New Delhi, Dec 8, 2008 : A team of scientists discovered alarming water quality in Ganga’s lower reaches.They created the Water Quality Index (WQI), which is a baseline for the area. They also reported a steady decline in water quality.
Rapid human pressure and anthropogenic activity have led to the release of untreated municipal and industry sewages and other pollutants into the River Ganga.”In particular, the River Ganga’s lower stretches, near Kolkata, are heavily affected by anthropogenic factors.This is mainly due to intense pressure from the river banks.
According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the study has shown a significant increase in untreated municipal and industrial sewages.This has had devastating effects on many unique biodiversity ecosystems like the Sundarbans mangrove or endangered charismatic species like the Gangetic Dolphin.
Professor Punyasloke Bhaduriy, from the Integrative Taxonomy & Microbial Ecology Research group (ITMERG), Kolkata, monitored nine stations that spanned 50 km of the lower stretches.This was done over two years to study the dynamics of key environmental variables such as forms of dissolved nitrogen and biological proxies to assess Ganga’s health.
According to the statement, the WQI for the place was a key indicator that helps to understand the ecological and health consequences of River Ganga’s lower stretch.
Department of Science and Technology (DST-Water Technology Initiative) has supported the group in this important study, published in the journal “Environment Research Communications” recently.
Their study revealed that the WQI values for this stretch of river ranged from 14 to 52 and was constantly deteriorating regardless of the season.They also identified the point source and type of pollutants along the 50-kilometer stretch of the river.
This required immediate intervention to ensure effective river basin management.
The statement said that the findings of this study will be crucial for long-term ecological monitoring of the lower River Ganga and the integration of sensors and automated automation.
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