International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 4(4), 6-11, April (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 6 Determination of Gross Alpha Activity and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Borewell Samples of Mysore District, IndiaSuriyanarayanan S , Anil K M, Divya L, Jessen George, Magesh S.B and Rashmi R Department of Water and Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, JSS University, SS Nagar, Mysore, Karnataka-570015, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 4th July 2014, revised 19th February 2015, accepted 17th March 2015 AbstractA study was conducted in Mysore District, Karnataka to determine the gross alpha and physico-chemical parameters of drinking water quality from bore wells samples. The purpose of the study to determine the gross alpha activity of bore well samples of Mysore district and to create a baseline data for ascertaining possible changes in environmental radioactivity due to nuclear, industrial and other human activities. In this study bore well water samples were collected from seven taluk headquarters of Mysore district from January 2014 to March 2014 were subjected to determine the gross alpha activity analysis and detection of physico-chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, chloride, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium, and magnesium. From this study, it was observed that in most of the locations the quality of water is exceeding the prescribed limits of drinking water. As most of the water samples do not meet the water quality standards, it is recommended that water is not suitable for direct consumption without prior treatment. Keywords: Gross alpha; physico-chemical; water quality; radioactivity, background radiation. Introduction Ground water is the one of the earth’s most important and most widespread and highly used resource. Over half of the fresh water on earth is stored as groundwaterThe increasing interaction of radioactivity and its applications have brought about the need for an assessment of human exposure to radiation. In ground water the physical characteristics of the solid aquifer influences the radionuclide concentration in the stored water. These solids aquifers or rocks known as geological materials usually contain some trace amounts of radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium decay series and non-series of40 K, which may dissolve into groundwater system during water/rocks-soils interaction mechanism. Considering the presence of these natural radionuclide’s in the groundwater system and the radio toxicity to human, consumption of groundwater with high amounts of natural radionuclide’s may rise to internal exposure caused by the decay of natural radionuclide’s taken into body through ingestion as well as inhalation. During the decay process, they release several alpha and beta particles which are also responsible for natural radioactivity as well as artificial. Determination of gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration levels in groundwater are of particular interest for routine monitoring of radioactivity levels in groundwater resources. Hence, there is a necessity to examine naturally occurring radioactivity in the environment, especially the occurrence of natural radioactivity in groundwater. If the radioactivity level of groundwater is beyond tolerable limits, it could result into several health hazards among the population. In India few studies has been carried out to determine various chemical parameters in ground water7,8,9. But very few studies are available for the Karnataka region7,10. There is no systematic study under taken to determine the natural background radiation especially gross alpha activity in the ground water quality of Mysore district, Karnataka. In the view of the above present study aims to assess the natural background radiation as gross alpha activity and physico-chemical parameters of the bore well waters in the taluk headquarters of Mysore district. Material and Methods Study area: The study was carried out in taluk headquarters of Mysore district. Mysore is one of the major tourist destination in India and second largest city in the state of Karnataka, which lies between 1218’ N latitude and 760 39’ E longitudes and 770m above sea level. The present study focused on seven taluk headquarters of Mysore district. They are Krishna Raja Nagar, Periyapatna, Hunsur, Heggada Devana Kote, Mysore, Nanjangud and Tirumakuda Narsipur. Collection of Water samples: Water samples were collected from bore wells of seven taluk headquarters of Mysore district from January 2014 to March 2014. The samples were collected in a pre-cleaned, sterilized polyethylene bottles. The samples were subjected to determine the gross alpha activity analysis and detection of physico-chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, chloride, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium, and magnesium. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 4(4), 6-11, April (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 7 Figure-1 Location Map of the Study Area Results and Discussion The observed Gross alpha and physico-chemical parameters showed considerable variations in different samples. The observations are depicted in table-1 and 2. Gross Alpha Activity: The values of the activity concentrations of the Gross alpha measured in the ground water samples are given in (table-1). The minimum and maximum elevation was observed as 575-821 mts respectively above the sea level. In the present study the gross alpha activity concentration of the ground water samples ranged from 0.0043 Bq/L – 0.018 Bq/L. WHO, (2011) advised that 0.1 Bq/L for gross alpha activity is the limit value for drinking water. It is found that (figure-2) the Gross alpha activity concentrations of the samples are lower than the recommended upper limit value of 0.1 Bq/L. The Gross alpha activity of the ground water samples were randomly collected at different villages from each taluks in Mysore District, were measured to check the compliance with national and international regulation and obtain the data which can be used as a base line for ascertaining possible changes in environmental radioactivity due to nuclear, industrial and other human activities. Physico-chemical Analysis of Water: pH: In the presence study the average pH value of the water samples are alkaline ranging from 7.02-7.5 (Table-2) during the sampling period. According to standard all the samples have pH values within the prescribed limit. Conductivity: The electrical conductivity of water samples ranging from 549 µmho-2334 µmho. In the present study most of the areas with the permissible limit except Periyapatna. In this study it was concluded that most of the samples do not have corrosive property and needs minimal treatment before used. Total Dissolved solids: In this study the concentration of total dissolved solids is ranging from 356-1526 mg/L. It is found that all samples are within the limit except Periyapatna according to WHO (2011). It may influence the taste, hardness and corrosive property of the water.12,13 The result indicates that the bore well waters are unfit for direct consumption it requires pre-treatment before use. Alkalinity: In the present study the observed values of alkalinity in seven taluks of Mysore district ranged between 235-612 mg/L. In the present study the Periyapatna sample is exceeding the prescribed range of 600mg/L (BIS, 2012). Total Hardness: The observed value of Total Hardness in seven taluks of Mysore District is ranged from 475-1333 mg/L as CaCo. In comparison with the prescribed standard of BIS, (2012)14 and WHO, (2011) all samples had hardness exceeding the limits except Mysore. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 4(4), 6-11, April (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 8 Table-1 Gross Alpha Activity of Bore well Water samples of Mysore District Sl.No Name of taluks Latitude and Longitude Elevation in meters Name of the villages Gross Alpha Activity (Bq/L) WHO Standard (2011) (Bq/L) 1 H D Kote 1205’12.087 7619’52.841 626 Annur 0.0083 0.1 Sagare 0.0079 0.1 Mullur 0.0080 0.1 N.begur 0.0081 0.1 N.belthur 0.0085 0.1 2 Periyapatna 1220’06.292 7605’57.015 783 Abbur 0.0067 0.1 Begur 0.0069 0.1 Halasoor 0.0070 0.1 Kambipura 0.0071 0.1 Uthenahalli 0.0068 0.1 3 Hunsur 1218’20.725 7622’40.777 655 Attiguppe 0.0097 0.1 Dallalu 0.0099 0.1 Harave 0.0092 0.1 Sonahalli 0.0093 0.1 Udduru 0.0094 0.1 4 K R Nagar 1226’20.930 7622’50.138 821 Abburu 0.0048 0.1 Bherya 0.0043 0.1 Kuppe 0.0045 0.1 Sakkare 0.0046 0.1 Thippur 0.0051 0.1 5 T.Narasipura 1212’33.342 7654’12.217 575 Alagudu 0.0090 0.1 Vatalu 0.0093 0.1 Maliyuru 0.0088 0.1 Hegguru 0.0084 0.1 Seehalli 0.0095 0.1 6 Nanjangud 1207’10.128 7640’43.952 601 Akala 0.013 0.1 Debur 0.010 0.1 Golur 0.011 0.1 Suthur 0.015 0.1 Yedahalli 0.014 0.1 7 Mysore 1218’00.657 7638’51.886 667 Anandur 0.0083 0.1 Belavadi 0.0085 0.1 Daripura 0.0089 0.1 Hosakote 0.0081 0.1 Varuna 0.0082 0.1 Calcium and Magnesium: In the present study calcium concentration ranged between 123-447 mg/L and Magnesium concentration ranged between 250- 1076 mg/L (table-2). It is found that all the samples except that from Nanjangud exceeds from the prescribed standards of BIS, (2012) and WHO, (2011). The Magnesium Hardness exceeds the permissible limit for all the samples compared to the BIS, (2012) and WHO, (2011). Chloride: In the present study the chloride values of the selected 7 locations ranged from 48-355 mg/L (table-2) and found that most of the samples are below the prescribed value except periyapatna 354 mg/L. The Periyapatna sample is not fit for direct consumption without suitable treatment and it may affect the taste, corrosion and palatability. Dissolved Oxygen: In the present study all the water sample analysed has dissolved oxygen content ranging from 3.7- 5.0 mg/l (table-2) and are found that the values are within the limit of CPCB, (2004) values of 6 mg/L. BOD: In the present study all the water samples ranges from 0.3-1.6 mg/L. The highest degree of biochemical oxygen demand (1.6 mg/L) was observed from KR Nagar site and the lowest level (0.3 mg/L) was observed from Mysore. COD: The chemical oxygen demand ranges from 0.7 mg/L- 4.9 mg/L. In the present study all the chemical oxygen demand values are in within the prescribed limits of BIS, (2012). International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 4(4), 6-11, April (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 9 Table-2 Physico-chemical parameters of bore well water samples of mysore Parameters Months H D Kote Periyapatna Hunsur K R Nagar T. Narasipura Nanjangud Mysore BIS (2012) WHO (2011) pH January 7.7 7.7 7.5 7.2 7.6 7.6 7.5 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 February 7.6 7.5 7.3 7.1 7.3 7.5 7.4 March 7.5 7.4 7.1 6.8 7.0 7.4 7.2 Mean 7.6 7.5 7.3 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.3 Temp (C) January 24 23 22 21 24 23 24 - - February 25 26 23 26 27 26 25 March 26 27 28 28 29 28 27 Mean 25 25 23 25 26 25 25 Conductivity (µmho) January 1297 2056 1299 580 802 479 457 - 1400 (µmho) February 1352 2388 1378 612 990 521 509 March 1423 2560 1440 772 1026 649 615 Mean 1357 2334 1372 654 939 549 527 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) January 854 1307 809 314 556 340 315 2000 (mg/L) 1000 (mg/L) February 912 1544 910 381 593 308 348 March 942 1728 958 526 695 426 407 Mean 902 1526 892 407 614 358 356 Alkalinity (mg/L) January 480 590 208 290 389 256 198 600 500 February 508 610 271 314 471 302 211 March 564 636 392 400 520 352 296 Mean 517 612 290 334 460 303 235 Chloride (mg/L) January 180.013 301.014 181.001 76.118 103.019 59.018 39.117 1000 250 February 203.101 356.310 201.215 81.314 143.118 69.104 49.414 March 238.507 407.107 230.283 90.468 193.273 78.131 57.570 Mean 207.207 354.810 204.166 82.633 146.47 68.751 48.700 Total Hardness (mg/L) January 1295 958 1270 600 998 538 403 600 500 February 1320 1001 1314 629 1014 601 480 March 1384 1072 1400 704 1072 688 544 Mean 1333 1010 1328 644 1028 609 475 Calcium (mg/L) January 240 414 421 289 318 99 191 200 200 February 251 440 439 308 325 112 229 March 280 488 480 328 368 160 256 Mean 257 447 446 308 337 123 225 Magnesium (mg/L) January 1055 544 849 311 680 439 212 100 50 February 1069 561 875 321 689 489 251 March 1104 584 920 376 704 528 288 Mean 1076 563 881 336 691 485 250 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) January 4.9 4.5 4.3 4.8 3.4 4.5 4.8 CPCB (6mg/L) - February 5.0 4.7 4.6 5.0 3.8 4.7 5.0 March 5.2 4.8 4.8 5.2 4.0 4.8 5.2 Mean 5.0 4.6 4.5 5.0 3.7 4.6 5.0 BOD (mg/L) January 1.0 0.5 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.5 0.2 - - February 1.1 0.6 0.6 1.8 0.6 0.6 0.3 March 1.2 0.8 0.8 2 0.8 0.8 0.4 Mean 1.1 0.6 0.6 1.6 0.6 0.6 0.3 COD (mg/L) January 3.1 1.3 1.1 4.2 1.1 1.0 0.4 250 mg/L - February3.31.61.65.11.51.40.7 March3.52.42.35.42.32.31.1 Mean 3.3 1.7 1.6 4.9 1.6 1.5 0.7 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 4(4), 6-11, April (2015) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 10 Figure-2 Gross Alpha Activity of Bore well Water Samples of Mysore District Conclusion In this present study the gross alpha activity concentration of the samples shows that the values are lower than the prescribed limit (WHO, 2011). The detection of physico-chemical parameters it was observed that in most of the locations the quality of water is exceeding the prescribed limit as per BIS, (2012) and WHO, (2011) standard. The purpose of the study is to check the compliance with national and international regulations and obtain the data which can be used as a baseline for ascertaining possible changes in environmental radioactivity due to nuclear, industrial and other human activities. This is the first attempt to study the radioactivity concentration in ground water samples of Mysore district. Further detailed study has to be done in order to identify the variation of gross alpha activity in different seasons. The gross alpha activity is found to be within the limits of WHO standards and the physico-chemical parameters are indicates that the quality of the water varies from place to place. Higher values of certain parameters indicate the unfitness of water for drinking purpose. Therefore, it is suggested that further detailed study required in this study area with more samples. It is also suggested more emphasis should be given to reduce total hardness, conductivity, alkalinity, TDS, chloride etc, contents wherever these parameters exceeding the limits of the standards. Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST) for providing financial support through Young Scientist Scheme to the corresponding author. References 1.Ayodele J T and Abubakar M K., Trace Elements Contamination of Rain water in the Semi-arid Region of Kano, Nigeria, Journal of Environmental Management Health, 9(4)(1998)2.El-Mageed A. A. I., El-Hadi A., Abbady A. E. 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