Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x5gtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-15T04:54:39.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Aspects of Water Pollution in Lake Naini Tal, U.P., India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2009

M. C. Pant ,
P. K. Gupta ,
J. Pande ,
P. C. Sharma  and
A. P. Sharma
M. C. Pant
Affiliation:
Reader, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Naini Tal 263002, India.
P. K. Gupta
Affiliation:
Reader, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Naini Tal 263002, India.
J. Pande
Affiliation:
Reader, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Naini Tal 263002, India.
P. C. Sharma
Affiliation:
Reader, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Naini Tal 263002, India.
A. P. Sharma
Affiliation:
Reader, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Naini Tal 263002, India.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

The paper discusses certain microbiological, biological, and chemical, aspects of pollution in Lake Naini Tal, U.P., India, which is characterized by heavy input of domestic sewage and other organic pollutants. The most probable number (MPN) for coliform Bacteria varied from 0.59 × 105 to 3.61 × 105 per 100 ml, being highest in the monsoon season and lowest in spring. The water was alkaline in reaction throughout the period of study. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen showed high values near the surface and low ones in the bottom waters. BOD values always exceeded 6.0 mg/1. The concentrations of NO3−N and P04−P varied from 0.100 to 0.750 mg/1 and 0.018 to 0.153 mg/1, respectively. These concentrations are sufficient to cause blooming of certain phytoplankters on occasion. The values of NH3–N fluctuated from 0.033 to 0.422 mg/1, being highest in winter and lowest in the monsoon months. Among the metallic ions, the values of Pb and Mn were higher than permissible limits.

The bottom sediments of the Lake were also found to produce toxic gases such as CH4, H2S, and NH3. Most of the carp fishes, such as Cyprinus carpio specularis, Tor tor, and Schizothorax spp., were found to be infected with Saprolegnia or other Fungi, or with trematodes. Certain phytoplankters (such as species of Microcystis, Anabaena, etc.), zooplankters (such as species of Bursaria, Spirostomum, Phillodina, etc.), and macrobenthos (including Tubifex tubifex, Limnodrilus sp., Chironomus plumosas, etc.), were found to be abundant. Macrobenthic species were absent from the profundal zone of the Lake, which showed all the important characteristics of a polluted water-body.

Type
Main Papers
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , Summer 1981 , pp. 113 - 117
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

American Public Health Association [cited as APHA] (1955). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water, Sewage and Industrial Wastes, 10th edn.APHA, New York, NY, USA: xx + 522 pp., illustr.Google Scholar
Forsyth, D. J. (1976). Insects and aquatic ecosystems. New Zealand Entomologist, 6(2), pp. 132–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Indian Council of Medical Research [cited as ICMR] (1963). Manual and Methods for the Examination of Water, Sewage and Industrial Waste. Special Report, Series No. 47, New Delhi, India: v + 180 pp.Google Scholar
Nduku, W. K. (1976). The distribution of phosphorus, nitrogen and organic carbon in the sediments of Lake Mcllwaine, Rhodesia. Trans. Rhod. Scient. Ass., 57(6), pp. 45–60.Google Scholar
Pande, J. & Das, S. M. (1980). Metallic contents in water and sediments of Lake Naini Tal, India. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 13), pp. 3–7.Google Scholar
Pant, M. C. & Sharma, P. C. (1978). Observations on some possible causal factors for winter fish mortality in Naini Tal Lake. Pp. 248–54, in Proceedings of the National Seminar on Resources, Development and Environment in the Himalayan Region. Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, India: xxxiii + 537 pp., illustr.Google Scholar
Pant, M. C., Sharma, A. P. & Sharma, P. C. (1980). Evidence for the increased eutrophication of Lake Naini Tal as a result of human interference. Environ. Pollut. (Ser. B), 1. pp. 149–61.Google Scholar
Rosenberg, R. (1977). Benthic macrofaunal dynamics, production and dispersion in an oxygen-deficient estuary of West Sweden. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 26), pp. 107–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sawyer, C. N. (1947). Fertilization of lakes by agricultural and urban drainage. J. New England Water Work Association, 60), pp. 109–27.Google Scholar
Thresh, J. C., Beale, J. E. & Suckling, E. V. (1958). Examination of Waters and Water Supplies, 7th edn.Taylor, E. Windle, London, England, UK: vi + 841 pp., illustr.Google Scholar
Vollenweider, R. A. (1968). Scientific Fundamentals of the Eutrophication of Lakes and Flowing Waters with Particular Reference to Nitrogen and Phosphorus as Factors in Eutrophication. Report, O.E.C.D. Directorate of Scientific Affairs, Paris, France: 220 pp.Google Scholar
Welch, P. S. (1948). Limnological Methods. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY: xviii + 381 pp., illustr.Google Scholar
World Health Organization [cited as WHO] (1971). International Standards for Drinking Water, 3rd edn.WHO, Geneva, Switzerland: vi + 280 pp., illustr.Google Scholar
Wright, S. (1955). Limnological Survey of Western Lake Erie. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Spec. Sci. Rep. Fish., No. 139, 341 pp.Google Scholar