International Research Journal of Environment Sciences__________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 49 Quality Assessment of Surface Water in Gandhamardan Iron ore Mining area of Keonjhar District, Odisha, India Pradhan K. Patra A.K2 Department of Zoology, D.B. College, Turumunga, Keonjhar, Odisha, INDIA Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 77th September 2015, revised 12th October 2015, accepted 13th November 2015 AbstractSurface run-off from the mining during exploration and excavation get laden with aluminous laterite soil from mine benches. Direct discharge of the surface runoff to the natural nallas (streams) affects the water quality. So in this context the present work focuses on surface water quality in Gandhamardan iron ore mining area. The physico-chemical characteristics were estimated during winter, summer and rainy seasons for two consecutive years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The parametes like p, Total hardness, Alkalinity, BOD, COD, TDS, Iron, Chloride, Sulphate were assessed at four sampling sites. The result showed that water qualities of all locations were within the permissible limits except for Dissolved Oxygen, Iron contents and Turbidity. DO contents ranged from 1.26mg/l to 3.03mg/l in 2011-12 and 1.0 mg/l to 3.08 mg/l in 2012-13, Iron ranged from 1.00 mg/l to3.50 mg/l in 2011-12 and 1.00 mg/l to 3.56 mg/l in 2012-13and turbidity (NTU) ranged from 15 to 24 in 2011-12 and 16 to 28 in 2012-13. Keywords: Surface water, physico-chemical parameters, WHO standard. Introduction Water is precious to life. Besides drinking, it has been used in agriculture, industry and other domestic purposes. But, due to excess anthropogenic interferences the surface water as well as the ground water, it has been degrading its’ physico-chemical properties day by day. Natural resources degradation, deforestation, surface mining during exploration ,excavation and mineral processing contribute to affect the nearby flowing streams or Nallas bringing stress upon the aquatic life2,3. Keonjhar, one of the mineral rich districts of Odisha (figure-1) occupies huge reserve of high grade Iron ores fulfill the demand of both domestic and world markets. But the places where iron reserves are present are generally in hill tops with steep slopes and in dense forest areas. Two – third of forest land had been diverted for mining activities. Keonjhar is situated between 211’ N to 22 10’ N latitude and 85 11’ E to 860 22’ E longitude. The Gandhamardan hill of Keonjhar District where abundant iron ore resources are reserved is located between 21 37’ 09” N to 210 40’ 06” N latitude and 85 29’ 20” Eto 85 31’ 30” E longitude. In Gandhamardan mining areas there is no mine water discharge and effluent discharge available but surface water (SW) nallas (streams) are available in the vicinity of the mining area. These are Nallas near Jharancrusher (SW),Jagar Nalla (SW), Ichinda Nalla (SW) and Nitigotha Nalla (SW) (table-1). Direct discharge of the surface runoff to the natural nallas affects the water quality of the nallas as well as rivers in the region. Material and Methods The water samples were collected in clean sampler bottles from four different study location sites which were Nalla near Jharana crusher (SW), Jagar Nalla (SW), Ichinda Nalla (SW) and Nitigotha Nalla (SW). The samples were collected quarterly i.e. winter, summer and rainy season of the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. After collection and preservation, the samples were analyzed in the laboratory. Using these samples different physico-chemical parameters like pH, BOD, COD, TDS, Alkalinity, TH, Fe, Chloride and sulphate tests were done as per the specified methods (table-2). The DO samples were collected in DO bottles and were fixed immediately on the spot. The obtained results for respective parameters of the water qualities of the Gandhamardan mining area were compared with BIS Standard of the surface water qualities (table-3). Table-1 Locations of surface water sampling coordinate Locations Sample code Latitude Longitude Nalla near Jharana crusher SW1 210 37’47.40” N 85 20’43.38” E Jagar Nalla SW 210 38’ 20.70” N 850 29’33.72” E Ichinda Nalla SW 210 40’0.06” N 850 30’51.90” E Nitigotha Nalla SW 210 30’50.64”N 850 30’53.88” E International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 50 Figure-1 Map of Study Areas Table-2 Methods of analysis of different parameters of the surface water qualities Parameters Methods of analysis pH meter TDS Gravimetric method BOD 5 days BOD test at 20 COD Open reflux method T. Fe 1, 10 Phenanthroline Colorimetric method Turbidity Nephlo Turbidometric method SO-2 Spectrophotometer TH Titrometric Method Using EDTA Table-3 Test characteristics of surface water (BIS Standard) Parameters Permissible Limit pH 6.5-8.5 TDS (mg/l) 500 BOD (mg/l) 2.0 COD (mg/l) 20 TH (mg/l) 300 DO (mg/l) 5 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 51 Results and Discussion Various physico-chemical parameters of surface water along with their seasonal variation (Winter, Summer, and Rainy season) during 2011-13 were recorded, analyzed and discussed below (tables-4 to 15). pH: The pH of water samples varied from 6.0 to 7.40 during the year 2011-12 and 6.0 to 7.35 during the year 2012-13. The pH of water samples was minimum 6.0 at the location SW2 during winter, summer and at SW4 during summer. It suggested the water is found to be more acidic. In the year 2012-13 it was also found that at location SW2 the pH value was 6.0 and highest 7.35 at SW4 during rainy season which was slightly alkaline. The acidic nature of water is mainly because of mixing of lechates from mines which is acidic in nature. The permissible limit is 6.5 to 8.5.TDS (Total Dissolved solids): Total Dissolved solids were mainly due to presence of organic and inorganic material in water body. TDS of the Nallas ranged from 100 mg/l to 234mg/l in 2011-12 and 110 mg/l to 240 mg/l in 2012-13. The recommended level of TDS for the protection of aquatic life, irrigation and domestic uses is 210-250 mg/l. All the locations during rainy season of both the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 showed the value within recommended level. This was within 210-234 mg/l in 2011-12 and 220-240 mg/l in 2012-13.TH (Total Hardness): In general the hardness of water reflects the nature of the geological formations with which it has been in contact. During the analysis TH in samples was found in the range of 40 mg/l to 70mg/l in the year 2011-12 where as 40mg/l to 72 mg/l in the year 2012-13 which were within the permissible limit.BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand): The variation in BOD is the direct and important indicator of organic pollution. It is a measure of the quality of oxygen consumed by different microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter. BOD of the study locations ranged from 1.0 mg/l to 2.7mg/l in the year 2011-12 where as 1.0mg/l to 2.9mg/l in the year 2012-13. BOD value was maximum at SW3 and SW4 I in rainy season during 2011-12 and 2012-13, than other two locations in both the years 2011-12 and 2012-13 which were having within permissible limit. BOD level of 3.0-6.0mg/l is the permissible protection range for aquatic life.COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): The chemical oxygen demand gives the total amount of organic matter present in the water. COD is used as a measurement of pollutants in waste water and natural water. COD value of surface water was ranged from 5.0 mg/l to 6.9 mg/l in all the locations during 2011-12 where as it was 5.0 mg/l to 7.0 mg/l in 2012-13. COD was within permissible range.Chloride: Chlorides in reasonable concentration are not harmful to human. At concentration above 250 mg/l, gives an unpleasant and undesirable salty taste. Chloride test served as the basis of detecting contamination of surface water as well as ground water. Chloride value ranged from 11 mg/l to 25 mg/l at all the locations in the year 2011-12 where as 14 mg/l to 28 mg/l in 2012-13 at all the locations. According to WHO, the permissible limit of chloride percentage was 250 mg/l which is quite good for all types of fresh water life. In these study locations chloride content was within the normal limit.Turbidity (NTU): Turbidity is due to presence of colloids and suspended matters. Turbidity values of surface water ranged from 15 to 24 in the year 2011-12 where as 16 to 28 in 2012-13 at all the locations throughout all the seasons. Due to overburden and unending transport service inside the mining areas, the amount of turbidity in the water at all the sampling locations was above permissible limit. The turbidity limit according to WHO is 5 NTU. Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Dissolved oxygen depends on temperature, solubility, solar illumination, respiration, productivity and abundance of phytoplankton. Animal as well as plant life depends upon the Dissolved Oxygen (DO). DO is depleted because of the pollutants. The increased pollutants lower the oxygen level in the water. A rise in temperature also decreases the oxygen content of water10Table-4 pH value of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW1 6.1 6.2 6.98 6.2 5.5 6.88 SW 6.0 6.0 6.82 6.0 5.8 6.90 SW 6.25 6.68 7.25 6.5 6.0 7.12 SW 6.5 6.0 7.40 6.5 6.5 7.35 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 52 Table-5 TDS value (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar 2011-12, 2012-13 Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 134 120 234 135 130 230 SW 106 100 206 110 110 240 SW 118 110 218 125 118 220 SW 110 100 210 120 120 230 Table-6 BOD value (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.8 SW 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.5 SW 1.5 1.4 2.7 1.4 1.4 2.9 SW 1.8 1.3 2.4 1.5 1.3 2.5 Table-7 COD value (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 5.0 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.0 5.5 SW 5.0 5.3 5.9 5.2 5.5 6.0 SW 6.0 5.9 6.3 6.1 5.2 6.3 SW 6.0 6.1 6.9 6.0 5.4 7.0 Table-8 Turbidity (NTU) contents of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, KeonjharLocations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 20 21 22 16 18 25 SW 18 17 19 19 19 20 SW 17 15 24 18 21 28 SW 18 16 21 20 21 27 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 53 Table-9 DO (mg/l) contents of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 1.26 1.20 2.03 1.06 1.20 2.06 SW 2.05 1.45 3.00 1.08 2.00 3.06 SW 2.25 2.00 3.03 1.00 1.56 3.08 SW 1.45 1.50 2.05 1.40 1.36 2.09 Table-10 Total Hardness (mg/l) contents of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 40 41 40 42 40 45 SW 42 45 56 56 51 62 SW 44 55 64 55 52 65 SW 50 52 70 58 61 72 Table-11 Chloride contents (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, KeonjharLocations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 21 22 25 19 20 28 SW 16 17 19 19 20 21 SW 11 12 16 14 15 17 SW 17 18 21 17 16 22 Table-12 Iron contents (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Ghandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar Locations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 1.00 0.46 3.03 1.00 1.20 2.66 SW 2.00 1.00 3.50 1.08 1.50 3.56 SW 2.00 2.00 3.28 1.00 1.56 3.08 SW 1.00 1.50 2.50 1.30 1.46 2.09 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 54 Table-13 Sulphate contents (mg/l) of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, KeonjharLocations 2011-12 2012-13 Winter Summer Rainy Winter Summer Rainy SW 11 12 14 16 15 17 SW 13 15 19 17 16 22 SW 14 15 16 17 14 18 SW 15 18 21 19 15 24 Table-14 Average results of physicochemical parameters of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar during 2011-12Parameters Locations Mean Std. Dev. SW SW SW SW pH 6.9 6.2 6.7 6.3 6.5 0.44 TDS 162 137 148 140 146 8.32 BOD 1.1 1.0 1.8 1.8 1.4 0.75 COD 5.0 5.4 6.0 6.3 5.6 0.51 Chloride 22 17 13 18 17.5 3.20 Iron 1.49 2.16 2.42 1.66 1.93 0.37 Turbidity 21 18 18 18 18.5 2.64 Sulphate 12 16 15 1.8 15.2 4.33 Total hardness 40 47 54 57 66 17.76 Table-15Average results of physicochemical parameters of surface water at different locations of Gandhamardan mining area, Keonjhar during 2012-13 Parameters LocationsMean Std. Dev. SW SW SW SW pH 6.1 6.2 6.5 6.4 6.3 0.15 TDS 166 153 154 156 157 10.34 BOD 1.3 1.2 1.9 1.7 1.5 0.28 COD 5.2 5.5 5.8 6.1 5.6 0.33 Chloride 22 20 15 18 18.5 2.59 Iron 1.42 2.07 1.88 1.61 1.74 0.24 Turbidity 19 19 22 25 21.25 2.48 Sulphate 16 18 19 19 16.5 1.93 Total hardness 42 56 64 63 56.25 8.78 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 55 It was found that the DO content ranged from 1.26mg/l to 3.03 mg/l in 2011-12 and 1.00mg/l to 3.08mg/l in 2012-13 at all the sampling locations. This indicated the very low concentration of DO because of the mixing of mud, washed effluents from mine water to the Nallas. The low value of DO indicates the high growth of bacteria that utilized oxygen for their metabolic activities11. Generally DO level less than 3mg/l are stressful to aquatic organisms. The surface water of the locations like SW, SW, SW and SW4 were badly polluted during winter and summer in both the years. Iron: The iron contents found very high ranging from 1.00 mg/l to 3.50 mg/l in 2011-12 and from 1.00 mg/l to 3.56 mg/l in 2012-13 at different locations. Water with very high iron contents is not suitable for human consumption. Unfortunately, the inhabitants are in continuous use of such water resulting in various skin diseases. Although, the permissible limit is 1.0 mg/l (WHO), health hazards have also been reported among the inhabitants of that area having iron content above 0.3mg/l12Sulphate: The Sulphate contents ranged from 11mg/l to 21mg/l in the year 2011-12 where as in 2012-13 ranged from 14mg/l to 24mg/l. The mean Sulphate contents found are recorded to be 15.2±4.33 in 2011-12 and 16.5±1.93 in 2012-13. Although the minimum permissible sulphate. content in water is 600mg/l, such a low content of sulphate in the respective mining area was an indication of low growth of aquatic plants as well as animals in general and fish community in particular.Mean and standard Deviation: After thorough analysis throughout the year 2011-12 and 2012-13, very slight deviation from mean value was found in all the parameters (figure-2). Conclusion The parameters of the surface water quality of the Gandhamardan iron ore area indicate that except DO, Turbidity and Iron contents, all others parameters were within permissible limits (B I S Standard). Inadequate sulphate content followed by very low concentration of DO was due to the mixing of dust, mud, and washed effluents from mine water to the nallas and high turbidity level prevent the growth of aquatic flora and fauna. Similarly, high concentration of iron accumulation in the surface water of the study area became the cause of water-borne skin diseases. The overall picture that emerged out of the present study warrants sustainable management of the ecosystem of the Gandhamardan mining area. The Gandhamardan mining authority is hereby suggested to implement some action plans for monitoring of the surface water quality in the mining area properly. Figure-2 Mean values of surface water quality in the Gandhamardan mining area during 2011-13 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences ______________________________________________ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(12), 49-56, December (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. 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