Seasonal Variation of Nickel and Zinc Concentration in Water of River Yamuna, Delhi, India

Yamuna river is the longest and second-largest tributary of the Ganga river. The tenacious river pollution concentrations of Nickel and Zinc were determined in water from river Yamuna, at Delhi. The polluted river water is mostly used for drinking, agricultural or aquacultural purposes and also stored as holy water. Due to growing community extension, farm and residential advancement and rapid technological progress are significant origins of the decay of lead in Yamuna river and various water sources.

The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal variation of Nickel and Zinc concentration in Yamuna river water from summer, monsoon and winter and water samples were collected from five different sites of the river. The seasonal variation of metal concentration is determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) & Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

The Ni and Zn concentrations in Yamuna river water are higher than the limits of WHO set for heavy metals. The highest concentration of Ni and Zn metals in river water are found in the summer season. It is universally-known that the Ni and Zn are majorly toxic in nature. The exposure of the Ni and Zn through water is chronic toxicity, which could be quite harmful to humans as well as underwater life.

This research study shows that the water quality of the Yamuna river is not fit for drinking, bathing, agricultural purpose and aquatic life. The existing condition of the Yamuna river is of serious concern, and remediation of the river to prevent current and further pollution is the critical need for environmental conservation.