Assessment of pollution status with respect to up and down stream influences of Gomti River in Jaunpur City, India

Abstract

River is important for every human being as well as flora and fauna. Over the last century, riverine ecosystems have suffered from intense human intervention resulting in habitat loss and degradation and as a consequence, many biotic species have become highly endangered, particular in rivers where heavy demand is placed on freshwaters. This study was aimed to estimate the pollution status and their variation across the stretch of river Gomti flowing through the city of Jaunpur. The sampling is concerned from upstream to downstream regions of the river through the city. Four sampling sites namely, Gokul Ghat (upstream), Gular Ghat, Shastri Bridge and Gomti Barrage (downstream) were selected for sampling. The water samples were collected and analyzed for a period of one year during March 2016 to February 2017. For the study total 6 parameters such as Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Nitrate (NO₃^-) and Phosphate (PO₄^3-) were detected with reference to the monsoonal variation (summer, monsoon and winter). The results indicate that Gomti River water was in polluted condition due to the city drainage systems, unplanned municipal wastes and industrial waste. Religious idol immersions are also found on the bank and in river water. On the other hand river was polluted mainly by local waste like daily garbage, faecal flow and plastic bags. It indicates that the unplanned urbanization is responsible for the deterioration of river water. To keep the river clean for the future, it is strongly recommended that urban effluents should not be over-looked before their discharge into the river and it is very necessary to assess the river water quality and subsequently, prepare the mitigation measures to reduced pollution level in Gomti River