Physicochemical and biological characteristics of River Hindon at Galheta station from 2009 to 2020

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the physicochemical and biological attributes of water in the Hindon River, located in Northern India and traversing through the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The study specifically examined crucial parameters, including Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Alkalinity (TA), Sulphate (SO42−), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and the biological parameter, that is, Total Coliform. Data for these characteristics of the Hindon River were collected and analyzed based on measurements obtained at the Galheta station in District Baghpat, from 2009 to 2020. The study revealed significant yearly fluctuations in water quality parameters. DO (0.15–9 mg/L) and Total Coliform (319.09 MPN/100 mL to 23 × 106 MPN/100 mL) levels represented the most significant variations, while BOD (30.65–81.54 mg/L) and COD (80.08–170 mg/L) values consistently exceeded acceptable thresholds. TA (151.883–444.86 mg/L) had persistently fallen short of minimum standards, whereas SO42− (24.756–77.441 mg/L) remained within permissible limits. TDS (619–924.16 mg/L) consistently adhered to water quality standards. The findings indicated that the Hindon River's water quality consistently fell into the categories D or E as per Bureau of Indian Standards (IS: 2296) and Class III or IV according to the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) standards and failed to meet the stipulated criteria outlined in BIS (IS: 2490) and had fallen short of the water quality standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO). A correlation coefficient matrix was generated to assess the relationships among the mentioned parameters. The research findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of Hindon River water to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems and human well‐being.