Determination of different Physico-chemical Parameters
of ground and surface water of Rajshahi and Dinajpur District of Bangladesh
Hoore Jannat1, Md. Nasiruddin2, Md.
Saidul Islam1, Md. Nazrul Islam1, Md. Abdul Mannan1,
Md. Kudrat-E-Zahan1
1Department
of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
2Department
of Chemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology
University, Gopalgong-8100, Bangladesh.
ABSTRACT:
The
physico-chemical properties of the underground and surface water samples
collected from different locations of Rajshahi and Dinajpur district of
Bangladesh were determined. The study was conducted for hand tube-wells (95-125
ft. depth) and surface (mainly ponds) water. For the comparative study of the
qualities and quantities of ground and surface water of a particular location,
underground water samples were collected around the surface water. Physical
properties were involved with measurements of pH, conductivity, total solids,
dissolved solids, suspended solids and total hardness. The chemical properties
were associated with the determination of anions Cl-, SO, PO and HCOand cations Na+, K+, Ca2+
and Mg2+. The concentration of trace element such as arsenic was
also determined in some water samples.
KEYWORDS: Physiochemical
parameters, ground water, surface water, total hardness, water quality.
INTRODUCTION:
Almost 71% of the earth's
total surface is covered with water, only 2.5% of this amount can be considered
as freshwater [1]. At present, 1.6 billion of people are facing economic water
shortage, and two-thirds of the world's population is experiencing water
scarcity at least one month in a year [2, 3]. Almost 1.8 billion people living
in various regions all over the world may face absolute water scarcity by 2025
[4]. All living organisms on the earth
need water for their survival and growth. In a developing country like us
people are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil [5].
Due to increased human
population, industrialization, use of fertilizers and man-made activity water
is highly polluted with different harmful contaminants.
Groundwater
is an important water-supply source world-wide. Groundwater is commonly
understood to mean water occupying all the voids within a geologic stratum.
This saturated zone is to be distinguished from an unsaturated or aeration
zone, where voids are filled with water and air. Water contained in saturated zones
is important for engineering works, geologic studies [6] and water supply
developments. Unsaturated zones are usually found above saturated zones and
extend upward to the ground surface. No rigid demarcation of water between the
two zones is possible, they possess an independent boundary and water can move
from zone to zone in either direction. Practically all groundwater originates
as surface water. Principal sources of natural recharge include precipitation,
stream flow, lakes and reservoirs. Other contributions occur from excess
irrigation, seepage from canals, and water purposely applied to argument
groundwater supplies. Even seawater can enter underground along coats where
hydraulic gradient slope downward in an inland direction. Water within the ground
moves downward through the unsaturated zone under the action of gravity,
whereas in the saturated zone it moves in a direction determined by the
surrounding hydraulic situation 7].
The
quality of ground water depends on various chemical constituents and their
concentration, which are mostly derived from the geological data of the
particular region [8]. Industrial waste and the municipal solid waste have
emerged as one of the leading cause of pollution of surface and ground water.
It is a known fact that when pure water is polluted its normal functioning and
properties are affected. It is necessary that the quality of drinking water should
be checked at regular time interval, because due to use of contaminated
drinking water, human population suffers from varied of water borne diseases
[9-10].
To
establish quality criteria, measuring of chemical, physical, biological and
radiological constituents must be specified, as well as standard methods for
reporting and comparing results of water analysis. To meet these criteria we
studied the qualities and quantities of ground and surface water of Rajshahi
and Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Physical properties were involved with
measurements of pH, conductivity, total solids, dissolved solids, suspended
solids and total hardness. The chemical properties were associated with the
determination of anions Cl-, SO, PO and HCOand cations Na+, K+, Ca2+
and Mg2+. The concentration of trace element such as arsenic was
also determined in some water samples.
METERIALS
AND METHODS:
Reagents
and Chemicals:
Mettler
Toledo, MP-220 pH-meter and C.G. 857 No 71798 Schott Gerate GmbH Digital
conductometer were used to determine the pH and conductance of water. UV-Visible
spectrophotometer Perkin Elmer Lamer Lambda-II was used to determine the SO, PO. JE. Nway PEP-7 Flame photometer was used to
determine. Na+ and K+. Atomic Absorption
spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer-3110) was used to determine the Ca2+,
Mg2+ and As.
Sampling
and sample collection stations:
About
30 water samples were collected in thirty cleaned glass bottles from the various
locations of the district of Rajshahi and Dinajpur. Sampling stations were at
least 1 KM distances from each other. The locations of the sampling points of
various places are shown in Fig.1 Ground water samples were collected from hand
tube wells (95-125 ft. depth) and the surface water is also collected. Each
sample was collected in a well washed dark glass bottle. The bottle was lowered
slowly into the surface water and its cork opened by hand marked according in
cm at the desired depth. When the bottle was filled with water, it was closed
and drawn up carefully. Then 100 ml of water was discharged from the glass
bottle.
Fig.1:
Collection of drinking water samples from different locations of Rajshahi and
Dinajpur District of Bangladesh.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
pH of water:
pH
value is an important parameter, as it gives the indication whether the sample
is acidic or basic, pure water should be neutral with pH value of 7.0, if pH
> 7 the water is basic and if pH < 7, the water is acidic. The pH values of
the samples are shown in Fig. 2 and the data are given in Table 1. The pH
values of ground water were in the range 6.25 to 7.33 and the values of surface
water were in the range 6.68-9.09, which are higher than those of ground water.
From this study, it could be said that, the pH values of tube-wells &
surface water were found to be within the admissible limit (pH 6.00 to 8.00).
Fig.2:
Comparative study of pH in ground and surface water.
Conductivity of water:
The
conductivity indicates the concentration of salts present in water sample.
These results of the water sample are shown in Fig.3 and data are given in
table 1. The specific conductance has been found to be in the range 94.40 to
172.10 and 29.40 to 71.20 μg/cm for tube-wells and surface water respectively.
The concentration of the salts depends on the environment, movement and sources
of water. The conductivity of water sample of Dinajpur district is higher than
those of Rajshahi district but the conductivity of surface water was less than
that of groundwater.
Fig.3:
Comparative study of conductivity in ground and surface water.
Table
1. Comparative study of the physical properties of ground and surface water
|
Locations
|
pH
Mean value
|
Conductivity
(ms/cm) Mean value
|
Total
solids (ppm) Mean value
|
|
Ground
water
|
Surface
water
|
Ground
water
|
Surface
water
|
Ground
water
|
Surface
water
|
|
Rajshahi
University Campus
|
6.91
|
7.83
|
103.80
|
40.27
|
473.00
|
342.00
|
|
Puthia
Thana
|
7.25
|
8.12
|
122.37
|
45.13
|
297.73
|
441.00
|
|
Poba
Thana
|
7.32
|
7.61
|
101.67
|
42.20
|
695.33
|
290.00
|
|
RajshahiCity
|
6.83
|
7.25
|
133.47
|
44.30
|
538.33
|
177.33
|
|
Dinajpur
District
|
6.54
|
6.80
|
141.53
|
53.53
|
921.67
|
155.00
|
Alkalinity
of water:
This
observation indicates that carbonate was absent in the water sample but
alkalinity was entirely due to bicarbonate. The contents of bicarbonate in
water (Table 2 and 3) were estimated by neutralization titration method with
standard 
solution using methyl orange as an indicator. Most of
the water sample has been found to vary in the range 169.80 to 642.00 ppm and
7.65 to 563.13 ppm for ground water and surface water respectively. The
alkalinity of water in Dinajpur district is less than that of Rajshahi
district. Bicarbonate is usually the major anion present in the ground water,
Carbondioxide in solution, derived from the atmosphere and from organic
processes in soil, reacts with carbonate containing minerals like limestone and
dolomite as the water moves underground. This process generates bicarbonate in
the water.
Table
2. Comparative study of the physical properties of ground and surface water
|
Locations
|
Dissolved solids (ppm)
Mean value
|
Suspended solids (ppm)
Mean value
|
Total hardness (ppm)
Mean value
|
|
Ground water
|
Surface water
|
Ground water
|
Surface water
|
Ground water
|
Surface water
|
|
Rajshahi University Campus
|
431.67
|
308.00
|
41.33
|
34.00
|
243.93
|
138.27
|
|
Puthia Thana
|
268.83
|
353.00
|
28.90
|
88.00
|
305.33
|
261.33
|
|
Poba Thana
|
397.83
|
226.00
|
56.00
|
24.00
|
351.07
|
214.27
|
|
Rajshahi City
|
507.00
|
158.67
|
31.33
|
18.67
|
412.33
|
173.47
|
|
Dinajpur District
|
708.00
|
103.67
|
213.67
|
51.33
|
197.20
|
67.73
|
Chloride content in water:
The
chloride contents estimated by Mohr titration method and the results were found
to be in the range 1.35-42.22 ppm and 0.00 to 4.22 ppm (Fig. 4) for ground and
surface water respectively. Usually the range of chloride in Dinajpur district
is higher than that of Rajshahi district. No definite trend of the content of
the anion either with the depth of the tube- wells or with its location was
observed. Chloride content in excess of 100 ppm imparts a salty taste and
concentration greatly in excess of 100 ppm may cause physiological damage. Some
industries like textile processing, paper manufacturing and synthetic rubber
manufacturing desire a content of chloride anion in water less than 100 ppm. In
view of the above facts, the chloride contents of the ground water in this
investigation were within the recommended level for drinking and other
household purposes.
Fig.4: Comparative study
of chloride ion in ground and surface water.
Sodium and potassium
contents of water:
In
the present investigation, sodium contents in the water have been found to be
in the ranges 11.50 to 57.50 and 1.95 to 7.80 ppm for ground and surface water
respectively (Fig.5). The potassium contents were measured in the range 0.69 to
52.90 and 3.51 to 27.69 ppm for ground and surface water respectively (Fig.6).
No relation whatsoever could be obtained between the contents of the elements
and the depth or location of the tube-wells. The concentration of the elements
found in the water are all standard and very much within the recommended range
for drinking and household purposes. The range of sodium in Dinajpur district
is higher than the Rajshahi district.
Fig.5: Comparative study of sodium ion in ground and
surface water.
Fig.6: Comparative study of potassium ion in ground and
surface water.
Sulfate content in water:
In
the present investigation sulfate ion concentration in all the ground water
sample and surface water samples were found in the range of 0.32 to 41.85 ppm
and 0.64 to 13.41 ppm respectively (Table 3). These values are much lower (Table
3) than the recommended values [11] (<250 ppm) comparatively the concentration
of sulfate ion in Dinajpur district is higher than that of Rajshahi district.
Table
3. Comparative study of the
chemical properties of ground and surface water
|
Locations
|
Alkalinity (ppm)
Mean value
|
Cl-ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
SO42-
ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
PO43-ion
(ppm)
Mean value
|
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
|
Rajshahi University Campus
|
428.02
|
180.54
|
8.68
|
8.24
|
0.31
|
5.25
|
0.02
|
0.04
|
|
Puthia Thana
|
399.27
|
327.58
|
21.05
|
12.00
|
2.86
|
0.59
|
0.36
|
0.26
|
|
Poba Thana
|
613.22
|
162.76
|
7.54
|
5.69
|
3.18
|
5.20
|
0.13
|
1.24
|
|
RajshahiCity
|
571.88
|
182.13
|
14.52
|
10.75
|
0.67
|
13.28
|
0.04
|
4.87
|
|
Dinajpur District
|
526.44
|
20.40
|
18.24
|
1.60
|
40.01
|
2.63
|
0.08
|
0.08
|
Phosphate content in water:
The
phosphate level of all the ground water and surface water samples in Rajshahi
and Dinajpur districts were much lower than the recommended value (6.0 ppm). In
the present investigation the concentration of phosphate ions of ground water
and surface water samples were found 0.0 to 0.13 and 0.04 to 4.91 ppm respectively
(Table 3). The higher concentration of phosphate in water arises may be due to
the uses of phosphate fertilizers, soil erosion and decomposition products of
organic wastes etc.
Calcium and magnesium ions
contents in water:
In
the present investigation, calcium ion concentration of all the ground and
surface water was found 18 to 52.00 and 1.40 to 32.0 ppm respectively less than
the recommended limit (<75 ppm). The hardness of water in chosen area may
responsible for the higher concentration of calcium (Table 4). The concentration
of magnesium ion was found to be in the range 8.52 to 27.0 and 0.48 to 4.56 ppm
for ground and surface water respectively which is less than the recommended
level (<30 ppm) of drinking water. It has been observed that the concentration
of calcium was higher than that of magnesium which is characteristic feature of
the ground water [12].
Table
4. Comparative study of the chemical properties of ground and surface water
|
Locations
|
Na+ ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
K+ ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
Ca2+ ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
Mg2+ion (ppm)
Mean value
|
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
G. water
|
S. water
|
|
Rajshahi University Campus
|
17.62
|
25.11
|
2.40
|
3.37
|
32.15
|
7.33
|
12.62
|
4.48
|
|
Puthia Thana
|
11.90
|
23.76
|
1.97
|
27.40
|
50.47
|
13.70
|
16.10
|
3.55
|
|
Poba Thana
|
37.70
|
23.22
|
3.21
|
23.07
|
43.03
|
16.00
|
14.02
|
3.47
|
|
RajshahiCity
|
22.97
|
52.87
|
7.77
|
27.22
|
34.07
|
31.98
|
15.69
|
10.18
|
|
Dinajpur District
|
57.27
|
0.61
|
6.97
|
8.20
|
17.83
|
1.33
|
9.95
|
0.42
|
G. water =
ground water, S. water = surface water.
Arsenic in water:
Arsenic
becomes highly toxic beyond a certain level. It is an element that raises much
concern from the both environmental and human health standpoints. Human may
encounter arsenic in water from wells drilled into arsenic-rich ground strata
or in water contaminated by industrial or agrochemical waste [13].
There
is some evidence that this element is carcinogenic. The ‘recommended’ and
‘tolerance’ limits of the elements in drinking water are 0.01 and 0.05 ppm
respectively [14].In the present investigation, it may be concluded that the
arsenic level in surface water should be almost nil. We attempted to measure
the arsenic contents of some surface water samples but the continents have been
found below detection limits.
Total
solids of water:
The total solids in hand
tube-wells and surface water samples were determined. The calculated values are
given in Table 1. It has been seen that the values of total solids for tube
wells and surface water were in the range 259.20-1460.00 and 115.00-593.00 ppm
respectively. The total solids vary from place to place of Dinajpur district
than Rajshahi district.
Dissolved
solids in water:
Dissolved
solids contained in the tube-well and surface water samples were measured. The
comparison (Table 2) of dissolved solid in tube well and surface water samples
indicates that the tube wells water contained higher amount of dissolved solids
than surface water. The concentration of dissolved solids in the selected areas
was found as 239 to 1161 and 86 to 295 ppm for tube-well and surface water
samples respectively. The admissible limit of dissolved solids in drinking
water is 500 ppm. The present investigation indicates that most of the ground
water in Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts contains solids within the recommended
level.
Suspended
solids of water:
The present investigation
found that the suspended solids in the range 9.70 to 285.00 ppm and 12 to 198
ppm respectively (Table 2) of ground water and surface water, which were far
above the recommended level of U.S. Public Health Drinking Water Standard (5.0
ppm).
Total
hardness of water:
The
hardness of water sample was calculated as CaCO3 in ppm. All the
samples were found to be very hard and their values exceed the acceptable limit
(Table 2). This indicates the abundance of calcium and magnesium in water
probability in the form of bicarbonates (Table 3and 4). In the present
investigation, the hardness of tube-wells and surface water samples were found
in the range 109.40 to 476.00 and 10 to 349.60 ppm respectively. The comparison
of the results showed that surface water was almost soft but other samples were
very hard.
CONCLUSION:
The
evolution of physico-chemical properties and arsenic contents in ground water
as well as surface water in different locations of Rajshahi and Dinajpur district,
Bangladesh, was carried out in order to have an insight about the gross water quality
and the extent of arsenic toxicity in the study area. It was concluded that the
alkalinity of water in Rajshahi district is higher than the Dinajpur district
where the trend is reverse and found much lower than recommended level in case
of chloride and sulphate contents. It has also been found that the range of
sodium is higher in Dinajpur region than Rajshahi area and the contents of
calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium is within the permissible limit
permitted by WHO. An interesting result was found in conductivity that the
conductivity of water sample of Dinajpur district is higher than those of
Rajshahi district but the conductivity of surface water was less than that of
groundwater. Dissolved solids contents are within the recommended level where
suspended solids results were unsatisfactory for drinking and household
purposes and far more than the U.S Public Health Drinking Water Standard. However,
more extensive studies will be required in these particular regions for
building practical guidance for the local people as well as flora and fauna.
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