Anionic surfactants in the river, particularly downstream in Delhi, have created massive foam-like
conditions which may be harmful to aquatic life and humans that come in contact. The present study
focussed on the quantification of anionic surfactants, biological contaminants in terms of total bacterial
count, total and faecal coliform bacteria and qualitative analysis of pathogenic bacteria from the samples
acquired from different sites of Yamuna river. The concentration of anionic surfactants was observed
to be between 0.42-3.89 mg L-1 at Okhla barrage, which was significantly high as compared to Wazirabad
barrage and ITO bridge. The total bacterial count of Okhla barrage was observed more as compared to
Wazirabad barrage and ITO Bridge ranging between 9.7 × 106 to 9.1 × 108 CFU/mL. The findings of
total coliform bacteria were observed to be consistently high at Wazirabad barrage ranging between
1.3 × 103 to 9.0 × 104 MPN/100 mL. Qualitative analysis of pathogenic bacteria showed the presence
of P. aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., E. coli and S. aureus. Based on the results obtained in the study, it
was inferred that the water quality of Yamuna river at Wazirabad barrage, ITO Bridge and Okhla
barrage was poor and thus requires regular monitoring and call for immediate effective mitigation
strategies.Anionic surfactants in the river, particularly downstream in Delhi, have created massive foam-like
conditions which may be harmful to aquatic life and humans that come in contact. The present study
focussed on the quantification of anionic surfactants, biological contaminants in terms of total bacterial
count, total and faecal coliform bacteria and qualitative analysis of pathogenic bacteria from the samples
acquired from different sites of Yamuna river. The concentration of anionic surfactants was observed
to be between 0.42-3.89 mg L-1 at Okhla barrage, which was significantly high as compared to Wazirabad
barrage and ITO bridge. The total bacterial count of Okhla barrage was observed more as compared to
Wazirabad barrage and ITO Bridge ranging between 9.7 × 106 to 9.1 × 108 CFU/mL. The findings of
total coliform bacteria were observed to be consistently high at Wazirabad barrage ranging between
1.3 × 103 to 9.0 × 104 MPN/100 mL. Qualitative analysis of pathogenic bacteria showed the presence
of P. aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., E. coli and S. aureus. Based on the results obtained in the study, it
was inferred that the water quality of Yamuna river at Wazirabad barrage, ITO Bridge and Okhla
barrage was poor and thus requires regular monitoring and call for immediate effective mitigation
strategies.
