International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056 Volume: 04 Issue: 04 | Apr -2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 5.181 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 2159 Assessment of Physico-Chemical Properties and Toxic Heavy Metals in Water from Kali River, Meerut Region, India Deepak Kumar 1 , Sangeeta Kumari 2 1, 2 Amity Institute of Biotechnology Amity University, Haryana Gurgaon, Manesar 122413, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract— The present study is to deal with the assessment of physico-chemical and concentration of the heavy metals- Hg, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd in water samples collected from Kali River at 3 different sites in Meerut region, namely Saini Village, Begum Pul and Kankarkhera during pre- monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon for one year June 2015- July 2016. The Results showed that pH ranged from 7.1 to 8.3, Range of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were 1643 mg/L to 3145 mg/L, the values obtained were significantly higher than limit as per IS and TSS ranged from 164 to 284 mg/L. Conductivity was found between 769 to 1365 µs/cm. BOD and COD values of all sites were found very high. All samples showed very insignificant amount of DO whereas desirable DO levels is more than 4 mg/L. Sulphate and Nitrate were found in range from 50 to 150 mg/L and 19 to 41 mg/L respectively and within the prescribed limit by IS. Heavy metal analysis showed that Pb (0.046-0.231 mg/L), Cr (0.013-0.053 mg/L), Cd (0.001- 0.019 mg/L), Hg (0.001-0.018 mg/L), Cu (0.033-2.167 mg/L), Mn (0.187 – 0.484 mg/l), Ni (0.019-0.091 mg/L), Zn (0.137- 5.641 mg/L), Fe (3.374-6.846 mg/L), Se ( ND- 0.012 mg/L) and As (ND-0.018 mg/L). The study has indicated that almost all the parameters are at the higher levels than the prescribed limit not only for drinking water as given by IS & WHO, but also for irrigation purpose as recommended by FAO and therefore proper treatment are required. Generally large scale industries have effluent treatment plants, but at other end small scale industries are not following the guidelines set for the industrial effluents. Keywords— Physico-chemical, Heavy Metal, waste water, Industrial Area and ICP-MS, ND=Not Detected, FAO, IS 1. Introduction Human health and environmental quality are undergoing degradation by the increasing amount of wastes being produced. Wastes are complex in nature depending on the sources of generation and its environmental fate once generated. Of all the classification of wastes available, industrial wastes is the most occurring source of water pollution (Oyediran et al, 1997). Although the fresh water in nature is very little; approximately 1% but due to over industrialization this fresh water recourses gradually decline. In the developed world, domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural wastes are treated at sewage central works to reduce its toxicity and discharged into rivers and stream, but in developing countries, it lacks. Most of the rivers following the residential area are final discharge point for effluent from industrial area and municipal waste (Moscow et al., 2011). Studies of water quality in various effluents revealed that man-made activities have an important negative impact on water quality in the downstream sections of the major rivers. This is a result of cumulative effects from upstream development but also from inadequate wastewater treatment facilities (Chang et al, 2008). In most developed and developing countries, rapid industrialization and man’s constant quest for comfort as well as change in taste and fashion have resulted to various forms of advancement in science and technology (Tuner et al, 1990). The trend of urbanization in India is exerting stress on civic authorities to provide basic requirement such as safe drinking water, sanitation and infrastructure. Prior to population explosion, agricultural and industrial activities have been practiced on a very small scale (Akinbile, 2006), The rapid growth of population has exerted the portable water demand, which requires exploration of raw water sources, developing treatment and distribution systems (Choksi et al, 2015). Heavy metals occur as natural constituents of the earth crust, and are persistent environmental contaminants since they cannot be degraded or destroyed. To a small extent, they enter the body system through food, air, and water and bio- accumulate over a period of time. (Duruibe et al, 2007). Heavy metal is present in diminutive quantities in the water. However, in the recent past, freshwater pollution due to heavy metals has become a hazard due to discharge of industrial effluents and Municipal waste. Heavy metals like Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr are essential for the growth of organisms, while Pb, Cd, Hg and Ag are not biologically essential, but definitely toxic. Even the essential heavy metals may be beyond optimum threshold levels, hazardous and toxic (Hariprasad N. V. et al, 2013). Effluent discharge into the environment with enhanced concentration of nutrient, sediment and toxic substances may have a serious negative impact on the quality and life forms of the receiving water body when discharge untreated or partially treated (Forenshell, 2001; Schulz and Howe, 2003, Ewere, 2014). In addition, waste water is available source of micronutrient (e.g. N, P, and K etc.), inorganic matter and organic matter, which are needed for maintaining for fertility of soil (Hait, 2014), but in excess concentration these could be toxic and deleterious.