Evaluation of ecological characteristics of river Damodar Adjacent to Asansol Industrial Complex, West Bengal (India)

The present study deals with the characterisation of Damodar river water and the status of distribution and environmental implications of metals in the river adjacent to Asansol industrial zone. The pH was found in the alkaline range (7.6–8.8), while conductance was obtained in the range of 180 -530 μS/cm. The results of different parameters of Damodar river water are varied and displayed as 112.0 to 367.6 mg/l (TDS), 0.01 to 1.84 mg/l (PO₄^3-), 0.00 to 3.21 mg/l (NO₃⁻), 6.36 mg/I to 19.32 mg/l (Na⁺), 1.25 to 10.32 mg/l (K⁺) and 7.46 to 49.84 mg/l (SO₄⁻), 0.14 to 1.214 mg/l (Fe), 0.0 to 0.095 mg/l (Pb), 1.610 to 8.91 mg/l (DO), 0.378 to 4.856 mg/l (BOD) and 7.22 to 32.56 mg/l (Cr). In general the concentration of metals in the river water in the study area is low but there is an elevated concentration of Pb and Cd found in some water samples drain off from the industrial activities. The results are generally showing a negative impact of the discharged effluents on the receiving part of river and suggest for a regular and continuous monitoring program.