Skip to main content

Principles of Water Quality


Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, determining its suitability for various uses (drinking, agriculture, recreation, and ecology). Key parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).

1. Suspended and Dissolved Solids

  • Suspended Solids (SS): These are undissolved particles (silt, clay, sand, organic matter) suspended in water.

    • Measurement: Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in milligrams per liter (mg/L).
    • Impact: Cause turbidity, reducing light penetration and harming aquatic life. Can carry pollutants.
    • Example: Construction or agricultural runoff.
  • Dissolved Solids (DS): These are substances completely dissolved in water, forming ions (salts, minerals, gases).

    • Measurement: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in mg/L, often estimated by conductivity.
    • Impact: Affect taste, aquatic life, irrigation, and industrial use. Can indicate pollution (high salt/metal concentrations).
    • Example: Salinity in coastal areas, mineral leaching from rocks.

2. Electrical Conductivity (EC)

  • Definition: Measures water's ability to conduct electricity, reflecting the concentration of dissolved ions. Higher ion concentration, higher EC.
  • Units: Microsiemens per centimeter (Β΅S/cm) or millisiemens per centimeter (mS/cm).
  • Factors: Primarily influenced by dissolved salts, minerals, and metals.
  • Example: High in seawater, low in pure water.
  • Significance: Indicates potential salinity issues, industrial contamination, or high nutrient levels (leading to eutrophication).

3. pH of Water

  • Definition: Measures water acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0-14 (7 is neutral).
  • Significance: Affects solubility and toxicity of chemicals (e.g., heavy metals, nutrients). Most aquatic life thrives in a pH range of 6.5-8.5.
  • Impact:
    • Acidic water (pH < 6): Can leach heavy metals (lead, copper) from pipes, harmful to humans and aquatic life.
    • Basic water (pH > 8.5): Affects nutrient availability, causes scale formation in pipes.
  • Example: Acid rain (pH < 5.6) from fossil fuel burning acidifies water bodies.

4. Trace Constituents

  • Definition: Elements or compounds (heavy metals, trace nutrients, organic pollutants) present in small amounts but with significant impacts.
  • Significance: Can be toxic to aquatic life, harm human health, and disrupt ecosystems.
  • Example: Mercury accumulation in the food chain.

5. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

  • Definition: Amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water (typically measured over 5 days at 20Β°C).
  • Units: Milligrams per liter (mg/L).
  • Significance: Indicates organic pollution level. High BOD suggests high levels of biodegradable material (sewage, food waste), depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life.
  • Example: Untreated sewage discharge in a river.

6. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

  • Definition: Total oxygen required to oxidize both biodegradable and non-biodegradable organic substances in water.
  • Units: Milligrams per liter (mg/L).
  • Significance: Measures total oxygen demand, including non-biodegradable substances (COD is usually higher than BOD).
  • Example: Industrial effluents containing organic chemicals.

Comparison of BOD and COD

ParameterBOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
DefinitionOxygen demand from microbial activityOxygen demand from both biological and chemical processes
PurposeMeasures biodegradable organic matterMeasures total organic matter
Typical Range1-300 mg/L for natural waters20-500 mg/L for polluted waters
UsageIndicator of organic pollution and oxygen depletionEstimates pollution load, especially when BOD is impractical
DecompositionBiologically degraded by microorganismsCan be chemically oxidized, including non-biodegradable compounds
ExampleSewage water, food wasteIndustrial effluents, chemical runoff

Summary

Water quality is assessed through various parameters. Understanding these principles is crucial for assessing water suitability, implementing effective water treatment, and promoting sustainable water management.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

KSHEC Scholarship 2024-25

KSHEC Scholarship 2024-25 Alert! First-Year UG Students Only, Don't Miss This Golden Opportunity! πŸ’‘βœ¨ Are you a first-year undergraduate student studying in a Government or Aided College in Kerala? Do you need financial assistance to continue your education without stress? The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) Scholarship is here to support YOU!  This scholarship is a lifeline for deserving students, helping them focus on their studies without worrying about financial burdens. If you meet the criteria, APPLY NOW and take a step towards a brighter future! 🌟 βœ… Simple Online Application – Quick & easy process!  πŸ“Œ Who Can Apply? βœ”οΈ First-year UG students ONLY βœ”οΈ Must be studying in an Arts & Science Government or Aided college in Kerala βœ”οΈ Professional Course students are not eligible  πŸ”Ή Scholarship Amounts Per Year: πŸ“Œ 1st Year FYUGP – β‚Ή12,000 πŸ“Œ 2nd Year FYUGP – β‚Ή18,000 πŸ“Œ 3rd Year FYUGP – β‚Ή24,000 πŸ“Œ 4th Year FYUGP – β‚Ή40,000 πŸ“Œ 5th Year PG – β‚Ή60,000  Great News...

Disaster Management

1. Disaster Risk Analysis β†’ Disaster Risk Reduction β†’ Disaster Management Cycle Disaster Risk Analysis is the first step in managing disasters. It involves assessing potential hazards, identifying vulnerable populations, and estimating possible impacts. Once risks are identified, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies come into play. DRR aims to reduce risk and enhance resilience through planning, infrastructure development, and policy enforcement. The Disaster Management Cycle then ensures a structured approach by dividing actions into pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster phases . Example Connection: Imagine a coastal city prone to cyclones: Risk Analysis identifies low-lying areas and weak infrastructure. Risk Reduction includes building seawalls, enforcing strict building codes, and training residents for emergency situations. The Disaster Management Cycle ensures ongoing preparedness, immediate response during a cyclone, and long-term recovery afterw...

Pre During and Post Disaster

Disaster management is a structured approach aimed at reducing risks, responding effectively, and ensuring a swift recovery from disasters. It consists of three main phases: Pre-Disaster (Mitigation & Preparedness), During Disaster (Response), and Post-Disaster (Recovery). These phases involve various strategies, policies, and actions to protect lives, property, and the environment. Below is a breakdown of each phase with key concepts, terminologies, and examples. 1. Pre-Disaster Phase (Mitigation and Preparedness) Mitigation: This phase focuses on reducing the severity of a disaster by minimizing risks and vulnerabilities. It involves structural and non-structural measures. Hazard Identification: Recognizing potential natural and human-made hazards (e.g., earthquakes, floods, industrial accidents). Risk Assessment: Evaluating the probability and consequences of disasters using GIS, remote sensing, and historical data. Vulnerability Analysis: Identifying areas and p...

Mapping Process

The mapping process involves several systematic steps to transform real-world spatial information into a readable, accurate, and useful representation. Below is a structured explanation of each step in the mapping process, with key concepts, terminologies, and examples. 1. Defining the Purpose of the Map Before creating a map, it is essential to determine its purpose and audience . Different maps serve different objectives, such as navigation, analysis, or communication. Types of Maps Based on Purpose: Thematic Maps: Focus on specific subjects (e.g., climate maps, population density maps). Topographic Maps: Show natural and human-made features (e.g., contour maps, landform maps). Tourist Maps: Highlight attractions, roads, and landmarks for travelers. Cadastral Maps: Used in land ownership and property boundaries. Navigational Maps: Used in GPS systems for wayfinding. Example: A disaster risk map for floods will highlight flood-prone areas, emergency shelters, and ...

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Disaster management involves several phases, including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation . Recovery and rehabilitation are post-disaster activities that aim to restore normalcy and improve resilience in affected areas. 1. Recovery Recovery is the long-term process of rebuilding communities, infrastructure, economy, and social systems after a disaster. It focuses on restoring normalcy while incorporating resilience measures to withstand future disasters. Short-term Recovery – Immediate efforts within weeks or months to restore essential services (e.g., water, electricity, healthcare, shelter). Long-term Recovery – Efforts that take months to years, including rebuilding infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mental health support. Resilience – The ability of a community to recover quickly and adapt to future disasters. Livelihood Restoration – Providing economic support to affected populations through job creation, skill training, a...