Comparative assessment of groundwater quality in different areas of Delhi NCR (Ghaziabad, Noida) and East UP (Varanasi)

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to compare the quality of groundwater on the basis of its physical and chemical parameters analyzed. For this purpose, different areas of Varanasi, Ghaziabad and Noida. Introduction: One the oldest Indian ancient cities, Varanasi, known for the Hindu spiritual practices has now topped the country's list of the most polluted city and Ghaziabad, considered as one of the most developed areas of the state Uttar Pradesh had highest pollution level among the 42 cities of the country in the previous year, 2017. Despite being the developed towns of the state, people have to suffer for basic needs, particularly the water needs. Contamination of underground water is one of the biggest hazards that the world will witness sooner or later. Underground water contamination in the present scenario is done more by the indirect pollution methods which include inadequate treatment of the waste product before their disposal into the water bodies. Ions transported by the rivers are an essential source of almost all the elements found on Earth. The major ions which are responsible to maintain the quality of water, particularly the groundwater includes sundry cations and anions like: carbonate (CO 3 2− ), Phosphate (PO 4 3− ), Nitrate (NO 3 − ), Bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ), Chloride (Cl − ), Sulphate (SO 4 2− ), Calcium (Ca ++ ), Magnesium (Mg ++ ), Cupper (Cu ++ ), Fluoride (F − ), Sodium (Na + ) and Potassium (K + ). Among the above-listed ions, Calcium (Ca ++ ) and Magnesium (Mg ++ ) are particularly responsible for the hardness of water, intake of this hard water by humans and animals can result in sundry medical complications like diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Disorders. Materials and Methods: Water samples from nine different areas of Ghaziabad (NCR) and Varanasi (East UP) were collected and analyzed various physical and chemical parameters. Conclusion: Comparison of groundwater quality showed higher values of observed parameters at Salarpur and Kavi Nagar area of NCR region. This showed that the major contaminants in groundwater of NCR region were mixed pollution sources e.g. effluents from Industries, soil and mineral dust.