Physio-Chemical Study of Mandakini River Water at Different Ghat of Chitrakoot District

Abstract

This study investigates the seasonal variation in physico-chemical parameters of water quality at four major ghats (Ram Ghat, Mandakini Aartisthal Ghat, Mandakini Jal Ghat, and Satiansuyain Ghat) along the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot. Parameters such as pH, total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biological oxygen demand (BOD) were analyzed for both summer and winter seasons. The findings reveal fluctuations in water quality due to religious activities and inadequate waste management, highlighting the need for sustainable water management practices.

Introduction

The Mandakini River, an important tributary of the Yamuna in Chitrakoot, holds religious and cultural significance but suffers from pollution due to increased human and ritualistic activities, especially during festivals. This study evaluates seasonal variations in water quality at four key ghats by analyzing physico-chemical parameters—pH, total hardness, biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), alkalinity, chloride—and microbiological contamination (MPN).

The research involved systematic water sampling during summer and winter seasons to assess how water quality changes with seasons and ritual use. Key findings include fluctuations in pH (slightly acidic to neutral), variations in hardness and alkalinity due to geological and seasonal factors, and impacts on dissolved oxygen and BOD levels indicating organic pollution. Chloride levels remained within moderate ranges but reflected some anthropogenic influence.

The study references previous research highlighting the environmental and public health risks posed by mass bathing and religious events, which increase contamination and pose health hazards. Analytical methods included pH meters, titration for hardness, alkalinity, and chloride, and the Winkler method for DO and BOD.

Conclusion

The data analysis clearly indicates that religious activities at the major Ghats, including bathing, idol immersion, Jaware visarjan, floating oil lamps, and the disposal of materials such as food waste, leaves, and decorative items, have contributed to the pollution of the river water in the study areas. The present study found that during festivals, the physico-chemical characteristics of several water samples exceeded the maximum permissible limits due to these religious activities. This study highlights the pollution levels at various Ghats of the Mandakini River during different festivals, showing that water quality is significantly impacted. Therefore, it is crucial to implement effective management strategies to maintain water quality during such events.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Vinay Kumar, Rajkiran Singh, Vishnu Kumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.