Analysis of physico-chemical properties and heavy metals in drinking water from different sources in and around Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Aim: The present study was undertaken to determine the physico-chemical properties and heavy metals in drinking water samples collected from different sources in and around Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Materials and Methods: A total number of 100 water samples were collected from different sources like hand pumps (44), wells (27), taps (20), rivers (3) and ponds (6). The gross appearance, taste, odour, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, conductivity, total dissolved solid, salinity and the concentration of lead and cadmium were analyzed. Results: Water samples were transparent, odourless and taste was agreeable except rivers and ponds. The mean value of temperature (24.8±0.416 to 30.7±0.819), pH (6.4±0.1 to 7.3±0.1), dissolved oxygen (3.9±0.05 to 8.95±0.15), biochemical oxygen demand (2.3±0.7 to 7.5±0.409), alkalinity (35±1 to 144.75±40.359), conductivity (83±1.15 to1508±0), total dissolved solid (73±1 to 1422±0) and salinity (0.016±.014). Mean levels (ppm) of lead (Pb) was (0.01±0.00 to 0.11±0.03) and cadmium (Cd) was (0.04±0.01 to 0.11±0.03). Conclusion: Out of water samples collected from above mentioned sources, samples from ponds and rivers were highly contaminated. The pH of 6 water samples was more than prescribed level, dissolved oxygen in 11 was samples was below than 5 ppm, biochemical oxygen demand in 19 water samples was above 6 ppm, alkalinity in 14 samples were above 120 ppm, conductivity in 2 water samples were above1400 µS/cm, The levels of lead and cadmium was more than the permissible limits.


Introduction
seepage from effluent bearing water body [9].Once the groundwater is contaminated, its quality cannot be Water of good drinking quality is of basic restored by stopping the pollutants from the source.importance to human physiology and man's continued Therefore it becomes imperative to regularly monitor existence depends on its availability [1].The provision the quality of groundwater and to device various means of potable water to the rural and urban population is to protect it [10].The surface water sources, in general, necessary to prevent health hazards [2,3].
are not acceptable for drinking purpose as these are Ground water is generally considered as a safe often loaded by various organic, inorganic and source of fresh drinking water [4].But rapid population biological constituents [11,12].growth, increasing living standards in urban areas and In the recent years, the availability and access to industrialization have resulted in greater demand of fresh water has become the most critical issue in the quality water on one hand, while on the other hand, world.Freshwater is essential to human health, agripollution of water sources is increasing steadily.culture, industry and natural ecosystems, but is now Therefore the ground water is getting polluted and running scarce in many regions of the world [13].The among which wells are generally considered as the desirable properties of water quality should include worst type of ground water sources in the term of adequate amount of dissolved oxygen, relatively low physico-chemical contamination due to the lack of organic content, pH value near neutrality, moderate concrete plinth and surrounding drainage system [5,6].
temperature, and free from excessive amount of The incidence of ground water pollution is highest in infectious agents, toxic substances and mineral matter urban areas where large volumes of waste discharged [14].Potable water should be free from disease into relatively small areas [7].There are various producing microorganisms and chemical substances factors, which are responsible for ground water that are dangerous to health [15,16].Majority of the contamination such as use of fertilizer in farming [8], rural people do not have access to potable water and therefore, depend on well, stream and river waters for domestic use.Excessive use of limited water resources, disposal of various industrial effluents, human wastes into water may release heavy metals, which harm both Gross appearance, odour and taste: Water samples human and animals health [17].Continuous exposure from most of the sources were transparent, odourless to heavy metals to animals and humans cause and taste was agreeable except water from rivers and hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.So, periodical ponds which were highly turbid and foul smelling, estimation of level of heavy metals in water is which appears aesthetically objectionable for human necessary.and animal use.

Materials and Methods
Temperature: Water samples were collected and analyzed between March to July.The temperature of A total of 100 samples were taken from different 0 water ranged from 24 to 31 C.The mean temperature sources like hand-pumps (44), wells (27), taps (20), 0 ranged from 24.8±0.416 to 30.7±0.819C (Table-1), ponds (6) and rivers (3) were collected in and around almost similar findings were observed by [22], who Ranchi.
examined water samples collected from Anand district Method of sample collection: Water samples were of Gujarat and reported that the temperature of water randomly collected from different sources at varying samples ranged between 28 to 31°C.The high interval in thoroughly washed and sterilized bottle.
temperature may be due to increase in atmospheric Physico-chemical analysis was done within 48 hours temperature during summer season.In a study and the samples were stored at room temperature.
conducted by [23] pH: The overall pH ranged from 6.3 to 7.4 with the mean values ranged from 6.4±0.1 to 7.3±0.1 (Table -1).pH: pH of the water was determined with the help of pH It was found that 6 water samples were below the meter (Model Digital pH meter 335).
prescribed level of 6.5, lowest pH 6.3 was reported Dissolved oxygen (DO): Dissolved oxygen of water which is slightly acidic.These findings were supported was determined as per method [18] and expressed in by the results of [25], who reported pH of water terms of ppm.
samples ranging from 6.8 to 7.3.The pH of water ranged from 6.8 to 8.3 in a similar study conducted by Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD): BOD was [26] in the selected area of Ghazipur city, India.determined as per the method [19] and was expressed in terms of ppm.The method involves, measuring Dissolved oxygen: The dissolved oxygen content of difference of oxygen concentration of the sample water ranged from 2.6 to 11 ppm and the mean values 0 ranged from 3.9±0.05to 8.95±0.15ppm (Table -1).It before and after incubation of 5 days at 20 C. was observed that in 11 samples, dissolved oxygen was Alkalinity: Alkalinity was determined as per the below 5 ppm.Lower dissolved oxygen content was method [20] and expressed in terms of ppm.
noticed in ponds (2.6 ppm) and river (2.9 ppm).In a similar study conducted by [27] who reported the DO Conductivity: The conductivity of water was fluctuated from 7.25 to 16 ppm.This variation in determined with the help of Conductivity meter dissolved oxygen might be due to temperature, (Model Inolab Cond 720) and expressed in terms of photosynthesis, respiration, aeration, organic waste µS/cm.and sediment concentration [28].The reduced µS/cm by [41].The results were in partial accordance from 5 to 17 ppt and 33 to 35 ppt, respectively.with those of [42,43] who found the electrical The physico-chemical characteristic of river conductivity of water was varying from 334-1640 water in the study suggested that river and pond water µS/cm and 423-1197 µS/cm, respectively.These is not suitable for drinking purpose.findings are not in conformity with the observation of Heavy metal estimation: In the present study, the [44] who recorded lower conductivity of water samples concentrations of lead and cadmium were found more ranging between 468-810 µS/cm.than the prescribed permissible limits of WHO [57].However, it does not agree with the findings of The increase in the lead level may indicate presence of [45][46][47] who recorded higher electrical conductivity old pipes and industrial pollution [58], effect of ranging from 755 -1898 µ /cm, 386-2827 µΩ/cm and combustion of petrol [59] and gasoline [60].The 400 -3500 µS/cm, respectively.The high electrical increased levels may cause damage to brain, kidney if conductivity value might be due to the presence of high taken in high concentration [61].The increase in level amount of dissolved inorganic substances in ionized form.
of cadmium indicates the pollution of water bodies by industrial activities [62], excessive uses of steel plating, Total dissolved solids: The estimate of total dissolved nickel cadmium batteries.Exposure to cadmium causes solid of samples ranged from 67 to 1846 mg/l.The kidney damage [63].The accumulation of these heavy mean values ranged from 73±1 to 1422±0 mg/l (Table -metals might be due to anthropogenic activities and 1).It was observed that 4 samples showed above the important in public health point of view.permissible level of 1000 mg/l prescribed by [48].These findings are not in line with [49] who reported

Conclusion
the TDS values ranged from 145 to 245 mg/l.Higher The gross appearance, odour and taste were TDS was reported in well (1846 mg/l).However the agreeable except pond and river water which revealed presence of high levels of TDS in water may be high turbidity and foul smelling odour.Parameters like objectionable to consumers owing to the resulting taste temp, pH, DO, BOD, alkalinity, Conductivity, total and to excessive scaling in water pipes, heaters, boilers, dissolved solid and salinity was within the permissible and household appliances.Some dissolved organic limits of WHO.The lead and cadmium levels were matter may contribute to increased level of TDS which slightly more than the permissible limits of WHO in all also indicates that water is polluted [50].
water samples, which could be important in public While, water with extremely low concentrations point of view.The physico-chemical characteristics in of TDS may also be unacceptable to consumers the study suggested that river and pond water is not because of its flat and insipid taste.
suitable for drinking purpose.Regular estimation of the In a similar study conducted by [51] the TDS of above mentioned parameters would be helpful to water samples were found to be in higher range from improve water quality.666.7 to 3666.6 mg/l, before treatment but within a similar range 509.2 to 1472.3 mg/l after treatment.The

Physico-chemical analysis: Gross appearance, odour and taste: The
0 Celsius ( C) with the help of mercury thermometer.

Table - 1
).It was observed that 14 samples were above presence of bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide 120 ppm as prescribed by [34] guidelines.Similar compound of calcium, sodium and potassium.findings were observed by [35] who recorded alkalinity upto 290 mg/l in the river water.The value of Conductivity: Conductivity of water samples varied alkalinity may be due to high temperature in summer from 76 to 1636 µS/cm and the mean values range from 83±1.15 to 1508±0 µS/cm (Table-1).It was noticed and increased level of bicarbonate because of high rate that 2 samples were above the prescribed level of 1400 of photosynthesis [36].These findings are not in line doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.370-375 Results and Discussionmg/l.Water with BOD < 4 ppm are considered to be The results and discussion of physico-chemical clean water, while those with > 10ppm are considered properties of water samples was given below.tobepollutedand unsafe[32].High BOD has