INTRODUCTION:

Meteorological measurements for weather forecasting and climatology have been carried out on a regular basis for centuries. However, the data acquired can only be evaluated and interpreted after having statistically recorded medium-term and long-term atmospheric conditions. Nowadays, transport and communications such as ground, air and sea traffic could not be maintained without these data, which are mainly being collected from measurements and observations in the atmosphere close to the ground.

The main meteorological parameters in this field are: Air temperature, humidity and rainfall. These parameters are also significant for such issues as air pollution, sun simulation, renewable energy, industry, agriculture, forestry, water supply and distribution, town and regional planning. Numerous publications have reported that urban development and agricultural activities directly or indirectly affect the groundwater quality^1-6. The structure of the atmosphere close to the ground is extremely important for the local climate. Knowing the solar radiation as well as the air humidity and air temperature is necessary to evaluate chemical reactions of pollutants in the air. All meteorological parameters are subject to short-term variations, normally caused by turbulences within the atmosphere. All meteorological parameters are influenced by solar radiation, directly or indirectly, and this results in typical daily or yearly trends.

Water temperature is a physical property expressing how hot or cold water is. As hot and cold are both arbitrary terms, temperature can further be defined as a measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance ⁷. This energy can be transferred between substances as the flow of heat. Heat transfer, whether from the air, sunlight, another water source or thermal pollution can change the temperature of water. Water temperature has been defined as the “abiotic master factor” by JR Brett due to its effect on aquatic organisms⁸. Plants are also affected by water temperature. While some aquatic plants tolerate cooler waters, most prefer warmer temperatures⁹.

A change in the pH of water can have a number of consequences. In the environment, many plants and animals are harmed, or even killed, as a result of acidification. Many varieties of fish and aquatic life are extremely sensitive to changes in water temperature and composition. As the pH decreases and the acidity increases, fewer and fewer organisms can survive. Acidic water is synergistic, which means that a combination of a low pH and an increased concentration of certain substances is far more harmful than the sum of the parts. For example, aluminium, lead and mercury are potentially dangerous substances, but when the pH of the water source is already low, these substances can have extremely detrimental consequences for aquatic life. Acidic water can also cause problems for human consumption. While slightly acidic water is not dangerous, on its own, it can be quite dangerous when combined with other compounds. Water with a pH that is less than 6.5 can leach metal ions, including iron, manganese, copper, lead and zinc from plumbing fixtures and pipes. This, in return, can be quite dangerous. On the other end of the pH scale, water that has a pH greater than 8.0 can be difficult to disinfect. The World Health Organization recommends that the pH of the water be less than 8.0, because basic water does not allow for effective chlorination.

Thus due to the great deal of importance, in this article we scrutinized the metrological parameters of the study area; the water quality has been assessed with respect to temperature and pH. Several water samples were collected in the pre and post monsoon month of March 2011 to February 2012 and March 2012 to February 2013 from different bore wells samples and were analyzed for temperature and pH level. Before the water sample collection, the location of industries, drainage system and river bodies were thoroughly studied.

STUDY AREA AND ITS TOPOGRAPHY: MALDA DISTRICT (W.B.):

For studies on pollution assessment in surface and ground water in Malda District for drinking water purpose, one of the populated area having all types of water resources in use has been taken up as a study area. Here for this purpose the scholar has taken the township of Malda of Malda district of West Bengal. West Bengal a well known state of India (Fig. 1) was separated from the old Bengal state in 1905 by Lord Curzon.

Figure 1: Location of West Bengal in India

It consists of three divisions namely Jalpaiguri Division, Burdwan Division and Presidency Division. Jalpaiguri Division comprises of six districts namely, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur. Malda district consists of fifteen blocks namely, Kaliachak-I, Kaliachak-II, Kaliachak-III, English Bazar, Old Malda, Habipur, Bamangola, Gazole, Ratua-I, Ratua-II, Manikchak, Chanchal-I, Chanchal-II, Harishchandrapur-I and Harishchandrapur-II. English Bazar is a township having all different types of water resources for drinking purpose and hence for study purpose this township has been taken up as a model for research study on the pollution status and assessment of surface and ground water in Malda for drinking purpose.

Malda - West Bengal:

Malda has a rich colonial history and is well known for its natural beauty and the rivers. It has seen many great rulers in the past from the Buddhist, Hindus and the Muslim.

The district experienced extreme climate conditions and is found to be a very important district in West Bengal(Fig. 2). During the British rule it was known as the English Bazaar. Malda is situated on the confluence of the rivers Kalindi and Mahananda.

Figure 2: Location of Malda in West Bengal

It is located on latitude range is 24 degree 40 ' 20" N to 25 degree 32'08" N and longitude range is 87 degree 45' 50" E to 88 degree 28'10" E. The district occupies an area of 3,733.66 sq KM. the district is surround by Murshidabad district to the south, North Dinajpur to the north, and Bangladesh to the east. The west side shares its borders with Jharkhand and Bihar.

Malda district is well connected with roads and railway transport to different parts of the country. The railway station found here is named as Malda town. Most of the trains that are bound for North Bengal and North eastern states pass through Malda town station. The district also has National Highway 34 and the second National Highway No that passes through the district is NH-81. The head quarter is located at Ingraj Bazar. There are plenty of roads that connect to major towns like the Manik Chak, Maldah, Habibpur, Bamangola, Kahrab, Harishchadrapur, Samsi, Kaliachak and Bahgabanpur (Fig. 3).

Figure 3: Position of Different Block of Malda District

The Mahananda River divides Malda district into two regions. The Ganga River flows along the south western boundary. Some of the other rivers are the Tangoan, Kalindri, Bhagirathi, Punarbhaba and Pagla (Fig. 4).

Malda had a population of 3,997,970 according to 2011 report and ranks 58th in India. The density of population per square kilometer is 1,071. The district recorded a sex ratio of 939 females per 1000 males. The literacy rate is 62.71 percent.

Figure 4: Road map of Malda District

The district comprises of 59 percent of Muslim people, 40 percent Hindus and one percent of other religion. The language spoken here is Urdu, Bengali, Hindi and Maithili. There are also some regional languages as well.

Malda is a beautiful place and is rich in history. It boosts of various monuments, mosques, temples and various other buildings from the British and pre-British rule. The Jama Masjid, Nimsari tower, Raiganj bird sanctuary, museum, ruins of Gaur and Pandua etc are some of the interesting places to visit in Malda.

STUDY OF METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS:

Physiography of any area or part of land scope deals with the morphological, geographical and environmental features. Information about these aspects of any area is essential from monitoring point of view. In addition to morphometry and geology, abiotic factors like meteorological conditions have direct effect on the biotic factors particularly on the composition and distribution of the biological species. Even the physico-chemical and biological properties of water are often regulated by the regional varians in light, temperature, moisture, wind velocity direction of river current and average rainfall. These features are responsible for a large number o phenomena like bacterial die off, spatial distribution of micro-organism etc.

Meteorological conditions of Jalpaiguri division is naturally tropical having three distinct seasons, i.e. summer (March to June), rainy (July to October) and winter (November to February). The summer is hot with scorching bright sunshine, strong wind, full of dust and perspirating high atmospheric temperature, where as the winter is quite cold with low atmospheric temperature and pleasant and mild sunshine with dry wind. The rainy season is characterized by decline in temperature, incline in humidity, dark clouds of monsoon wind, and showers of rains. Heavy rains usually cause flood and excess surface run off. A brief idea of meteorological conditions can be had from the data collected during the study period.

1. Atmospheric Temperature:

A great variation has been recovered, so far the atmospheric temperature is concerned. Minimum temperature (8.4˚C and 8.2˚C) was recorded in January, 2012 and 2013 maximum temperature was observed in June, 2011 and 2012. Details data are given in Table 1 and Table2. Average monthly variations of atmospheric temperature are shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.

Figure 7: Average Monthly Variation in Humidity of Malda district from March 2011 to Feb-2012

Table 1: Meteorological Data of Malda District from March-2011 to February-2012.

Month and year		Temperature ˚C		Humidity %		Rainfall in mm
Month and year		Maximum	Minimum	7 A.M.	2 P. M.	Rainfall in mm
March	2011	30.2	13.9	88	38	01.2
April	2011	30.9	20.2	62	24	54.3
May	2011	31.5	21.1	75	26	49.2
June	2011	38.1	23.5	78	48	336.5
July	2011	33.5	20.6	94	78	440.1
Aug	2011	31.6	20.0	100	85	930.5
Sept	2011	32.0	20.8	93	82	150.5
Oct	2011	32.2	20.1	90	63	020.5
Nov	2011	29.1	19.2	95	58	009.7
Dec	2011	27.2	17.1	91	50	001.2
Jan	2012	22.9	08.4	94	53	000.0
Feb	2012	23.8	10.1	96	55	014.0

Table 2: Meteorological Data of Malda district from March-2012 to February- 2013.

Month and Year		Temperature ˚C		Humidity %		Rainfall in mm
Month and Year		Maximum	Minimum	7 A.M.	2 P.M.	Rainfall in mm
March	2012	31.2	15.0	88	38	01.5
April	2012	28.4	19.2	62	24	53.4
May	2012	30.0	21.4	75	26	50.1
June	2012	38.0	25.8	78	48	340.2
July	2012	33.6	25.5	94	78	442.1
Aug	2012	31.4	25.0	101	86	940.5
Sept	2012	32.0	25.7	92	81	151.5
Oct	2012	33.0	25.0	90	63	022.6
Nov	2012	28.8	17.2	95	59	010.7
Dec	2012	25.7	10.0	91	50	002.5
Jan	2013	22.0	08.2	93	52	000.0
Feb	2013	23.9	10.1	95	54	014.0

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Comparative study of the physico-chemical and biological properties of the five different drinking water sources (Viz,, River, well water, tube-well water, boring water, pond water notified supply water etc.) were studied for two consecutive years from March, 2011 to February, 2013 regularly at monthly intervals. Water samples were properly collected in the polyethene bottles during morning between 8.00 A.M. and 11.00 A.M. Analysis of water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO₂), free carbon dioxide (FCO₂). Carbonate (CO^2-₃) and bicarbonate (HCO₃) were done at the spot immediately after collection of the water samples.

Temperature: - ambient and surface water temperature were measured in Celcius with mercury thermometer graduated from 0˚C to 110˚C.

pH was measured by Corning pH meter model 430. Buffer solution of pH 9.2 was used for its standardization.

SAMPLE COLLECTION:

For routine study three different points were selected in the township. Beside samples were also collected randomly from different places of the town.

1. Tube Well / Hand Pump: Tube-wells commonly called as ‘Hand-pumps’ have become very popular and are extensively used for domestic need. At least two tube-wells of different places, were selected for periodical regular study of water. Both tube-wells are public wells and are installed at the different places of the town. Surroundings of these two tube-ells were very unhygienic. Out of 149 tube-wells installed at Malda, water from about 100 tube-wells were tested randomly on intervals.

2. Pond Water:

Ponds are very popular in the villages and are extensively used for domestic need. At least two ponds of different places, were selected for periodical regular study of water. Both ponds are public wells and are installed at the different places of the district. Surroundings of these two ponds were very unhygienic.

3. Well Water: At least two public wells were selected for regular monitoring of water quality some of the wells of the town is extensively used by local people for drinking at homes as well as in the hotels. It is well built having a cement floor around. Water of some wells is mostly used for offering to God and Goddess in the nearly temples. A small group of people use it for drinking purposes this has been built improperly without any sanitation and their surroundings are unhygienic.

4. River Water:

River are very popular for poor people and are extensively used for domestic need and this river water supplied for the people of Dulalganj of Kaliachak-II Block of Malda District. The sample were collected from different places, were selected for periodical regular study of water.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

1. Water Temperature:

Water temperature governs the composition and activities of biological species of large extent. It has an effect on most chemical reactions that occure in natural water system and has pronounced effect on the solubility of gas. Water temperature ranged from 20.5˚C to 28.9˚C in March 2011- Feb. 2012 and 22.5 to 28.5⁰C in March-2012-Feb. 2013 in river supply 22.1˚C to 28.7˚C in March 2011-Feb. 2012 and 23.0⁰ C to 28.7⁰ C in March-2012-Feb. 2013 in tube-well water, 22.9⁰C to 33.0⁰C in March-2011-Feb.2012 and 22.0⁰ C to 33.0⁰ C in March-2012-Feb.2013 in well water and 23.5⁰C to 28.9⁰ C in March-2011 – Feb. 2012 and 22.5⁰ C to 28.9⁰ C in March 2012 to Feb. 2013 in Pond water. Details data are given in Table 3 and Table 4. Average monthly variations of water temperature from different source are shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12.

Minimum temperature was recorded it winter which gradually increase and was maximum in summer at all the sites. Slight downward trend was observed during rainy season. Similar reports have earlier been made by Mishra and Yadava¹⁰ and Saha et. al.¹¹. Rise of temperature in river supply and well water might be due to direct consequences of sharp solar radiation low water level, clear weather and longer duration of days.

Table 3: Water Temperature of Malda district from March-2011 to February- 2012.

Month	Mar-11	Apr-11	May-11	Jun-11	Jul-11	Aug-11	Sep-11	Oct-11	Nov-11	Dec-11	Jan-12	Feb-12
Water Temp °C River water	27.4	27.7	28.6	28.3	28.9	27	26.8	26	25	24	20.5	24.1
Water Temp °C Tube-well water	27.6	27.5	28.4	28	28	27.5	27	26.8	25.2	24.9	23.1	24.1
Water Temp °C Well water	27.7	28.7	30	33	32.5	31.2	32	27	25	24	22.9	23.5
Water Temp °C Pond water	27.6	27.8	28.9	28.9	28.6	28.4	27.2	26.4	25.1	24.2	23.5	24.9

Table 4: Water Temperature of Malda district from March-2012 to February- 2013.

Month	Mar-12	Apr-12	May-12	Jun-12	Jul-12	Aug-12	Sep-12	Oct-12	Nov-12	Dec-12	Jan-13	Feb-13
Water Temp ˚C River water	27.5	27.8	28.5	28.4	27.2	27	26.8	26	25	24	22.5	24
Water Temp ˚C Tube-well water	27	27.9	28.7	28	28	27.5	27	26.8	25.2	24.9	23	24
Water Temp ˚C Well water	28	28.5	30	33	32.5	31.2	32	27	25	24	22	24.5
Water Temp ˚C Pond water	27.4	27.9	28.8	28.9	28.6	28.4	27.2	26.4	25.1	24.2	22.5	23.9

Figure 11: Average Monthly Variation in Temp. of River, Tube-well, well & Pond water of Malda district from March 2011 to Feb-2012

Figure 12: Average Monthly Variation in Temp. of River, Tube-well, well & Pond water of Malda district from March 2012 to Feb-2013

Table 5: pH of Water (River Water, Tube-Well, Well Water and Pond Water) of Malda district from March-2011 to February- 2012.

Month	Mar-11	Apr-11	May-11	Jun-11	Jul-11	Aug-11	Sep-11	Oct-11	Nov-11	Dec-11	Jan-12	Feb-12
pH-River water	6.7	6.7	6.5	6.8	6.8	6.7	7	7.2	6.9	6.6	7.3	7.2
pH-Tube-well water	7.26	7.23	7.17	7.5	7.49	7.3	7.21	7.25	7.2	7.34	7.31	7.45
pH-Well water	7.0	7.0	7.18	7.2	7.25	7.18	7.14	7.25	7.12	7.1	7.0	7.22
pH-Pond water	8.4	8.3	8.6	8.7	8.8	8.4	8.2	8.1	8.5	8.1	8.0	8.3

Table 6: pH of Water (River Water, Tube-Well, Well Water and Pond Water) of Malda district from March-2011 to February- 2012.

Month	Mar-12	Apr-12	May-12	Jun-12	Jul-12	Aug-12	Sep-12	Oct-12	Nov-12	Dec-12	Jan-13	Feb-13
pH-River water	6.8	6.8	6.5	6.9	6.9	6.7	7	7.2	6.9	6.8	7.1	7.0
pH-Tube-well water	7.23	7.22	7.16	7.5	7.49	7.3	7.2	7.25	7.2	7.34	7.3	7.44
pH-Well water	7.0	7.0	7.18	7.2	7.25	7.18	7.14	7.25	7.12	7.1	7.0	7.22
pH-Pond water	8.1	8.2	8.6	8.7	8.8	8.4	8.2	8	8.5	8.1	8.0	8.4

Figure 13: Average Monthly Variation in pH of River, Tube-well, well & Pond water of Malda district from March 2011 to Feb-2012

However, that does not mean that temperature changes will make a solution more acidic or basic. Because the ratio of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions remains the same, the acidity of water does not change with temperature. Instead, the entire pH range shifts, so that neutral water will have a value other than 7. Pure water will remain neutral at 0°C (pH is 7.47), 25°C.

(pH is 7.00) or 100°C. (pH is 6.14).

5. Effect of pH:

Aquatic organisms need the pH of their water body to be within a certain range for optimal growth and survival. Although each organism has an ideal pH, most aquatic organisms prefer pH of 6.5 – 8.0. Outside of this range, organisms become physiologically stressed. Reproduction can be impacted by out-of-range pH, and organisms may even die if the pH gets too far from their optimal range. In addition to directly affecting the physiology of aquatic organisms, additional aspects of lake dynamics are influenced by pH. Low pH can cause

the release of toxic elements and compounds from sediments into the water where they may be taken up by aquatic animals or plants. Changes in pH also influence the availability of plant nutrients, such as phosphate, ammonia, iron and trace metals, in the water.

Some variables that influence pH include: Bedrock (the solid rock underlying surface soils) of a location. Since we are in a glaciated area, our water generally has a lower pH (more acidic). However, areas with limestone bedrock, including areas in Lincoln, RI, generally have higher pH waters (more basic).

Acid rain (atmospheric deposition). The presence of acid rain can lower the pH in lakes making them more acidic.

Water use. Municipal water suppliers often raise the pH of drinking water to prevent corrosion of pipes, often to pH 9.

Wastewater discharge. Materials added to water during domestic water use, such as detergents and soap-based products are often alkaline which can increase the pH of water (more basic). Wastewater treatment facilities are required to adjust the pH of wastewater that is outside of acceptable limits (U.S. E.P.A. range 5 – 10) prior to discharge into streams or estuaries.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂). pH fluctuates throughout the day in a lake or pond largely inresponse to changing CO₂ levels. CO₂ dissolved in water forms a mild acid. When CO₂ is high, pH falls (more acidic). In the morning, CO₂ levels are high as a result of respiration that occurred in the pond overnight. As sun rises, plants and algae begin photosynthesis thereby consuming CO₂ and causing the pH to rise (more basic) as the day progresses. Algae blooms can significantly increase this effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

Meteorological conditions of Malda District is naturally tropical having three distinct seasons, i.e. summer (March to June), rainy (July to October) and winter (November to February).

The humidity is another factor that regulates the growth of almost all fungi in the nature. It ranged from 62% to 100% in 2012 and 93% to 95% to in 2013 at 7.00 A.M. where as at 2.00 P.M., it was 24% to 86% and 52% to 54% for the respective years. Average values of 81% at 7.00 A.M. (2012) and 55% at 2.00 P.M. (2012) where recorded during the period of study and were sufficient for optimum growth of fungi in nature.

The rainfall is also another important factor and it’s the ultimate source of the surface as well as groundwater on the earth. Under ground water resources also depend on the rainfall. Higher the rainfall, the higher is the groundwater table. Highest rainfall (930.5 mm and 940.5 mm) was recorded during August, 2011 to 2012 and there was no rainfall in November, 2011 to 2012 and January, 2012 to 2013. An average rainfall of 167.3 mm and 169.09 mm was recorded during the year, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.

Water that is too warm is usually considered to be more dangerous to aquatic life than cold water. However, both can affect growth, disease tolerance and survival rate. Water that is too cold will affect the biological processes and metabolic rates of aquatic organisms. Highest water temperature is observed in case of well water and lower for river, tube-well and pond water. Water temperature’s impact on a variety of other parameters makes it a subtle, but vital, factor in determining water quality

It was furnished that pond water has the highest value of pH and lowest for the river water. Although pH usually has no direct impact on water consumers, it is one of the most important operational water quality parameters. For effective disinfection with chlorine, the pH should preferably be less than 8.0. Extreme pH values can result from accidental spills, treatment breakdowns and insufficiently cured cement mortar pipe linings. It is not considered to be necessary to propose a health-based guideline value for pH.

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Received on 15.01.2018 Modified on 21.02.2018

Asian J. Research Chem. 2018; 11(2):485-496.

DOI:10.5958/0974-4150.2018.00088.3