PHYSICO-CHEMICAL

ASSESSMENT OF KRISHNA RIVER AT

KARAD, SATARA DISTRICT (MAHARASHTRA)
S.D. Jadhav*,

D.G. Kanase**, R.W. .Iawale=,

M.S. Jadhav***

* Bharati Vidyapeeth University, College of Engineering, Pune 411043.

(Department of Engineering Science)
** Bharati Vidyapeeth University,
Matoshri Bayabai Shripatrao Kadam Mahavidyalaya, Kadegaon, Dist.Sangli.
***Sinhgad Technical Education Society's Sou. Venutai Chavan Polytechnic,
Pune
(Department of civil Engineering)

Abstract: The physico-chemical parameters of Krishna river water were studied and analysed for
a period of one year during April 2006 to December 2006.The analysis was done for the
parameters like pH, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen Demand (BOD),
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Chloride, Sulphate, Calcium, Magnesium and
Hardness. The study report discusses about the analysis of various physico-chemical
parameters

Keywords:

- Physico-chemical

parameters, Krishna river, water pollution.

Introduction: Krishna Basin extends over an area of258,948 km2 which is nearly 8 % of total
geographical area of the country. Krishna river rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation
of about 1337 mjust north of Mahabaleshwar, about 64 km from the Arabian Sea and
flows for about 1400 km and outfalls into the bay of Bengal. The principal tributaries
joining Krishna are the Ghataprabha, Malprabha, Bhima, Tungabhadra, Musi and
Koyana.The important soil types found in the basin are black soils, red soils, mixed soils,
red and black soils, saline soils. Ecologically, this is one of the disastrous rivers in the
world, in that it causes heavy soil erosion during the monsoon season. River causes a
high degree of erosion between June and August. During this time river takes fertile soil
from Maharashtra, Kamataka and Western Andrapradesh towards the delta region.
Temples like Dattatryatemple, which is very dear to the people of Maharashtra is located
on the bank of Krishna at Narsoba wadi and Ramling Temple located on the bank of river
Krishna near Sangli.

In early days, water was primarily used for domestic needs like drinking, washing,
bathing and cooking etc. But due to industrial and urban development, requirement of
water for these activities has increased along with domestic purpose. Water of good
quality is required for living organisms. The quality of water is described by its physical,
chemical and microbial characteristics. But if, some correlations were possible among
these parameters, then significant ones would be fairly useful to indicate the quality of
water (Dhembare et.al, 1997). The deterioration of quality, loss of biodiversity and fast
depletion of water resources are the main challenges, which need urgent attention. The
limnological study gives the proper direction in decision-making processes for problems
like pollution control, fish and other aquatic lives. This represents the organic material
available in particulate form on which the animal population of aquatic ecosystem
depends directly or indirectly. The studies of physico-chemical parameters are used to
detect the effects of pollution on the water quality.
It is well known that water bodies have played a crucial role in the growth and
development of society. All settlements across the globe have started along water bodies
and rivers. However it is true that the water bodies have undergone degradation in
modem times. Urban growth, increased industrial activities, intensive farming and over
use of fertilizers in agricultural productions are identified as drivers responsible for
degradation. Increasing urbanization coupled with industrialization during past few years
have resulted into depleting water ecosystems of major cities.

Causes of water pollution: Water supply systems are important, but at the same time wastewater treatment
systems are also equally important. Approximately 80% of water turns to waste water
after its utilization. This wastewater should be properly treated before discharging into
any water body. In case of river as a receiving body, when waste water is discharged on
upstream side of river, downstream community uses the same water from the river for its
day to day needs. Hence it is very much important that wastewater should be properly
treated before discharging into river and maintaining sanctity of river. The sewage either
seeps into the soils or pollutes ground water or it flows through streams and rivers and
pollutes surface water.

Experimental:

The water samples were collected in the period of April 2006 to December
2006. The samples for the analysis were collected in sterilized bottles using the
Standard Method Of American Public Health Association (1995). The parameters
and methods used for the said examination are detailed in.

Table No: I
Parameters and methods employed in the chemical examination of samples.
Sr. No.
L

Parameters of water anaIvsis

2.

pH
D.O.

3.

RO.D.

4.
5.

C.O.D.
Chloride
Sulphate
Calcium
Magnesium
Hardness

6.
1.

8.

9.

Methods
Potentiometric
Azide modification
Azide modification
Dichromate reflux
Gravimetric
Spectrophotometric
Titrimetric
Titrimetric
Titrimetric

Table No:II
Physico-Chemical
Sr
No

Parameters

L pH
2. D.O.
3. RO.D.
4. C.O.D.
5. Chloride
6. Sulphate
7. Calcium
8. Magnesium
9. Hardness

Characteristics of Krishna River

April

June

August

October

December

2006
7.7
7.4
12.9
32
52

2006
7.8
6-2
7.8
28
89
4.8
65
63
159

2006
7.5
5.8
6.2
24
77
4.2
69
70
168

2006
7.2
5.6
7.2
26
68
4.1
71
68
140

2006
7.1
4.9
6.9
26
49
11.6
52
54
135

12

73
76
172

Results and Discussion: The analytical results for the various parameters have been shown in the
table no. II.
The pH range was recorded in the range 7.1 to 7.8. pH of water is important
for the biotic compound because most of the plant and animal species can survive
a narrow of pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline condition. According to
Shaikh, Nisar and Yeragi (2003) pH is considered to be most important factor
particularly in the case of the green algae. Das et. al, (1961), observed that high
pH values coincided with plankton peak. The lower values of pH during rainy
season may be due to the dilution of alkaline substances or dissolution of
atmospheric carbon dioxide, Shaikh, Nisar and Yeragi (2003).
The dissolved oxygen was varied from 4.9 to 7.4 mg/l during study. The
dissolved oxygen is found to be maximum in the month of December and
minimum in the month of April. Dissolved oxygen in water at a given temperature
depends on factors like temperature of water. The dissolved oxygen almost all
plants and animal need for respiration.

The biochemical oxygen demand was recorded from 6.2 to 12.9 mg/l and
chemical oxygen demand was recorded in between 24 to 32 mg/I.
The chloride varied from 49 to 89 mg/l, the amount present do not exceed
the maximum permissible limit i.e. 500mg/I.for drinking water prescribed by
WHO. In high concentrations, chlorides in urban areas are indicators of large
amounts of non-point pollution; pesticides, grease and oil, metals and other toxic
materials with high levels of chloride.
The Sulphate range observed is 4.1 to 12 mg/l in the entire examination.
The maximum amount observed is in the month of April 2006; which may be due
to agricultural runoff. The calcium levels varied from 52 to 73 mg/I. The
magnesium levels varied from 54 to 76 mg/I. The hardness ranged from 135 to
172 mg/I. The maximum values were during monsoon while minimum values
were during winter. The calcium is one of the alkaline earth metals. The calcium
is not known to indicate or produce any hazardous effect on human health,
(kulkarni R.R 2002).
Acknowledgement:
Kadam and Principal
provided.

- The authors are thankful to the Hon. Dr. Shivajirao

K.D.Jadhav for constant encouragement and facilities

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