mg/l in the year 2014-15and18.7 ± 9.04 mg/l in 2015-
16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average value of COD was recorded 11.5 ± 6.97 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 15.83 ± 6.60
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
196
mg/l in 2015-16. Concentration of COD in the water of the River Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites
in different seasons. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of COD was recorded 19.16 ± 2.07 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
23.63 ± 14 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of COD was recorded 29.27 ± 6.37 mg/l in the year
2014-15and 32.03 ± 9.66 mg/l in 2015-16. The average values of COD in water of the River Kosi at different sites are
presented in the table 2.
In the river Kosi the level of COD was maximum 32.3 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum
value was recorded as 9.00 mg/l at Kosi Barraige Bhimnagar in the year 2010-11, which was very much higher than
maximum allowed limit of 4.0mg/L according to USPH Standard (Table 3). COD is a measure of pollution in aquatic
ecosystems. It estimates carbonaceous factor of organic matter (Agarwal and Rozgar 2010). In present investigation the
higher degree of pollution was recorded during summer season. And the highest COD also was noted during summer may
be due to high concentration of organic pollutants and low discharge of to water. Chemical oxygen demand was found to
be very low in monsoon season and very high pre monsoon. The COD values convey the quantity of oxidisable organic
matter in the water. The increase of COD during summer in all the undertaken rivers are correlated with the decomposition
of suspended organic matter which releases the soluble organic matter in the water. This type of relationship is also
observed by Varghese et al. (1992); Osborne and Totme (1994); Pejaver et al. (2008). The decrease in COD during the
rainy season is due to dilution of dissolved organic matter. The high value of COD in the rivers during summer season is
due to low water level and high decomposition rates.
Assessment of Water Quality Index (WQI)
Ranges of water quality index are classified into five grades, which are as follows; 0-25 (very bad), 25-50 (bad), 50-70
(medium), 70-90 (good) and 90-100 (Excellent). Water quality index of the river Kosi ranged from 82 to 89 at all the sites
(Table 4). Minium WQI was noted at Kursela and maximum at upstream site as Kosi Barrage. At Supaul it was 85, At
Dhamaraghat it was 86 and at Phulaut WQI was 83. It was observed that WQI was found in good grade at all the sites of
the river Kosi (Figure 4).
Heavy metal concentration in the water of the River Kosi
Cobalt (Co++)
It was found that the concentration of Co in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different si tes
in different seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Co was recorded 0.0 ± 0.002 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.007 ± 0.002 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Co was recorded 0.014 ± 0.009 mg/l in the year 2014-
15and 0.015 ± 0.006 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Co was recorded 0.012 ±
0.005 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.014 ± 0.008 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Co was recorded
0.016 ± 0.011 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.026 ± 0.010 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Co was
recorded 0.013 ± 0.004 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.010 ± 0.005 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Co in
water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. In the river Kosi the concentration of Co was
maximum 0.016 mg/l at Phulaut in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as 0.005 mg/l at Kosi
Barraige Bhimnagar in the year 2014-15. Co for the river Kosi at different places are displayed in the Fig: 3.
Copper (Cu++)
Concentration of Cu in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons.
At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Cu was recorded 0.020 ± 0.005 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.017 ± 0.006 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Cu was recorded 0.018 ± 0.009 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.020 ± 0.006
mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Cu was recorded 0.020 ± 0.004 mg/lin the year
2014-15and 0.024 ± 0.007 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Cu was recorded 0.019 ± 0.007 mg/l in
the year 2014-15and 0.026 ± 0.011 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Cu was recorded 0.018 ±
0.009 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.016 ± 0.014 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Cu in water of the River
Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. In the river Kosi the concentration of Cu was maximum 0.026 mg/l at
Phulaut in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as 0.014 mg/l at Supaul city in the year 2015-16.
The overall concentration was ranged between 0.002 to0.040 mg/l. for all the undertaken rivers. Cu for the river Kosi at
different places are displayed in the Fig: 2.
In present investigation it was noted that the observed values were below the permissible limit of 0.05mg/L set by
WHO (Table 3) and 1.0mg/L as per the USPH standards. It is important here to note that Cu is highly toxic to most fishes,
invertebrates and aquatic plants than any other heavy metal except mercury. It reduces growth and rate of reproduction in
plants and animals. The chronic level of Cu is 0.02–0.2mg/L (Moore and Ramamoorthy, 1984). Aquatic plants absorb
three times more Cu than plants on dry lands (IISc, 2001). Excessive Cu content can cause damage to roots, by attacking
the cell membrane and destroying the normal membrane structure; inhibited root growth and formation of numerous short,
brownish secondary roots. Cu becomes toxic for organisms when the rate of absorption is greater than the rate of excretion,
and as Cu is readily accumulated by plants and animals, it is very important to minimize its level in the waterway.
Chromium (Cr++)
In present study concentration of Cr in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in
different seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Cr was recorded 0.002 ± 0.001 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.004 ± 0.001 mg/l in 2015-16. The Cr was not detected in monsoon and winter season whereas in summer season it was
noted as 0.003 mg/l in the year 2010-11. At Supaul city the average value of Cu was recorded 0.002 ± 0.00 mg/l in the year
2014-15and 0.001 ± 0.00 mg/l in 2015-16. Cr was not recorded in the monsoon and winter season. At Dhamaraghat
(Bihar) the average concentration of Cr was recorded 0.001 ± 0.002 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.003 ± 0.002 mg/l in
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
197
2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Cr was recorded 0.004 ± 0.001 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.005 ± 0.002
mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Cr was recorded 0.005 ± 0.002 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.006 ± 0.002 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Cr in water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented
in the table 2. In the river Kosi the concentration of Cr was maximum 0.006 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2015-16 whereas
the minimum value was recorded as 0.001 mg/l at Supual in the year 2015-16. Cr for the river Kosi at different places are
displayed in the Fig: 2.
In the present investigation the average Cr content in water samples was found below, the permissible limit of
0.05mg/L set by WHO (1995). It was observed that chromium is a transition metal that is discharged into the environment
through the disposal of wastes from industries like leather tanning and metallurgical, leading to contamination of river
water and sediment both. Chromium is the main tanning agent and most hazardous chemical used in chrome tanning
process. The excessive use of this chemical leads to higher concentration in the effluent (Bhalli and Khan, 2006).
Chromium levels in the target area were found in very low amount in the undertaken rivers. It is the major chemical
present in the effluent, which, when released into water percolates the layers of sediments. Cr compounds are used as
pigments, mordents and dyes in the textiles and as the tanning agent in the leather. The sources of emission of Cr in the
surface waters are from municipal wastes, laundry chemicals, paints, leather, road run off due to tire wear, corrosion of
bushings, brake wires and radiators, etc. The high level of Cr in waste water effluent indicates excessive pollution from
textile industries and tanneries, Pachpande, and Ingle (2004). Acute toxicity of Cr to invertebrates is highly variable,
depending upon species (Jain (2002). For invertebrates and fishes, its toxicity is not much acute. Cr is generally more toxic
at higher temperatures and its compounds are known to cause cancer in humans, Ember, 1975. The toxic effect of Cr on
plants indicate that the roots remain small and the leaves narrow, exhibit reddish brown discoloration with small necrotic
blotches IISc (2001).
Nickel (Ni++)
It was found that the concentration of Ni in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites
in different seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Ni was recorded 0.01 ± 0.006 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.012 ± 0.007 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Ni was recorded 0.005 ± 0.002 mg/l in the year 2014-
15and 0.003 ± 0.001 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Ni was recorded 0.003 ± 0.005
mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.018 ± 0.009 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Ni was recorded 0.016
± 0.008 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.017 ± 0.011 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Ni was
recorded 0.008 ± 0.002 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.012 ± 0.004 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Co in
water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. Ni for the river Kosi at different places are displayed
in the Fig: 2.
In the river Kosi the concentration of Ni was maximum 0.018 mg/l at Dhamaraghat in the year 2015-16 whereas
the minimum value was recorded as 0.003 mg/l at Supual in the year 2015-16. The average Ni content in the water samples
of the river Ganga and its three major tributaries were found between 0.003 mg/l to 0.030 mg/l which was below the
maximum limit of 0.1mg/L set by WHO ( Table 3). Short-term exposure to Ni on human being is not known to cause any
health problems, but long-term exposure can cause decreased body weight, heart, liver damage and skin irritation Tiwana
et al (2005). Ni can accumulate in aquatic life, but its magnification along in food chain is not confirmed.
Cadmium (Cd++)
Concentration of Cd in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seasons.
At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Cd was recorded 0.014 ± 0.009 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.016 ± 0.013 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Cd was recorded 0.018 ± 0.009 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.020 ± 0.009
mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Cd was recorded 0.020 ± 0.001 mg/lin the year
2014-15and 0.024 ± 0.011 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Cd was recorded 0.026 ± 0.012 mg/l in
the year 2014-15and 0.025 ± 0.008 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Cd was recorded 0.012 ±
0.007 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.009 ± 0.004 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Cd in water of the River
Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. Cd for the river Kosi at different places are displayed in the Fig: 2. In
the river Kosi the concentration of Cd was maximum 0.026 mg/l at Phulaut in the year 2014-15whereas the minimum
value was recorded as 0.009 mg/l at Kursela in the year 2014-15.
The values obtained for the river Ganga, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi at patna, Dohrighat, Sonepur bridge,and Phulaut
respectively was found to be higher than the permissible limit of 0.01mg/L set by WHO and also according to USPH
standards ( Table 3). Cd is contributed to the surface waters through paints, pigments, glass enamel, deterioration of the
galvanized pipes etc. The wear of studded tires has been identified as a source of Cd deposited on road surfaces. The
average Cd content in water samples was found to vary from river to river and place to place. Higher values of Cd in waste
water effluent samples suggest the high level of pollution due to dyes paints and pigments manufacturing industries
around. There are a few recorded instances of Cd poisoning in human beings following consumption of contaminated
fishes. It is less toxic to plants than Cu, similar in toxicity to Pb and Cr. It is equally toxic to invertebrates and fishes (Jain
2002).
Zinc (Zn++)
In present study concentration of Zn in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in
different seasons. At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Zn was recorded 0.024 ± 0.012 mg/l in the year 2014-15and
0.017 ± 0.010 mg/l in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Zn was recorded 0.083 ± 0.043 mg/l in the year 2014-
15and 0.092 ± 0.035 mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Zn was recorded 0.090 ±
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
198
0.053 mg/lin the year 2014-15and 0.1 ± 0.035 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Zn was recorded
0.089 ± 0.062 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.0124 ± 0.015 mg/l in 2015-16. The minimum Zn 0.017 mg/l was recorded in
the monsoon season. Moderately increase in Zn was noted in winter which was 0.0121 mg/l. At Kursela (Bihar) the
average value of Zn was recorded 0.021 ± 0.004 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.020 ± 0.007 mg/l in 2015-16. The average
concentrations of Zn in water of the River Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. Zn for the river Kosi at
different places are displayed in the Fig: 2.
In the river Kosi the concentration of Zn was maximum 0.124 mg/l at Phulaut in the year 2015-16 whereas the
minimum value was recorded as 0.004 mg/l at Supual in the year 2014-15. Level of Zn was also found below the
permissible limit of 5.5mg/L as per USPH standard (Table 3). Excessive concentration of Zn may result in necrosis,
chlorosis and inhibited growth of plants. The overall concentration of Zinc as obtained from the analysis of water samples
collected from different undertaken rivers varied from 0.004 mg/l to 0.096 mg/l. Since the desired level of Zinc is 5.0 mg/l
(ISI,1982), none of the samples has exceeded the limiting value. However result indicates leaching of Zinc from the waste
dumping site confirming the presence of Zinc in the waste dumped.
Lead (Pb++)
Concentration of Pb in the water of the river Kosi shows different level of variability at different sites in different seaso ns.
At Bhimnagar (Bihar) the average value of Pb was recorded 0.009 ± 0.003 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.011 ± 0.002 mg/l
in 2015-16. At Supaul city the average value of Pb was recorded 0.004 ± 0.003 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.006 ± 0.003
mg/l in 2015-16. At Dhamaraghat (Bihar) the average concentration of Pb was recorded 0.006 ± 0.010 mg/lin the year
2014-15and 0.015 ± 0.012 mg/l in 2015-16. At Fulaut (Bihar) the average value of Pb was recorded 0.018 ± 0.008 mg/l in
the year 2014-15and 0.023 ± 0.011 mg/l in 2015-16. At Kursela (Bihar) the average value of Pb was recorded 0.018 ±
0.008 mg/l in the year 2014-15and 0.020 ± 0.007 mg/l in 2015-16. The average concentrations of Pb in water of the River
Kosi at different sites are presented in the table 2. In the river Kosi the concentration of Pb was maximum 0.023 mg/l at
Phulaut in the year 2015-16 whereas the minimum value was recorded as 0.004 mg/l at Supual in the year 2014-15.
It is one of the oldest metals known to man and is discharged in the surface water through paints, solders, pipes,
building material, gasoline etc. Lead is a well known metal toxicant and it is gradually being phased out of the materials
that human beings regularly use. Combustion of oil and gasoline account for >50% of all anthropogenic emissions, and
thus form a major component of the global cycle of lead. Atmospheric fallout is usually the most important source of lead
in the fresh waters (Jain (2002). The average concentration of Pb in water samples collected from the river Kosi was found
below the permissible limit for lead in drinking water is <0.05mg/L according to the USPH drinking water standards.
Acute toxicity generally appears in aquatic plants at concentration of 0.1–5.0mg/L. In plants, it initially results in enhanced
growth, but from a concentration of 5 ppm onwards, this is counteracted by severe growth retardation, discoloration and
morphological abnormalities. There is an adverse influence on photosynthesis, respiration and other metabolic processes.
Acute toxicity of Pb in invertebrates is reported at concentration of 0.1–10mg/l, (Jain 2002). Higher levels pose eventual
threat to fisheries resources.
Correlation study among the water quality parameters of the River Kosi
As there is not much variation in the concentration of the water quality parameters in the analyzed samples of the ri ver
kosi, we have taken the seasonal data and calculated the correlation coefficient and Kosi Correlation coefficient (r)
between any two parameters, x & y was computed for undertaken parameters such as water temperature, pH, total
dissolved solids, total hardness, sulphates, chloride, phosphate, nitrate, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen
demand, COD and heavy metals in water of the river Kosi. The values are significant at P<0.05 and P<0.01
respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix of the River Kosi for the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 separately
presented in Table: 5 and Table 6. Correlation analysis among all considered Physico-chemical parameters and heavy
metals in water shows different degrees of correlation with each other in both the years.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of experimental findings it was found that the river water in summer, monsoon and winter seasons show
different level of fluctuations in Physico-chemical and heavy metals concentration from place to place. The seasonal
changes in the water quality of the rivers were imparted mainly due to catchment characteristics and seasonal effects.
Level of the most of the physico-chemical parameters were recorded below or close to the standard values . WQI indicated
that water of the river Kosi in the study area is in good quality. The concentrations of heavy metals like Co, Cu, Ni, Zn
and Pb in water of the river Kosi were recorded below the permissible limit at most of the selected sites, whereas the level
of Cd in water exceeded the permissible limit at some places. This indicate the natural input of the Cd in to the river. The
large stretch of the river passes through the agricultural field which may add some inorganic elements in to the river. The
present experimental data indicates that the pollution level along the river Kosi is not very high but the increasing
population load in the basin may cause irreparable ecological harm in the long-term well masked by short term economic
prosperity. It also suggests a need of consistent, internationally recognized data driven strategy to assess the quality of
waste water effluent and generation of international standards for evaluation of contamination levels.
REFERENCES
Adebisi, A. A. (1980). The physico-chemical hydrology of a tropical seasonal upper Ogun river. Hydrobiol. 79: 157-165.
Anita, G.S.V.A. Chandrasekar and M.S. Kodarkarm, (2005). Limnological studies on Mir Alam Lake, Hyderabad. Poll.
Res., (3): 681-687.
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
199
Ali, J. (1991). An Assessment of the Water Quality of Ogunpa River Ibadan, Nigeria”, M.Sc. Dissertation, University of
Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Agarwal, A. K., and Rozgar, G. R. (2010). Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Study of Tehri Dam Reservoir, Garhwal
Himalaya, India”, Journal of American Science.
APHA, (1998).Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 18th ed., Washington, USA.
APHA, (2005). Standard methods for the examination of water and waste waters, 21st Edn., Washington, DC. USA.
APHA-AWWA-WPCF (1985).Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water. American Public Health
Association, Wasington, DC.
Bartram, J., & Balance, R. (1996). Water quality monitoring—a practical guide to the design and implementation of
freshwater uality studies and monitoring programmes. Geneva: UNEP and WHO.
Benazir, J.F., Suganthi, R. Rajvel, D. Pooja, M.P. and Mathithamilan, B. (2010). Bioremediation of chromium in tannery
effluent by microbial consorial, African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(21): 3140-3143.
Bhattarai, K.R. Shrestha, B. B. and Lekhak, H. D. (2008). Water Quality of Sundarijal Reservoir and Its Feeding Streams
In Kathmandu, Scientific World, Vol. 6 No. 6, 99- 106.
Boon, J., Calow, P., & Petts, G. E. (1992). River conservation and management. Chichester: Wiley.
Brown, R.M., McCleeland,N.I., Deininger, R.A. and To Zer, R.G. (1970). Water Quality Index (WQI) do we care ? Water
& sewage work, 117,339-343.
Brion Moss, (1973). The influence of environmental factors of the distribution of fresh water algae on experimental study.
The role of pH, Carbon dioxide and bicarbonate system, J. of Ecol., 6(1): 157.
Bhali J.A. and Khan MK (2006). Pollution level analysis in tannery effluent collected from three different sites of Punjab.
Pak. J. Bio. Sc . 9(3) :418-421.
Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc Environmental Hand-Book –Documentation on Monitoring and Evaluating Envi-
ronmental Impacts, Compendium of Environmental Standards, Vol. 3, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,(2001).
[Online].vailable:http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/HC270799/HDL/ENV/START.HTM.
Chakraborty, R. D., Roy, P., Singh, S. B., (1959). A quantitative study of the plankton and the physicochemical conditions
of the River Jumna at Allahabad in 1954-55., Indian J.Fish., 6(1), 186-203
Chandrasekhar, J.S., Lenin,B.K., and Somasekher,R.K. (2003). Impact of urbanization on Bellandur lake, Bangalore - a
case study. J. Environ. Bio. 24(3): 223-227.
Chisty. N. (2002). Studies on Biodiversity of Freshwater Zooplankton in Relation to Toxicity of selected Heavy Metals.
Ph. D. Thesis submitted to M.L Sukhadia Univeristy Udaipur.
Craft, C.B. (1997). Dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus retention during wetland ecosystem succession. Wetland. Ecol.
Manage. 4(3): 177-187.
Chouhan, C.S., and Sharma K.C., (2007). Limno-Biotic of a religious Lake Budha Pushkar near Ajmer, Rajasthan, NSL:
227-230.
D’ Angelo, E.M., and K.R. Reddy (1994). Diagenesis of organic matter in a wetland receiving hypereutrophic lake water:
I. Distribution of dissolved nutrients in the soil and water column. J. Environ. Qual. 23(5): 928-936.
Detenbeck, N.E., Taylor,D.L.,LimaA. and Hagley C. (1996). Temporal and spatial variability in water quality of wetlands
in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN metropolitan area: Implications for monitoring strategies and designs. Environ. Monit.
Assess. 40(1): 11- 40.
Ganapathy, S. V. (1956). Hydrobiological investigations of the Hope reservoir and of the Thambaraparani river at
Papanasom, Thirunalveli district Madras State. Ind. Geogr. Jour., Vol. 31, pp. 1 - 20.
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
200
Gupta, S.K. andGupta, R.C. (2006). General and Applied Ichthyology (Fish and Fisheries). S. Chand and Company Ltd.,
Ram Nagar, New Delhi, pp. 1130.
Haiyan, W. and Stuane, A. O. (2003). Heavy metal pollution in air-water-soil-plant system of Zhuzhou City, Human
Province, China. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 147: 79 –107.
Hawkes, H.A. (1993), The ecology of waste water treatment. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Hujare, M.S., (2008) Seasonal variation of physico-chemical parameters in the perennial tank of Talsande,
Maharashtra, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring, 18(3), pp 233-242.
Hutchinson, G.E., (1975). A Treatise on Limnology. Vol. III. Limnological Botany. J. Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 660
pp.
Hutchinson, G.E. (1967). A treatise on Limnology. II. Introduction to lake Biology and Limnoplankton. John Wiley and
Sons. Inc., NewYork, USA.
ICMR [Indian Council for Medical Research]. (1975). Manual of standards of quality for drinking water supplies. Special
report.
Iken, A. Egiebro, N. O. and Nyavor, K. (2003). Trace elements in water, fish and sediment from Tuskegee Lake, South
Eastern, USA. Air, Water and Soil Pollution. 149: 51 –75.
ISI, [Indian Standards Institution]. (1982). Indian standard tolerance, limits for inland surface water subject to pollution.
Second revision, IS: 2296.
Jain, C.K. (2002). A Hydro-chemical study of mountainous watershed: The Ganga India, Water Research 36: 1262-1272.
Kant, S. and A.K. Raina, (1990). Limnological studies of two ponds in Jammu II Physiological, parameters. J. Env. Biol.,
11(2): 137.
Klavins, M., Briede, A., Rodinov, V., Kokorite, I., Parele, E., Klavina, I., (2000). Heavy metals in Rivers of Latvia. The
Science of the Total Environment, 262:175-183.
Lokhande, R. S., Singare, P. U., and Pimple, D. S., (2011), Quantification Study of Toxic Heavy Metals Pollutants in
Sediment Samples Collected from Kasardi River Flowing along the Taloja Industrial Area of Mumbai, India., The New
York Science Journa l 4(9), 66-71.
Maya, S. (2003). Pollution assessment of selected temple tanks of Kerala. Natur. Env. Poll. Techno. 2(3): 289-294.
Medera V, Allen HE, Minear RC (1982). Non metallic constituents; Examination of Water Pollution Control. A reference
handbook Physical, Chem. Radiol. Exam. 2: 169-357.
Michael, P. (1984). Ecological methods for field and laboratory investigations. Tata-McGraw Hill Pub. Com. Ltd., New
Delhi. 404 p.
Michalak, A. (2006). Phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in plants growing under heavy metal stress,
Pollution Journal of Environmental Studies, 15: 523-530.
Moore and Ramamoorthy, 1984 Heavy metals in natural waters, springer verlog, New York USA,268 p.
Mulholland, P.., Best,G.R. Coutant,C.C.,Hornberger, G.M. and Wetzel R.G. (1997). Effect of climate changeon freshwater
ecosystems of the South-eastern United States and the Gulf Coast of Maxico. 1994. Freshwat. Ecosys. Climat. Chang.
11(8): 949-970.
Munawar, M. (1970). Limnological studies on freshwater ponds of Hyderabad, India. II. The biocenose distribution of
unicellular and colonial phytoplankton in polluted and unpolluted environments. Hydrobiol. 36(1): 105-128.
Mustafa, S., Ahmad, T., Naum, A., Shah, K.H. and Wassum, M. (2010). Kinetics of chromium ion removal from tannery
wastes using Amberliti IRA 400c and its hybrids, Water, Air and Soil pollution, 210(1-4): 43-50.
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
201
Nduka, J. K., O. E. Orisakwe and L. O. Ezenweke (2008). Some physico-chemical parameters of potable water supply in
Warri, Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Scientific Research and Essay, 3 (11), pp. 547-551.
Narayana, J.,Puttaiah E.T. and Basavaraja,D. (2008). Water quality characteristics of anjanapura reservoir near Shikaripur,
District Shimoga, Karnataka J. Aqua. Biol., 23(1): 59-63.
Niswander, S., and W. J. Mitsch. 1995. Functional analysis of a two-year-old created in-stream wetland: hydrology,
phosphorus retention, and vegetation survival and growth. Wetlands 15:212-225.
Oki, T., & Kanae, S. (2006). Global hydrological cycles and world water resources. Science, 313(5790), 1068–1072.
Ouyang, Y., Nkedi-Kizza, P., Wu, Q. T., Shinde, D., & Huang, C. H. (2006). Assessment of seasonal variations in surface
water quality. Water Research, 40(20), 3800–3810.
Osborne, P.L. and . Totme R.G (1994). Long-term impacts of sewage effluent disposal on a tropical wetland. In Wetlands
sys. in water poll. control (Eds. H.J. Bavor and D.S. Mitchell). 29(4): 111-117.
Pachpande, B. G., and Ingle, S. T., (2004), Recovery of the chromium by chemical precipitation from tannery effluent,
Orient J. Chem., 20(1), 117-123
Pawar, S.K. and Pulle, J.S. (2005). Studies on physico-chemical parameters in Pethwadaj dam, Nanded District in
Maharashtra, India. J. Aqua. Biol., 20(2): 123-128.
Pathak, S. and Shastree N.K. (1993). Physicochemical status of the lentic hydrosphere of Rukmini and Visar Sarovar of
Gaya, Bihar. Environ. Ecol. 11(1): 57-66.
Pejaver Madhuri and Minakshi Gurav, (2008). Seasonal variations of zooplanktons in Nirmalya (religious refuges)
enclosure of Kalawa Lake, Thane, Maharashtra. J. Aqua. Biol., 23(1): 22-25.
Pinay, G., Fabre,A., Vervier, P.,&Gazelle, F. (1992). Control of C, N, P distribution in soils of riparian forests. Landscape
Ecology, 6, 121–132.
Rani, R., Gupta, B.K. and Srivastava, K.B.L., (2004). Studies on water quality assessment in Satna city (M.P):
Seasonal parametric variations, Nature environment and pollution technology, 3(4), pp 563-565.
Ravera, O. (2001). Monitoring of the aquatic environment by species accumulator of pollutant: A review. J. Limnol 60(1):
63-78.
Reddy Vasumathi, K., Laxmi Prasad K., SwamyM. and Reddy, R. (2009). Physico-chemical parameters of Pakhal Lake of
Warangal district andhra Pradesh, India. J. Aqua.
Robert, D.H. (1969).Water Pollution, Bioscience, Vol. 19, 975-976.
Sahu, B.K., R.J. Rao, S.K. Behara and R.K. Pandit. (2000). Effect of pollutions on the dissolved oxygen concentration pf
river Ganga at Kanpur. In: Pollution and Biomonitoring of Indian Rivers (Ed: R.K. Trivedy) ABD Publication, Jaipur,
India, 168-170.
Salve, B.S. and C.J. Hiware, (2006). Studies on water quality of Wanparakalpa Reservoir, Nagapur, near Parli Vaijnath,
dist. Beed, Marathwada region. J. Aqua. Biol., 21(2): 113-117.
Shanthi, V., S. Muthumeena, A. Jeyaseeli and V.J. Florence Borgia, (2006). Physico-chemical status of, Varaga River at
Theni district, Tamil Nadu. J. Aqua Biol., 21(2): 123-127,
Sharma, Rajesh Kumar and Madhulika Agarwal: (2005)Biological effects of heavy metals : An overview. J. Environ. Biol.,
26, 301-313
Sharma, S.,V. Rakesh, D. Savita and J. Praveen (2011). Evaluation of water quality of Narmada river with reference to
physico-chemical parameters at Hoshangabad city, MP, India. Res. J. Chem. Sci. 1(3) pp 40-48
Shiferaw, B., & Bantilan, S. (2004). Agriculture, rural poverty and natural resource management in less favoured
environments: Revisiting challenges and conceptual issues. Journal of Food & Agricultural & Environmental, 2(1), 328–
339.
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
202
Sreenivasan, A. (1964a). Limnological studies and fish yield in three upland lakes of Madras State, India. Limnol.
Oceanogr. 9: 564-575.
Singh H, Yadav S, Singh BK, Dubey B, Tripathi K, Srivastava V, Shukla DN (2013) ‘ Assessment of Geochemical
Environment from Study of River Sediments in the Middle Stretch of River Ganga at Ghazipur, Buxar and Ballia area’
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 83(3):371–384 DOI 10.1007/s40011-012-0134-x.
Singh, M., & Singh, A. K. (2007). Bibliography of environmental studies in natural characteristics and anthropogenic
influences on the Ganga river. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 129, 421–432.
Sulabha, V. and Prakasam.V.R. (2006). Limnological features of Thirumullavaram temple pond of Kollam municipality,
Kerala. Journal of Environmental Biology, 27(2): 449-451.
Subho Rao, D. and B.V. Govind (1964).Hydrology of Tungabhadra Reservoir. Ind. J. Fish. 11: 321- 344.
Telkhade, P.M., Dahegaonkar, N.R. Zade S.B. and Lonkar,A.N. (2008). Quantitative analysis of Phytoplanktons and
zooplanktons of Masala Lake, Masala; Dist. Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Envirn. Cosr. J., 9(1 and 2): 37-40.
Tiwana, N.S., Jerath, N., Saxena, S.K., Nangia, P., and Parwana, H.K. (2005). State of Environment, Punjab, pp: 315.
Umavathi, S., Longakumar, K and Subhashini., (2007) Studies on the nutrient content of Sulur pond in
Coimbator, Tamil Nadu, Journal of ecology and environmental conservation, 13(5), pp 501-504.
USPHS, (1997). Toxicological profile for zinc and lead on CD-ROM. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
U.S. Public Health Service
Vaithiyanathan, P. and C.J. Richardson (1997). Nutrient profiles in the Everglades: Examination along the eutrophication
gradient. Sci. Tol. Environ. 205(1): 81-95.
Vega, M., Pardo, R., Barrado, E., & Deban, L. (1998). Assessment of seasonal and polluting effects on the quality of river
water by exploratory data analysis. Water Research, 32, 3581–3592.
Varghese, M., A. Chauhan and L.P. Naik (1992). Hydrobiological studies of domestically polluted tropical pond. I.
Physico-chemical characteristics. Poll. Res. 11(2): 95-100.
Welch, P. S.(1952). Limnological methods. New York:McGraw-Hill.
Wetzel, R.G., (1983). Limnology, Second Edition, edited by Wetzel L.G., Michigan State University, CRS College
Publishing Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, pp: 784.
Willem, H.O., F. De Smet and M.J.C. Evens (1972). A hydrobiological study of the polluted River Lieve (Ghent,
Belgium). Hydrobiol. 39(1): 91-154.
WHO (1984,a). International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade-Review of National Baseline Data. WHO off
set publication No. 85, World Health Organisation, Geneva.
WHO(1996). Guidelines for Drinking Water, V. 2, Recommendations World Health, Organization, Geneva.
1. LIST OF TABLES
Table: 1 Geographical coordinates of sampling locations of the River Kosi
Study sites
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation(ft)
District
State
Kosi Barraige Bhimnagar
26⁰ 31′ 35 ̋ N
86⁰ 55′ 40 ̋ E
255
Supaul
Bihar
Supaul city
26⁰ 07′ 00 ̋ N
86⁰ 35′ 22 ̋ E
172
Supaul
Bihar
Dhamaraghat
25⁰ 37′ 08 ̋ N
86⁰ 36′ 39 ̋ E
132
Khagria
Bihar
Fulaut
25⁰ 30′ 21 ̋ N
86⁰ 57′ 03 ̋ E
116
Madhepura
Bihar
Kursela
25⁰ 27′ 02 ̋ N
87⁰ 14′ 46 ̋ E
111
Katihar
Bihar
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
203
Table: 2 Water quality status of the River Kosi at different sites in Bihar
Physico-chemical properties of the river Kosi
Parameters
Kosi Barrage
Bhimnagar,
Supaul (Bihar)
Supaul city
(Bihar)
Dhamaraghat,
Khagria (Bihar)
Fulaut, Madhepura
(Bihar)
Kursela, Katihar
(Bihar)
Year
2014-15
Mean ±
SD
Year
2015-16
Mean ±
SD
Year
2014-15
Mean ±
SD
Year
2015-16
Mean ±
SD
Year
2014-15
Mean ±
SD
Year
2015-16
Mean ±
SD
Year
2014-15
Mean ±
SD
Year
2015-16
Mean ±
SD
Year
2014-15
Mean ±
SD
Year
2015-16
Mean ±
SD
Temp
(C0)
23.8±10.8
0
25.57 ±
7.01
23.83±
5.21
25.4
±5.07
25.4±
4.95
25.16 ±
6.95
25.06 ±
5.81
25.7 ± 4.33
25.73 ±
4.90
24.4 ±
4.55
pH
7.7± 0.10
8 ± 0.173
8.17 ±
0.20
8.06 ±
0.11
8.06 ±
0.36
8.0 ±
0.25
8.1 ±
0.26
8.00 ± 0.86
7.87 ±
0.31
8.2 ± 0.36
TDS
164±
49.66
146 ±
11.53
181 ±
20.59
172 ±
32.31
172 ±
54.78
184 ±
35.34
208 ±
71.06
200 ±
77.94
216
±70.22
223 ±
57.60
EC
µmhos/c
m
257 ±
48.81
270 ±
39.50
228 ±
45.92
195 ±
34.64
190 ±
32.8
228 ±
49.56
181 ±
50.14
200 ±
38.27
259 ±
44.44
248 ±
66.08
Alk
(mg/l)
552 ±
38.20
130 ±
36.23
92 ±
15.22
87 ±
15.51
86.73 ±
32.90
91.67 ±
40.52
107 ±
34.08
115 ±
46.52
113 ±
25.14
123
±17.55
T.H
(mg/l)
113 ±
57.57
135 ±
21.7
108 ±
22.54
118 ±
14.16
115 ±
20.50
122 ±
48.58
120 ±
41.91
118 ±49.22
142 ±
50.54
156 ±
41.76
SO4
(mg/l)
19.07 ±
4.82
17.53 ±
4.40
15.97 ±
4.50
14.6 ±
4.81
14.60 ±
7.71
17 ± 6.15
15.93 ±
3.49
16.67 ±
4.14
22.5 ±
4.95
15.96 ±
7.35
PO4
(mg/l)
0.05 ±
0.02
0.033 ±
0.015
0.036 ±
0.011
0.06 ±
0.015
0.058 ±
0.024
0.080 ±
0.025
0.030 ±
0.008
0.030 ±
0.016
0.09 ±
0.04
0.10 ±
0.05
Cl (mg/l)
4.33±1.07
5.6 ± 2.62
3.6 ± 1.25
4.9 ±1.56
4.9 ±
1.04
4.73 ±
1.68
4.7 ±
1.22
4.33 ±1.96
5.8 ±
1.45
7.66 ±
3.91
Nitrate
(mg/l)
0.166 ±
0.07
0.15 ±
0.036
0.35 ±
0.03
0.28 ±
0.06
0.283 ±
0.04
0.18 ±
0.041
0.24 ±
0.041
0.25 ±
0.065
0.27 ±
0.083
0.25 ±
0.045
DO
(mg/l)
7.83 ±
1.00
8.067 ±
0.85
8.27 ±
1.00
8.03 ±
1.15
8.03 ±
0.50
8.46 ±
1.75
8.06 ±
1.55
7.1 ± 1.83
7.6 ±
2.72
7.2 ± 3.11
BOD
(mg/l)
2.2 ± 0.52
2.2 ± 0.36
2.37 ±
0.513
2.33 ±
0.25
2.33 ±
0.55
2.8 ± 0.5
2.56 ±
0.42
2.43 ±
0.305
3.8 ±
0.70
3.03 ±
1.07
COD/
(mg/l)
9 ± 5.53
9.87 ±
9.04
12.37 ±
3.208
18.7 ±
9.04
11.5 ±
6.97
15.83 ±
6.60
19.16 ±
2.07
23.63 ± 14
29.27 ±
6.37
32.03 ±
9.66
Heavy Metals Concentration in water of the River Kosi
Co
(mg/l)
0.0 ±
0.002
0.007 ±
0.002
0.014 ±
0.009
0.015 ±
0.006
0.012 ±
0.005
0.014
±0.008
0.016
±0.011
0.026 ±
0.010
0.013 ±
0.004
0.010 ±
0.005
Cu (mg/l)
0.020 ±
0.005
0.017 ±
0.006
0.018 ±
0.009
0.020 ±
0.006
0.020 ±
0.004
0.024
±0.007
0.019 ±
0.007
0.026 ±
0.011
0.018 ±
0.009
0.016 ±
0.014
Cr (mg/l)
0.002 ±
0.001
0.004 ±
0.001
0.002 ±
0.00
0.001 ±
0.00
0.001 ±
0.002
0.003 ±
0.002
0.004 ±
0.001
0.005 ±
0.002
0.005 ±
0.002
0.006 ±
0.002
Ni (mg/l)
0.01 ±
0.006
0.012 ±
0.007
0.005 ±
0.002
0.003 ±
0.001
0.003 ±
0.005
0.018 ±
0.009
0.016 ±
0.008
0.017 ±
0.011
0.008 ±
0.002
0.012 ±
0.004
Cd(mg/l)
0.014 ±
0.009
0.016 ±
0.013
0.018 ±
0.009
0.020 ±
0.009
0.020 ±
0.001
0.024 ±
0.011
0.026 ±
0.012
0.025 ±
0.008
0.012 ±
0.007
0.009 ±
0.004
Zn (mg/l)
0.024±
0.012
0.017 ±
0.010
0.083 ±
0.043
0.092 ±
0.035
0.090 ±
0.053
0.1 ±
0.035
0.089 ±
0.062
0.124 ±
0.015
0.021 ±
0.004
0.020 ±
0.007
Pb (mg/l)
0.009 ±
0.003
0.011 ±
0.002
0.004 ±
0.003
0.006 ±
0.003
0.006 ±
0.010
0.015 ±
0.012
0.018 ±
0.008
0.023
±0.011
0.018 ±
0.008
0.020 ±
0.007
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
204
Table: 3 Comparative descriptions of ranges between all considered parameters of the River Kosi with standard
permissible limits.
Parameters
Kosi
Permissible Limit (mg/l)
Standards
Min
Max
Temp (C0)
23.8
25.7
pH
7.8
8.2
6.5-8.5
USPHS
TDS
164
223
500
USPHS
EC µmhos/cm
195
270
300
USPHS
Alk (mg/l)
87
123
SO4(mg/l)
14.60
22.50
250
USPHS
PO4(mg/l)
0.09
0.03
T.H (mg/l)
108
156
500
WHO
Cl (mg/l)
3.60
7.66
250
USPHS
Nitrate (mg/l)
0.15
0.33
10
USPHS
Do (mg/l)
7.2
8.46
4.0-6.0
USPHS
BOD (mg/l)
2.20
3.80
5.0
USPHS
COD/(mg/l)
9.00
32.30
4.0
USPHS
Heavy Metals in water
Co(mg/l)
0.005
0.016
Cu (mg/l)
0.014
0.026
1.0
WHO
Cr (mg/l)
0.001
0.006
0.05
WHO
Ni (mg/l)
0.003
0.018
0.1
WHO
Cd(mg/l)
0.009
0.026
0.005
WHO
Zn (mg/l)
0.017
0.124
5.00
WHO
Pb (mg/l)
0.004
0.023
0.05
WHO
Table: 4 Water Quality Index (WQI) of the River Kosi
Parameters
Water Quality Index (WQI) of the river Ganga at various study sites
Kosi Barage
Supaul
Dhamaraghat
Phulaut
Kursela
pH
89
80
83
80
84
DO (%)
81
83
84
77
75
BOD (mg/l)
80
73
70
70
64
Phosphate(mg/l)
98
98
97
97
96
Nitrate(mg/l)
97
97
97
99
97
Overall WQI
89
85
86
83
82
Parameters
Temp
pH
TDS
EC
Alk
T.H
SO4
PO4
Cl
Nitrate
DO
BOD
COD
Co-
W
Cu -
W
Cr -
W
Ni -
W
Cd-
W
Zn -
W
Pb -
W
Co -
S
Cu -
S
Cr -
S
Ni -
S
Cd-
S
Zn -
S
Pb -S
Temp
1.00
pH
0.61
1.00
TDS
-0.08
-0.84
1.00
EC
-0.04
-0.82
1.00
1.00
Alk
-0.02
-0.81
1.00
1.00
1.00
T.H
-0.29
-0.93
0.98
0.97
0.96
1.00
SO4
0.51
0.99
-0.90
-0.88
-0.87
-0.97
1.00
PO4
0.53
-0.35
0.81
0.83
0.84
0.66
-0.46
1.00
Cl
-0.47
-0.99
0.92
0.90
0.89
0.98
-1.00
0.50
1.00
Nitrate
0.39
0.97
-0.95
-0.94
-0.93
-0.99
0.99
-0.57
-1.00
1.00
DO
-0.69
-0.99
0.77
0.75
0.74
0.89
-0.97
0.25
0.96
-0.94
1.00
BOD
-0.84
-0.94
0.61
0.59
0.57
0.77
-0.90
0.02
0.88
-0.83
0.97
1.00
COD
0.94
0.31
0.26
0.30
0.32
0.05
0.18
0.78
-0.15
0.06
-0.41
-0.60
1.00
Co-W
0.11
-0.72
0.98
0.99
0.99
0.92
-0.80
0.90
0.82
-0.87
0.64
0.45
0.44
1.00
Cu -W
0.47
-0.41
0.84
0.86
0.87
0.71
-0.52
1.00
0.56
-0.63
0.31
0.09
0.74
0.93
1.00
Cr -W
0.28
-0.59
0.94
0.95
0.95
0.84
-0.68
0.96
0.71
-0.77
0.50
0.29
0.59
0.98
0.98
1.00
Ni -W
0.29
-0.58
0.93
0.94
0.95
0.83
-0.68
0.97
0.70
-0.76
0.49
0.28
0.60
0.98
0.98
1.00
1.00
Cd-W
0.27
-0.60
0.94
0.95
0.96
0.84
-0.69
0.96
0.72
-0.78
0.51
0.30
0.58
0.99
0.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
Zn -W
0.04
-0.76
0.99
1.00
1.00
0.94
-0.84
0.87
0.86
-0.90
0.69
0.51
0.38
1.00
0.90
0.97
0.97
0.97
1.00
Pb -W
0.13
-0.71
0.98
0.99
0.99
0.91
-0.79
0.91
0.81
-0.86
0.63
0.44
0.46
1.00
0.94
0.99
0.99
0.99
1.00
1.00
Co -S
0.49
-0.39
0.83
0.85
0.86
0.69
-0.50
1.00
0.54
-0.61
0.29
0.07
0.76
0.92
1.00
0.97
0.98
0.97
0.89
0.93
1.00
Cu -S
0.25
-0.61
0.95
0.96
0.96
0.85
-0.71
0.95
0.73
-0.79
0.53
0.32
0.56
0.99
0.97
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.98
0.99
0.97
1.00
Cr -S
0.33
-0.55
0.91
0.93
0.94
0.81
-0.64
0.98
0.67
-0.74
0.45
0.24
0.63
0.97
0.99
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.96
0.98
0.99
1.00
1.00
Ni -S
0.40
-0.49
0.88
0.90
0.91
0.76
-0.59
0.99
0.62
-0.69
0.39
0.17
0.68
0.96
1.00
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.93
0.96
0.99
0.99
1.00
1.00
Cd-S
0.14
-0.70
0.98
0.98
0.99
0.91
-0.78
0.92
0.81
-0.85
0.62
0.43
0.47
1.00
0.94
0.99
0.99
0.99
1.00
1.00
0.93
0.99
0.98
0.97
1.00
Zn -S
0.29
-0.59
0.93
0.94
0.95
0.83
-0.68
0.96
0.71
-0.77
0.49
0.29
0.59
0.98
0.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.97
0.99
0.98
1.00
1.00
0.99
0.99
1.00
Pb -S
0.30
-0.57
0.93
0.94
0.95
0.83
-0.67
0.97
0.70
-0.76
0.48
0.27
0.60
0.98
0.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.97
0.98
0.98
1.00
1.00
0.99
0.99
1.00
1.00
Table: 5 Pearson’s correlation matrix of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in water of the River Kosi f
or the year 2014-2015. (W= Water).
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
205
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
Table: 6. Pearson’s correlation matrix of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in water of the River Kosi
for the year 2015-2016. (W= Water).
Parameters
Temp
pH
TDS
EC
Alk
T.H
SO4
PO4
Cl
Nitrate
DO
BOD
COD
Co-
W
Cu -
W
Cr -
W
Ni -
W
Cd-
W
Zn -
W
Pb -
W
Co -
S
Cu -
S
Cr -
S
Ni -
S
Cd-
S
Zn -
S
Pb -
S
Temp
1.00
pH
0.45
1.00
TDS
-0.18
-0.96
1.00
EC
-0.35
-0.99
0.98
1.00
Alk
-0.16
-0.95
1.00
0.98
1.00
T.H
-0.47
-1.00
0.95
0.99
0.95
1.00
SO4
0.30
0.99
-0.99
-1.00
-0.99
-0.98
1.00
PO4
0.38
-0.65
0.84
0.73
0.85
0.63
-0.76
1.00
Cl
-0.18
-0.96
1.00
0.99
1.00
0.95
-0.99
0.84
1.00
Nitrate
-0.03
-0.91
0.99
0.95
0.99
0.90
-0.96
0.91
0.99
1.00
DO
-1.00
-0.38
0.10
0.28
0.08
0.40
-0.23
-0.45
0.11
-0.05
1.00
BOD
-0.39
-1.00
0.98
1.00
0.97
1.00
-1.00
0.70
0.98
0.93
0.32
1.00
COD
0.83
-0.13
0.40
0.24
0.42
0.11
-0.28
0.84
0.40
0.54
-0.87
0.20
1.00
Co-W
0.39
-0.65
0.84
0.73
0.85
0.63
-0.76
1.00
0.84
0.91
-0.46
0.70
0.84
1.00
Cu -W
0.30
-0.72
0.88
0.79
0.89
0.70
-0.82
1.00
0.88
0.94
-0.37
0.76
0.78
1.00
1.00
Cr -W
0.02
-0.89
0.98
0.93
0.98
0.88
-0.95
0.93
0.98
1.00
-0.09
0.92
0.57
0.93
0.96
1.00
Ni -W
0.29
-0.73
0.89
0.80
0.90
0.71
-0.83
0.99
0.89
0.95
-0.36
0.77
0.77
0.99
1.00
0.96
1.00
Cd-W
0.37
-0.67
0.85
0.74
0.86
0.65
-0.77
1.00
0.85
0.92
-0.44
0.72
0.82
1.00
1.00
0.94
1.00
1.00
1.00
Zn -W
0.38
-0.66
0.84
0.74
0.86
0.64
-0.77
1.00
0.84
0.91
-0.45
0.71
0.83
1.00
1.00
0.93
1.00
1.00
1.00
Pb -W
0.34
-0.69
0.86
0.76
0.87
0.67
-0.79
1.00
0.86
0.93
-0.41
0.73
0.81
1.00
1.00
0.94
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Co -S
0.35
-0.68
0.86
0.76
0.87
0.66
-0.79
1.00
0.86
0.93
-0.42
0.73
0.81
1.00
1.00
0.94
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Cu -S
0.32
-0.71
0.88
0.78
0.89
0.69
-0.81
1.00
0.87
0.94
-0.39
0.75
0.79
1.00
1.00
0.95
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Cr -S
0.38
-0.66
0.84
0.74
0.86
0.64
-0.77
1.00
0.84
0.92
-0.44
0.71
0.83
1.00
1.00
0.93
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Ni -S
0.51
-0.54
0.75
0.62
0.77
0.52
-0.66
0.99
0.75
0.84
-0.58
0.59
0.91
0.99
0.97
0.87
0.97
0.99
0.99
0.98
0.98
0.98
0.99
1.00
Cd-S
0.27
-0.74
0.90
0.81
0.91
0.72
-0.83
0.99
0.90
0.95
-0.34
0.78
0.76
0.99
1.00
0.97
1.00
1.00
0.99
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.99
0.97
1.00
Zn -S
0.20
-0.79
0.93
0.85
0.94
0.77
-0.87
0.98
0.93
0.97
-0.28
0.82
0.72
0.98
0.99
0.98
1.00
0.99
0.98
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.98
0.94
1.00
1.00
Pb -S
0.39
-0.65
0.84
0.73
0.85
0.63
-0.76
1.00
0.84
0.91
-0.45
0.70
0.84
1.00
1.00
0.93
0.99
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.99
0.99
0.98
1.00
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
206
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
207
2. LIST OF FIGURE
Fig: 1 Study area with different sampling sites of the river Kosi.
207
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
208
22
23
24
25
26
Temperature (ºC)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
50
100
150
200
TH (mg/l
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
EC (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
PO4 (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
208
7
7.5
8
8.5
pH
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
50
100
150
200
250
TDS (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
50
100
150
Alkalinity ( mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
2
4
6
Chloride (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
208
208
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
209
Fig: 2 Value of various physic-chemical parameter of the river Kosi at different sites
0
1
2
3
4
BOD (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
2
4
6
8
10
DO (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
0.01
0.02
Co (mg/l)
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0.007
Cr (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
209
Fig: 2 Value of various physic-chemical parameter of the river Kosi at different sites
0
0.2
0.4
NO3 (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
10
20
30
40
COD (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
Cu (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
Ni (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
Assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of the River Kosi, a major tributary of the river Ganga in Northern India
209
Fig: 2 Value of various physic-chemical parameter of the river Kosi at different sites
209
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
210
Fig: 3 Concentrations of heavy metals in water of the river Kosi at different sites
Fig: 4 Water Quality Index (WQI) of the River Kosi at various sites
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
Cd (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
Pb (mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
78
80
82
84
86
88
90
WQI
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
210
Fig: 3 Concentrations of heavy metals in water of the river Kosi at different sites
Fig: 4 Water Quality Index (WQI) of the River Kosi at various sites
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
Zn ( mg/l)
Sampling sites of the River Kosi
RTEASTN/Proceeding/2016/188-210 ISBN: 978-81-932601-6-6
210
Fig: 3 Concentrations of heavy metals in water of the river Kosi at different sites
Fig: 4 Water Quality Index (WQI) of the River Kosi at various sites
210
