Impact assessment of various parameters polluting Ganga water in Kolkata Region: a study for quality evaluation and environmental implication

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 155; no. 1-4; pp. 443 - 454
• Main Authors: Purkait, Swarnali, Ganguly, Madhumita, Aktar, Md. Wasim, Sengupta, Doipayan, Chowdhury, Ashim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.08.2009; Springer Netherlands; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Applied sciences; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Chemical oxygen demand; Chemicals; coliform bacteria; Coliform fecal; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Enterobacteriaceae - isolation & purification; Environment; Environmental impact; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Groundwater; Heavy metals; Impact analysis; India; Laboratories; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Nitrates; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Other wastewaters; Pathogens; Pesticides; Pesticides - analysis; Physico-chemical constituents; Pollutants; Pollution; Sewage - analysis; Sewage - microbiology; Sewage disposal; Sewage water; Sludge; Soil sciences; Studies; Summer; Toxicity; Wastes; Wastewaters; Wastewaters reuse. Miscellaneous; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water quality; Water treatment and pollution; Wind; Winter; Asia; West Bengal; India; Kolkata India; Coliform fecal; Pesticides; Sewage water; Physico-chemical constituents; Sludge; Coliform bacteria; Heavy metals; Irrigation; Chemical analysis; Microbiology; Spatial variation; Sewage sludge; Amendment; Pesticide; Upgrading; Seasonal variation; Risk assessment; Pathogenic; Bacteria; Agriculture; Urban waste water; Feces; Biological contamination; Organic compounds; Quantitative analysis; Coliforms; Heavy metal; Waste management; Trace element; Gas chromatography; Waste reuse; Atomic absorption spectrometry
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-008-0447-7

The quality of sewage-sludge samples obtained in Kolkata region was evaluated. Both sewage water and sludge components were analyzed for a number of physico-chemical, microbiological parameters using standard laboratory procedures, some heavy metals by AAS method and pesticide contents by GC method. Some of the physical and chemical constituents of the samples are within the allowable levels while the rest are not. The samples are rich in nutrients and have suitable pH for agricultural uses. In terms of Electrical Conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio, sewage water is not suitable for irrigation. Fecal and coliform bacterial population is high in all samples. Pesticide and heavy metals in some places are alarming. So sewage-sludge produced in Kolkata cannot be used for agricultural purpose without any treatment. Thus proper care, maintenance, treatment and disposal of sewage water and sludge are most vital and should be the prime thrust for the nation.