Nutrient chemistry and eutrophication risk assessment of the Ghaghara river, India

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the eutrophication risk associated with the nutrient flux from the Ghaghara river by using nutrient molar ratios and indicators for coastal eutrophication potential values. The concentration of ammonium (3–8 times), nitrate (3–10 times), and phosphate (3–4.5 times) in the Ghaghara river were higher than the reported value for the unpolluted rivers indicating the contribution from the anthropogenic sources. The dissolved nutrients concentration showed significant seasonal variations in the Ghaghara river system. The specific yield of nitrate-N, phosphate-P, and dissolved silica-Si from the Ghaghara river were 0.49, 0.03 and 0.96 tons km−2 yr−1 respectively. The average molar ratio for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN)/Dissolved inorganic Phosphate (DIP) was above 16:1, indicated phosphate limitation in biological productivity. In contrast, an average molar ratio of Dissolved inorganic Silica (DSi)/DIN of 4.6 ± 4.4 favored the diatom growth in the Ghaghara river. The negative value of P-ICEP (-2.93 kg C. km−2day−1) indicated phosphate limitation in the Ghaghara river. The positive value of N-ICEP (1.71 kg C·km−2day−1) indicates an excess of nitrogen over silica transport from the Ghaghara river to the Ganga river, which can create an eutrophication problem in the Ganga river.

A Comparative Assessment and Decision-Making Approach of Water Quality Evaluation of Mahanadi Basin, Odisha

“…Before sampling, water samples were gathered in clean plastic bottles and washed two or three times with the sample water. Once samples arrived at the lab, they were stored at 4°C until significant cations and anion analyses was performed (Ravi et al 2021). Measurements were collected along the river at every location, and the water quality was analysed using the standardised procedures for examining water and wastewater (APHA 2017).…”

Assessment of antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria isolated from Ghaghara River, India

“…The basic parameters of pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, stream velocity and river depth as well as nutrients chemistry of NH4-N, NO3-N, and PO4-P(μg/l) were analysed and have been reported in our previous study Ravi et al (2021).…”

“…The Ghaghara River is the largest tributary of the Ganga River in terms of annual flow contribution. The mainstream of Ghaghara River connects with the Ganga River near the Doriganj area in Chhapara district of Bihar state, after a journey of about 1,080 km (Ravi et al 2021). The Ghaghara plains lie beneath the thick loose muddy sediments deposited by the Ghaghara River and its tributaries.…”