Research Article Open Access Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry B i o c h e m i s t r y & A n a l y t i c a l B i o c h e m i s t r y ISSN: 2161-1009 Biochem Anal Biochem 2016, 5:3 DOI: 10.4172/2161-1009.1000287 Volume 5 • Issue 3 • 1000287 Biochem Anal Biochem, an open access journal ISSN: 2161-1009 *Corresponding author: Markandeya Tiwari, Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, India, Tel: +919450577490, E-mail: mktiwariiet@gmail.com Received: July 15, 2016; Accepted: August 29, 2016; Published September 01, 2016 Citation: Tiwari M, Kisku GC (2016) Impact Assessment of Gomti River Water Quality after Immersion of Idols During Durga Utsav. Biochem Anal Biochem 5: 287. doi:10.4172/2161-1009.1000287 Copyright: © 2016 Markandeya, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract In present study, an attempt has been made to assess the deterioration of water quality of river Gomti after the immersion of idols in Lucknow city. Water samples were collected (pre, during and post-idol immersion) from 4 selected locations (1 upstream and 3 downstream) during the festival month. All samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and metallic characteristics. The mean concentrations of TSS, TDS, alkalinity, hardness, DO and BOD5 were 29 ± 7, 183 ± 9, 159 ± 20, 130 ± 5, 6.40 ± 0.18, 20.50 ± 2.38 mg/L and EC was 0.35 ± 0.02 µS/cm (before idol immersion); 61 ± 13, 260 ± 47, 202 ± 11, 162 ± 14, 5.90 ± 0.41, 29 ± 7 mg/L and EC was 0.41 ± 0.02 µS/cm (after 6 hr of idol immersion) and 25 ± 4, 205 ± 17, 206 ± 14, 137 ± 8, 6.00 ± 0.26, 22.0 ± 3.6 mg/L and EC was 0.40 ± 0.02 µS/cm (post- idol immersion) respectively. The mean concentration of metals like Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn were 0.007 ± 0.013, 0.021 ± 0.023, 0.001 ± 0.000 and 0.021 ± 0.013 mg/L (before idol immersion), 0.070 ± 0.013, 0.127 ± 0.035, 0.013 ± 0.014 and 0.038 ± 0.028 mg/L (after 6 hr of idol immersion) and 0.008 ± 0.004, 0.267 ± 0.304, 0.013 ± 0.014 and 0.031 ± 0.009 mg/L (post-idol immersion) respectively. All physico-chemical and metallic parameters of water samples drawn after idol immersion was found increased to measurable levels as compared to the samples collected before idol immersion. The analysis results conirmed the presumed hypothesis that water quality of river Gomti is adversely affected due to the immersion of idols during festival season. Impact Assessment of Gomti River Water Quality after Immersion of Idols During Durga Utsav Markandeya Tiwari 1,2 * and Ganesh Chandra Kisku 2 1 Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, India 2 Environmental Monitoring Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, M.G. Marg, Lucknow, India Keywords: Gomti river; Gurga utsav; Idol immersion; Physico- chemical; Metallic parameters Introduction he Gomti river is one of the major tributaries of the Ganga instigates from a reservoir in the marshy and heavily woody area near Madho-Tanda (Miankot) with an elevation of 200 m. It is originated about 50 km south of the Himalaya foot-hills and about 3 km east of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh. Assessment of river water quality used for drinking and domestic purpose should be an important criterion from public health point of view especially when unwanted things that can damage the quality of water are thrown into the water bodies [1]. he Quality of water is of vital concerns for human beings, since it is directly linked to human health and other living creatures. Besides, urbanization, the material used in religious rituals like lowers, incense sticks, food, sweets, clothes etc is dispersed in nullahs and Gomti results in pollution and deterioration of river water quality which supply as portable water for urban population [2]. Durga Utsav is one such famous Hindu festival celebrated during the month of October. Traditionally, hundreds of idols of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha are immersed in the river water on this occasion every year, containing biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. Festivals are an integral part of ritual and diverse cultural heritage of India. Durga Utsav is one such famous Hindu festival celebrated during the month of October. Every year on this occasion, thousands of large and small idols of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha are immersed in the river water. hese idols are containing innumerable biodegradable and non-biodegradable compounds [1,3]. hese idols are made of many materials viz. plaster of paris, papers, clay, colors, jutes, clothes, wooden frame, thermocol etc [1,4]. An analysis of water samples in Assam at Kacharighat on the post-immersion night of Durgapuja established the presence of heavy metals like lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium and zinc to a signiicant extent [5]. In Maharashtra Pollution Board formulated guidelines and recommendations for idol immersion [6]. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board banned immersion of Vinayaka idols in water bodies on August 5 2009 [7-9]. A number of persistent colors and toxic chemicals leach from these idols disperse in the river water [10,11]. hese toxic non-biodegradable chemicals enter into the water bodies’ then human health through food chain. With the advancement of scientiic knowledge, it becomes imperative ater the immersion of idols to assess the magnitude of deterioration of river water quality through water quality index and further to protect the river water quality. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the deterioration of water quality of the river Gomti ater the idol emersion. So that possible measures can be executed to protect river water quality. Materials and Methods Sampling locations and frequency In the present investigation, twelve river water samples were collected (pre, during and post-idol immersion period) from 4 selected locations 1 upstream (Daliganj Bridge) and 3 downstream (Idol immersion site, Khatu Ashram and Near Barrage) during the festival month (October 2013). All samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and metallic characteristics. First set of water samples were collected a week before the idol immersion activities. During idol immersion, samples were collected ater 6 hr of idol immersion activities and Post- idol immersion samples were collected 3 days ater the completion of Tiwari and Kisku,