Water Quality Assessment of Bellandur Lake in Bangalore City, Karnataka, India

Water Quality Assessment of Bellandur Lake in Bangalore City, Karnataka, India

Ramesh. N Department of Civil Engineering Government Engineering College

K.R.Pet-571 426, Mandya District, Karnataka, India

Krishnaiah. S Department of Civil Engineering JNTUA College of Engineering

Kalikiri 517 234, Chittoor District, (AP), India

Abstract- Lake water is a source of drinking and domestic use for rural and urban population of India. The aim of current study was to assess water quality of Bellandur Lake water, Bangalore. For this, lake water samples were collected from twelve different locations on the basis of their importance were analyzed for the parameters like Temperature, Colour , Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity, Sulphate, Nitrate, Chloride, Phosphate, Fluoride , Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Some heavy metals i.e., Iron, Zinc, Cadmium, Nickal, Chromium, Copper, Arsenic and Lead were also analyzed. The study report discusses about the analysis of lake water quality.

Keywordslakewater, water quality, water pollution, physicochemical conditions, heavy metals.

I.INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most important natural resource available to mankind. Knowing the importance of water for sustenance of life, the need for conservation of water bodies especially the fresh water bodies is being realized everywhere in the world [2]. Global fresh water is the most precious human resource frequently earth is called blue planet because water covers about 75% of the globe, but most of the water is saline. Less than 5% of water is fresh and much of this water is in the ice caps, glaciers and groundwater. Most of the remainder is in lakes, streams and soil moister [3].The global water scenario is very much alarming. It is predicted that if at all a third world war takes place; the reason for it will be water [4]. The World Health Organisation (2006) reports mentioned that approximately 36% of urban and 65% of rural Indians were without access to safe drinking water [7]. Fresh Water is essential to existence of life. Water of acceptable quality is essential not only for drinking and domestic purposes but also for agriculture, industrial and commercial uses [5]. The availability of water is an important factor in the establishment of the earliest settled communities and even today, the evolution of public water supply systems is tied directly to the growth of cities and towns. Water is present in abundant quantities on and under the earth surface but less than 1% of it is liquid fresh water. Most of the earths estimated 1.4 billion cubic kilometer (326 million cubic miles) of water is in the oceans or is frozen in polar ice caps and glaciers. Ocean water contains about 35 g/litre (4.5 ounces per gallon) of dissolved minerals or salts. These make it unfit for drinking and for most industrial or agricultural uses. Although it may not always be

available at the times and place it is needed, and it is not uniformly distributed over the earth. In many locations, however, the availability of good quality water is reduced as a result of rapidly increasing urbanization and industrialization with their attendant environmental pollution problems [6]. India is facing a serious problem of natural resource scarcity, especially that of water in view of population growth and economic development. Most of fresh water bodies all over the world are getting polluted, thus decreasing the potability of water. All life is depend on water and exists in nature in many forms like ocean, river, lake, clouds, rain, snow and fog etc. [1].

Due to growth of Population, advancement in agriculture, urbanization and industrialization has made surface water pollution a great problem and decreased the availability of drinking water. Many parts of the world face such a scarcity of water. Most of wastewaters are dumped straight into rivers, lakes and estuaries without any treatment. Lakes are important feature of the Earths landscape which are not only the source of precious water, but provide valuable habitats to plants and animals, moderate hydrological cycles, influence microclimate, enhance the aesthetic beauty of the landscape and extend many recreational opportunities to humankind [8]. Heavy metals are the most dangerous contaminants since they are persistent and accumulate in water, sediments and in tissues of the living organisms, through two mechanisms, namely bio- concentration (uptake from the ambient environment and bio- magnification (uptake through the food chain) [13].The objective of this study is to Water Quality assessment of Bellandur Lake in Bangalore city, Karnataka, India. This carried out to understand the pollution (physic-chemical and some heavy metals) status of lake.

1. STUDY AREA

   Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, has a history of over 400 years. The origin of Bangalore city can be traced back to 1537 when it was founded by Late Magadi Kempegowda. Bangalore is the principal administrative, cultural, commercial and industrial centre of the state of Karnataka. The city of Bangalore is situated at an altitude of 920 meters above mean sea level. Geographically it is located on 12.95º N latitude and 77.57º E longitude. The city enjoys a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year. Early 90s boom in the software sector with consequent infrastructure initiatives, has contributed to rise in population, mainly due to migration.

   Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its position as the nation's leading IT exporter. The population of Bangalore as per the 2001 census was 5,686,844 while it was 163,091 in the beginning of the last century (1901). As per provisional reports of census of India, population of Bangalore in 2011 is 84, 25,970 and is the third densely populated city in India having density of 11,000 per square kilometer [9].

   The earliest history of creation of lakes in and around the city is traced to the founders of Bangalorethe Kempe Gowdas

   by damming the natural valley systems by constructing bunds. Most of the lakes and tanks were manmade for purposes of drinking water, irrigation and fishing needs and they have also favorably influenced microclimate of the city. The lake waters have also served as Dhobhi Ghats or places where washer men (dhobis is the locale usage in India), have traditionally used them as a means of livelihood for washing clothes and drying them. The lakes have also served to replenish ground water resources in the vicinity, which are tapped through wells for drinking water. The effect of urbanization has taken some heavy toll on the Beautiful lakes in Bangalore [8].

   Bellandur Lake, the largest in Bangalore city spreads across an area of 892 acres. It is located at latitude of 12°58 N and longitude of 77°35 E at an altitude of 921 m above mean sea level and has a catchment area of 110.94 sq.miles or 287.33 sqm. The water storing capacity of Bellandur lake is 17.66 million cubic feet, being 3km in length and 2.75km in Width. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in Southeast Asia, located about 20 km from the city towards the south-east of Bangalore city which is extremely important ecological zone. It represents what was once a beautiful and wholesome source of water for the city of Bangalore. Storm water used to get stored in the lake, aquatic plants and animals functioned as live treatment plant. Bellandur Lake functioned as the kidney of the city. There was no bioaccumulation of organic waste. The lake was home to a wide vaiety of fauna and attracted many migratory birds from different parts of the country. The lake also provided drinking water to half the citys population, besides being a major fish trading center in the past. Thus Bellandur Lake formed an extremely important ecological zone of the Bangalore city. Bellandur tank is part of the Bellandur drainage system that drains the southern and the Southeastern parts of the city. The tank is a receptor from three chains of tanks. One chain, originates in the north, from Jayamahal, covers the eastern portion and has been referred to as the eastern stream. Another chain originates from the central part of the city, from around the K.R.Market area and covers the central portion and is called the central stream. The other chain, that reaches the tank is through the southwestern region and is called the western stream. Water from this tank flows further east to the Varthur tank, from where it flows down the plateau and eventually into the Pinakani river basin. In 1970s people from as many as 18 villages depended on the waters of Bellandur tank to lead their lives. These included Haralur, Aambalapura, Kudlu, Balagere, Hanathuru, Devara bisanahalli, Kadu bisanahalli, Nagasandra, Kempapura, Belur, Ramagondinahalli, Siddapura, Munne Kolalu, Yemlur, Kariyammana Agrahara, Bhoganahalli and Gunjur. Due to urbanization in 1980s, there was breakage of chains of tanks

   Bellandur Lake

   Figure 1. Extract of Topo sheet 57 H/9 showing the Bellandur Lake

   Bellandur Lake

   Figure 2. Satellite view of Bellandur Lake and its surrounding

   feeding the lake. The breakage in chains, unchecked industrial, residential as well as commercial development, resulted in insufficient rainwater reaching the tank and excess untreated sewerage and effluents laden water flow to the tank. This further led to a decrease in aquatic life, which affected the livelihoods of the fishing community. During the nineties a land near the lake was notified as ring road. This was the period when the city of Bangalore witnessed the growth of Information Technology Industries. Presently a large part of the Bellandur tank is covered by weeds. The colour of the water is dark and opaque in appearance. There is also a foul stench coming from it. There are hardly any birds visible near the tank. At the outlets, downstream of the lake, heavy foaming is visible, indicative of the presence of effluents [8]. Bellandur Lake and its surrounding are shown in Figure 1. (Extract of Topo sheet 57 H/9) and Figure 2. (View of Satellite image). Research work has been carried out to understand the pollution (physic-chemical and some heavy metals) status of lake.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

   Surface water samples for investigations were collected from twelve different sites selected which covered the whole area of the lake during March 2013. Grab samples of water were collected in Polyethylene bottles (2000 ml) were filled with lake water. The sampling locations are shown in Fig. 3. All samples collected were immediately delivered to the analytical laboratory for analysis. The analysis of the following physico- chemical parameters and some heavy metals was carried out using standard methods [10]. Temperature (ºC), Colour, Turbidity (NTU), Electrical Conductivity (EC – s/cm), pH,

   Figure 3. Sampling locations of Bellandur lake

   Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l), Total Hardness (mg/l), Calcium Hardness (mg/l), Magnesium Hardness (mg/l), Alkalinity(mg/l), Sulphate (mg/l), Nitrate (mg/l), Chloride (mg/l), Phosphate (mg/l, Fluoride (mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (DO-mg/l), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD-mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD-mg/l), Iron (mg/l), Zinc (mg/l), Cadmium (mg/l), Nickal (mg/l), Chromium (mg/l), Copper ( mg/l), Arsenic ( mg/l) and Lead (mg/l).The temperature and colour are recorded in the spot. The results were compared with the desirable limit and permissible limit [11, 12].

3. RESULTS

   The physico-chemical and some heavy metals examination of the water samples carried out for the various water quality parameters. The analytical results of the various stations have been shown in table No. 1. In the present study the data revealed that there were considerable variations in the quality with respect to their physicochemical and some heavy metals characteristics.

4. DISCUSSION

   Temperature of water is basically important because it effects biochemical reactions in aquatic organisms. A rise in temperature of water leads to the speeding up of chemical reactions in water, reduces the solubility of gases and amplifies the tastes and odor. Temperature of water found in the range

   27.8 to 29.5 0C. It is also observed from the present study that, the colour of the lake water is also Greyish black to Dark blue because of Weeds and green algal growth population. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of water. Cloudiness is caused by material suspended in water. Clay, silt, organic matter, plankton and other microscopic organisms cause turbidity in natural water. This has been recognized as a valuable limiting factor in the biological productivity of the water bodies. In the present study the turbidity found in the range between 14 to 30.9 NTU. At all the locations exceeds the permissible limit, above 5 NTU consumer acceptance decreases. Electrical Conductivity(EC) – Higher the concentration of acid, base and salts in water, a higher will be the EC, the maximum permissible limit of 500s/cm, in drinking waters as recommended by WHO. In this study the

   value of EC found in the range 1120 to 1220 above the maximum permissible limit. Total dissolved solids (TDS) – It is an important parameter in drinking water quality standard. It develops a particular taste to the water and at higher concentration reduces its potability Water and may cause gastro intestinal irritation with more than 500mg/l. TDS usually have a disagreeably strong taste. High TDS levels generally indicate hard water, which can cause scale buildup in pipes, valves and filters. In the present study the value of TDS found in the range 594 to 827mg/l is above the desirable limit but within the permissible limit as per BIS standard[11]. pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 is normally accepted as suggested by BIS. In this study pH values were found in the range of 7.01to 8.09 in the water samples. At all the locations of sampling points are within the desirable limit. The total hardness found in the range of 200.7 mg/l to 320.4mg/l, except sampling point 3, at all the locations within the desirable limit as per BIS standard. Calcium hardness found in the range of 56.4 mg/l to 80.7 mg/l except sampling point 8 & 10 at all the locations within the desirable limit as per BIS standard and Magnesium hardness found in the range of 14.8 mg/l to 39.8 mg/l except sampling point 1, 3 & 10 at all the locations within the desirable limit as per BIS standard. Hardness exceeds the desirable limit, can cause encrustation in water supply structure and adverse effects on domestic use. Alkalinity found in the range of 450.3 mg/l to 610.1mg/l, at sampling point 6 & 7 exceeds permissible limit and remaining sampling point are between the desirable and permissible limits as per BIS standard .The Alkalinity exceeds the desirable limit, can cause taste become unpleasant. Sulphate found in the range of 32.0 mg/l to 63.2 mg/l, at all the sampling points within the desirable limit as per BIS standard. Nitrate concentration depends on the activity of nitrifying bacteria which in turn get influenced by presence of dissolved oxygen. In the present study the values of nitrate ranged from 12.1to 85.4mg/l, at sampling points 2, 3, 5, 8 & 12 are exceeds the desirable limit as per BIS standard, can cause Methemoglobinemia or blue baby disease. This may be due to the higher phytoplanktonic production, decaying macrophytes and concentration of nutrients owing to the evaporation of lake water with subsequent increase in nitrate value. Chloride found in the range of 142.5 mg/l to 231.6mg/l, at all the sampling point within the desirable limit as per BIS standard. Phosphate

   TABLE 1. Physico-chemical characteristics of Bellandur Lake water

   Sampling points /Parameters	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
   Temperature, 0C	28	27.8	28.4	28	28.4	28.1	28.3	28.6	28.1	29.3	29.5	29.4
   Colour (Visible)	Greyish black									Dark blue
   Turbidity, NTU	16.5	18.3	26.8	20.1	21.2	19.7	23.4	30.9	25.6	16.2	15.1	14.0
   EC, µs/cm	1128	1150	1190	1170	1190	1120	1220	1200	1190	1220	1180	1170
   TDS, mg/l	617	746	594	641	723	827	735	722	789	735	607	732
   pH	7.34	7.35	8.09	7.40	7.42	7.30	7.46	7.12	7.26	7.78	7.16	7.01
   Total Hardness, mg/l	280.2	240.1	320.4	284.6	244.3	248.5	284.6	292.2	200.7	300.9	276.2	288.4
   Calcium, mg/l	56.4	64.1	67.3	72.5	64.1	67.3	64.1	80.7	72.6	76.9	56.6	73.8
   Magnesium, mg/l	34.0	18.4	39.8	24.3	19.4	20.5	29.1	22.3	14.8	30.1	14.8	25.6
   Alkalinity, mg/l	550.1	450.3	600.0	550.4	500.0	600.7	610.1	560.8	550.0	550.5	480.0	510.2
   Sulphate, mg/l	51.3	54.4	56.4	50.9	39.2	32.0	50.3	41.7	63.2	42.5	56.1	51.2
   Nitrate, mg/l	14.6	70.5	50.0	15.4	49.8	12.1	27.9	85.4	24.1	21.3	36.7	79.2
   Chloride, mg/l	213.9	160.3	199.5	231.6	163.9	178.2	217.4	201.4	194.5	196.0	181.7	142.5
   Phosphate, mg/l	9.2	1.5	1.49	2.48	2.35	3.05	1.56	2.76	3.14	3.12	2.59	6.08
   Fluoride, mg/l	1.3	1.4	1.2	1.1	1.5	1.2	1.8	1.2	1.4	1.3	1.4	1.6
   DO, mg/l	4.8	4.6	2.5	3.5	3.2	1.9	2.8	2.4	2.4	2.8	2.5	2.7
   BOD, mg/l	26.4	28.6	72.3	31.5	86.9	64.6	62.0	70.5	69.7	41.8	39.4	55.0
   COD, mg/l	73.92	80.05	206.5	87.57	241.58	187.34	155.5	186.82	201.43	121.22	101.41	156.75
   Iron, mg/l	42.0	33.9	12.7	6.1	38.6	21.6	26.7	53.4	14.3	59.8	5.2	31.5
   Zinc, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.03	0.09	0.073	ND	ND	ND	0.023
   Cadmium, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.02	ND	ND	ND	ND
   Nickal, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.2	1.2	7.69	ND	ND	ND	3.01
   Chromium, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.05	0.06	ND	ND	ND	0.023
   Copper, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.01	0.1	0.06	0.1	ND	ND	0.018
   Arsenic, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND
   Lead, mg/l	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.04	ND	ND	ND	0.08

   Note: ND = Not Detected

   found in the range of 1.49 mg/l to 9.2 mg/l. Fluoride found in the range of 1.1 mg/l to 1.8 mg/l, at sampling point 7 & 12 exceeds permissible limit and remaining sampling point are between the desirable and permissible limits as per BIS standard. High fluoride may cause fluorosis. Dissolved oxygen found in the range of 1.9 mg/l to 4.8 mg/l, this can be attributed to addition of effluents containing oxidizable organic matter and consequent biodegradation and decay of vegetation at higher temperature leading to consumption of oxygen from water. Concentration below 5 mg/l may adversely affect the functioning and survival of biological communities and below 2 mg/l may lead to fish mortality. Water without adequate DO may be considered waste water. The DO values obtained in the present study are less compared to ICMR standards. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) found in the range of 26.4 mg/l to 86.9 mg/l, is the measurement of the amount of biologically oxidizable organic matter present in the waste. The increased levels of BOD indicated the nature of chemical pollution. The BOD values obtained in the present study are exceeds the ICMR standards 5.0mg/l, leads to decreases the level of dissolved oxygen. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) value found in the range of 73.92mg/l to 241.58mg/l. COD test which measure the oxygen required for the oxidation of all the substance present in water, included those are not biologically decomposable. COD is a reliable parameter for judging the extent of pollution in water. The COD of water increases with increasing concentration of organic matter [1, 5, 11, 12 & 14].

   In the present study the value of concentration of iron in lake water samples ranging from 5.2 – 53.4 mg/l, at all the locations exceeds the permissible limit of 1.0 mg/l as well as above 0.3 mg/l of desirable limit , so taste/appearance are affected has adverse effect on domestic uses and water supply structures and promote iron bacteria. Zinc found in the range from 0.023 –

   0.09 mg/l, is well within the desirable limit of 5 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard. Cadmium found 0.02 mg/l at Ibbalur side inlet, is exceeds the desirable limit of 0.003 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard, beyond the desirable limit water become toxic. Nickal found in the range from 0.2 – 7.69 mg/l, is exceeds the desirable limit of 0.02 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard, beyond the desirable limit causes allergic reaction. Chromium found in the range from 0.023 0.06 mg/l, is exceeds the desirable limit of 0.05 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard, beyond the desirable limit causes carcinogenic. Copper found in the range from 0.01 0.06 mg/l, is exceeds the desirable limit of 0.05 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard, beyond the desirable limit causes astringent taste, discoloration and corrosion of pipes, fitting and utensils. Lead found in the range from 0.04 0.08 mg/l, is exceeds the desirable limit of

   0.01 mg/l, prescribed as per BIS standard, beyond the desirable limit water become toxic [11]. Arsenic concentration for all samples was not detected.

5. CONCLUSION

It is concluded from the present study that the turbidity exceeds the permissible limit as recommended by BIS and Electrical Conductivity exceeds the permissible limit as recommended by WHO, Total dissolved solids found above the desirable limit but within the permissible limit as per BIS standard, at some

samples point Hardness and Nitrate concentration exceeds the desirable limit as per BIS standard, at some samples point Alkalinity and Fluoride exceeds permissible limit as per BIS standard, Dissolved oxygen found less as recommended by ICMR standards and the values of Biochemical oxygen demand & Chemical oxygen demand were found higher, in lake water samples. Except iron others parameters likely Zinc, Cadmium, Nickal, Chromium, Copper and Lead are found in few samples.

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