Determination of Physico Chemical Parameters and Trace Metal Contents of Ground Water in Different Areas of Rajkot District

 

Dhaval M. Hirapara1, Urvisha V. Bangoriya1*, Hemraj M. Tank1 and Ketan Dadhania2

1 S.S. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hadala, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.

2 Shree R. D. Gaurdi, Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: urvistar@yahoo.co.in

 

ABSTRACT:

Groundwater is one of the most useful water sources. Contamination of such water source is a big problem creating health hazards. In this present study we have collected groundwater samples from different places of Rajkot district of India. These samples were analyzed for the various physicochemical parameters like pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, calcium and magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride ion and biochemical oxygen demand. The analysis of the water quality parameters of groundwater from Rajkot district shows that the pH, Conductivity, Total Dissolved solids, Dissolve oxygen, Biochemical oxygen demand, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sulphate are well within the permissible limits. The Total Hardness and Calcium hardness of Station-3, Station-4 and Station-5. These samples need treatments to minimize the contamination. The mineral water is found to be safest for drinking.

 

KEYWORDS: Groundwater, Physicochemical parameters, Rajkot district, India

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Ground water is ultimate, most suitable fresh water resource with nearly balanced concentration of the salts for human consumption. Groundwater is water that occupies the pores or crevices in sand, sandstone, limestone and other rocks1. Over burden of the population pressure, unplanned urbanization, unrestricted exploration policies and dumping of the polluted water at inappropriate place enhance the infiltration of harmful compounds to the ground water2. The resulting groundwater contamination plumes may extend several hundred meters or even further away from the source of pollution. As groundwater move both vertically and horizontally in response to gravity and hydraulic pressure3. Business owners, municipalities and the public should understand that contamination can enter the groundwater from many routes4. As the assessment of groundwater quality has not been given due importance, water Borne diseases have become very common. About 80 percent of the diseases in the world are due to poor quality of drinking water5. The objective of this work is to assess the quality of drinking water in Rajkot district.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

All the samples were collected in the month of March 2010. The locations selected for the investigations are Jetpur (Station road), Jetpur (aveda chowk), Rajkot city, Dhoraji, Gondal, Upleta and Jamkandorna. The samples were collected in wide mouthed polythene bottles and stored in ice-box. These samples were analyzed employing the standard methods6 (APHA). pH was measured at 310C with the help of pH meter. pH meter previously standardized with pH buffer 4.00, 7.43 and 9.00. Conductivity was measured using conductivity meter. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were estimated by TDS meter. Total Alkalinity was estimated titrimetrically using H2SO4.Dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were analyzed titrimetrically using standard sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) solution. Total Hardness and Calcium (Ca2+) were analyzed titrimetrically using standard EDTA. Magnesium(Mg2+) were computed taking the difference between total hardness and Ca2+ values, Na+ and K+ were determined using flame photometric method and Chloride (Cl-) was estimated using standard AgNO3 titration - 7.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Results of physico-chemical analysis are given in Table 2, the results are also analysed graphically (Figure 1-4).

 

Figure 1:  pH values of various groundwater samples collected from Rajkot district

 

Figure 2: Conductance, TDS, Total alkalinity values of various groundwater collected from Rajkot district

 

Figure 3: Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand values of various Groundwater samples collected from Rajkot district

 

Figure 4: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Sulphate and chloride values of various groundwater samples collected from Rajkot district

 

PH:

The pH values of groundwater fluctuated between 7.25 to 8.00 (Table-2). The pH limit for drinking water is specified8 as 6.5 to 8.5. The pH study of ground water showed slightly alkaline nature. (the answer is about neutral to slightly alkaline)

 

Conductivity:

In present study conductivity of groundwater varies from 759 to 1479 µmho/cm as shown in Table 2. The result indicates that almost all the water samples are within the permissible limits of 2250 µmho/cm.9

 

Total Dissolved Solids:

The total dissolved solids in these studies ranged between 301 to 1390 mg/L. The ISI standard for dissolved solid is up to 500 mg/L and the maximum permissible quantity11 is 2000 mg/L. The TDS values of all the water samples are within the permissible limits10 of 2000 mg/L (Table - 1).

 

Table 1: Standards for drinking water quality12

Sr. No.

Parameters

BIS: 1999

ICMR: 1975

WHO: 2003

01

pH

6.5 -8.5

7.0 – 8.5

6.5 – 9.5

02

EC(microseimens/cm)

-

-

1400

03

Total Dissolved Solids

2000

500

600

04

Na+

-

-

-

05

K+

-

-

-

06

Ca+2

200

200

100

07

Mg+2

100

200

150

08

Cl-

1000

200

250

09

CO32-

-

-

-

10

HCO3-

-

-

-

11

SO42-

400

200

250

12

NO32-

100

50

50

13

Total Hardness

600

600

500

Note: All values except pH and EC are expressed in mg/L.

EC = Electrical Conductance

 

Table 2: Physico-Chemical characteristics of groundwater in Rajkot city

Sr. No.

Parameter

Station-1

Jetpur

(Stationroad)

Station-2

Jetpur

(Aveda chawk)

Station-3

Rajkot city

Station-4

Dhoraji

Station-5

Gondal

Station-6

Upleta

Station-7

Jam kandorna

01

pH

7.59

8.0

7.50

7.36

7.82

7.55

7.25

02

Conductivity µmho/cm

927

449

1023

1715

1118

1479

975

03

TDS mg/L

676

301

685

1390

834

958

551

04

Total Alkalinity mg/L

153

178

144

128

164

148

115

05

Dissolved oxygen mg/L

17.50

6.63

8.75

16

14

25

19.37

06

Biochemical

Oxygen Demand mg/L

1.28

1.66

1.26

1.06

0.67

0.67

0.66

07

Total hardness mg/L

250

175

340

480

348

290

280

08

Ca hardness mg/L

168

100

244

338

247

181

189

09

Mg Hardness mg/L

132

75

96

142

101

109

91

10

Sodium mg/L

25

37

62

60

34

71

54

11

Potassium mg/L

01

07

06

00

05

01

05

12

Chloride mg/L

209

198

202

230

209

209

222

 

 

Total Alkalinity:

In present study total alkalinity was found between the range of 115 to 164 mg/L. The cause of alkalinity is the mineral which dissolve in water from soil. The various ionic species that contribute to alkalinity include bicarbonate, hydroxide, phosphate, borate and organic acids. These factors are characteristics of the source of water in natural processes taking place at any given time.

 

Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand:

The Dissolved oxygen varies from 6.63 to 25mg/L and the biochemical oxygen demand observations vary from 0.66 to 1.66 mg/L. These values indicate relatively mild organic pollution.

 

Total Hardness:

The total hardness ranges from 175 to 480 mg/L. These values are within the prescribed limit of ICMR except the Station-3, Station-4  and Station-5 which is 340, 480 and 348mg/L respectively and it falls in hard water category and containing appreciable amount of calcium and magnesium ions11.

 

Calcium and Magnesium Hardness:

The maximum permissible limit of calcium hardness is 200 mg/L (ICMR). The value of sampling groundwater

area ranged from 100 to 338 mg/L. Thus sampling Stations-3, Station-4 and Station-5 have greater calcium hardness. The maximum permissible limit of magnesium hardness is 150 mg/L (ICMR). Magnesium hardness value in studied area ranged from 75 to 142 mg/L.

 

Sodium and Potassium:

Large amounts give a salty taste when combined with chloride. Moderate quantities have little effect on the usefulness of water for most purposes. Sodium and potassium concentrations are varying from 25 to 71 mg/L and 00 to 07 mg/L respectively.

 

Chloride:

Chloride salts in excess of 100 mg/L give salty taste to water. When combined with calcium and magnesium, may increase the corrosive activity of water. It is recommended that chloride content should not exceed 250 mg/L12. Chloride concentrations are varying from198 to 230 mg/L which are lower than the prescribed by WHO standards.

 

CONCLUSION:

The analysis of the water quality parameters of groundwater from Rajkot district shows that the pH, Conductivity, Total Dissolved solids, Dissolve oxygen, Biochemical oxygen demand, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sulphate are well within the permissible limits. The Total Hardness and Calcium hardness of Station-3, Station-4 and Station-5. These samples need treatments to minimize the contamination. The mineral water is found to be safest for drinking.

 

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8.       ISI. Indian standard specification for drinking water. IS10500. ISI, New Delhi.1983.

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10.     WHO. International Standards for Drinking Water. WHO, Geneva. 1994.

11.     http://www.icmr.nic.in

12.     Tatawat RK and Chandel CPS. Quality of ground water of Jaipur city, Rajasthan (India) and its suitability for domestic and Irrigation purpose. Applied ecology and Environmental Research. 2008; 6(2):79-88.

 

 

 

Received on 20.01.2011        Modified on 17.03.2011

Accepted on 04.04.2011        © AJRC All right reserved

Asian J. Research Chem. 4(6): June, 2011; Page 879-881