Analysis of Various Physico-Chemical Factors of Gang Canal Near Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan)

Civilization arose along the banks of the rivers, lakes and coastalstretches where the food security and water security were assured. The riversand streams are the major features on any landscape. River streams & canal thatflow over a sloping surface in a definite direction constitute the lotic system in afresh water environment. During the 20th century, scientific and technologicaladvancement coupled with population explosion and change in life style hasresulted in exerting enormous pressure on natural ecosystem and resources.With increasing population and economic development the waterrequirements grew rapidly and storage reservoirs then became the most effectivetools for eliminating the discrepancies of water availability in time and space. Inthe present day the reservoirs and used for multipurpose like flood control, generation of hydro electricity, drinking water supply irrigations, fishery and manymore uses, Irrigation is a major purposes for building up dams A complicatednetwork of supply of channels is laid-out from the dam to the surrounding areadepending the amount of water available. The canal thus is akin to the riveremanating from lakes. The contribute to the maintenance of depth and basinstructure of the lake by removing the suspended load.Characteristics required for irrigation water one also specific. Theirrigation water often brings in logging, solanity and alkalinity problems. It is, therefore, very important to know the quality of irrigation water so as to gaugethe possible effects of this water on the soil;. The chemical characteristics ofirrigation water is more or less those required for fishery waters.

The study area (Gang Canal) is located in the district Ganganagar inthe desert north western part of the state of Rajasthan (Lat 29" - 08' to 30" - 12'longitude 73" - 05' to 73" - 58" ) The canal system is brought to this region fromPunjab and at present irrigates extensive tracts of this otherwise desert region.The Ganga Canal brought from the river Satluj is the precursor of the present Indira Gandhi Canal. This Gang Canal was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of theerstwhile princely State of Bikaner in the year 1927. The canal flows almostthroughout the year carrying water to these inhabitants of the area for their domesticand agricultural use. The morphometric features of Gang Canal are given in thetable. Morphometric features of Gang Canal Latitude29° - 08' to 30° - 12'Longitude73" - 05' to 739 - 58'Attitude550 m (above mean sea level) Total length of Gang Canal (Bikaner Canal) 129 Km. (all lined) Length of Gang Canal feeder73 Km (all unlined)Width (of Gang Canal feeder)90 ft. Full Supply depth of Gang Canal feeder7 Ft.Full Supply discharge of Gang Canal feeder1450 cusec.

Analytical reagent grade were used throughout the study without any further purification. To prepare all the reagents and calibrations standardsdesirable glass distilled water was used. The metal standards,

Water samples were collected in pre-cleaned and sterilized polyethylenebottles of one liter capacity. The sampling was done between 9-11 am and watersample were collected from middle of the canal. The samples were taken byholding the bottle at the bottom to avoid any contamination. The samples werebrought to the laboratory and immediately tested for dissolved O, and B.O.D.Other selected parameters were measured within 6-12 hrs of collection of samples.The sampling was done two times from the same site each after one fortnightinterval.The pH, total hardness, total alkalinity, chloride, dissolved oxygen, B.O.D. (biological oxygen demand), and free CO, of water samples was analyzed by following standards.

The chemical nature of running water varies from region to region. Inthese variations, there is always a reflection of the local geography and climateThe biota of the water also exerts selective effect on many dissolved substances. Given below is the discussion of the chemical structure of the GangCanal in relation to the similar studies elsewhere in the world.

Drusilla et al (2004) have recorded pH from 7.15 - 3.0 in courtllum (Tamil Nadu) . In present study High value of pH is recorded in winter (Dec)8.68 and lower in monsoon - 8.18. The lower value of pH during July may be attributed to heavy rainfall during themonth.It is clear from the observation that the season had a great influence on Ph. The pH showed a direct relationship with alkalinity.

There is a direct correlation b/w chloride concentration and pollution chlorideis present in fresh water and in high abundance in all marine and coastal waters.In Gang Canal, High value of chlorinity occur in summer i.e. 36.40(July), which can be attributed to consequent decrease in volume of water, due tothe camel intake, bathing, and mixing of cattle excreta.

BOD is the measure of the amount of oxygen, required by bacteria and other micro-organisms while stabilizing decomposable organic matter. High value of BOD indicates the organic pollution.In Present study Maximum value10.12mg/l of BOD is reported in monsoon (Aug.). Minimum value of BOD is1.95 mg/l in winter (Dec.).Due to increase in Bacterial growth, O, demand increases, organic matter increasesin rainy season.

October month (84 mg/l) due to increased rate of decomposition and minimum value was recordedin August 28 mg/l. This is due to rain causing dilution of water. Ghosh and Sharma et al (1988) reported maxim alkalinity as 210 mg/l.in river, Ganga.

CONCLUSION

From the above analysis, it was found that in the water sample taken from the Gang Canal of Sri Ganganagar city of Rajasthan; all the parameters show more or less fluctuations during different seasons of the year. The outcome average value of Hardness, dissolved oxygen and pH showed that Gang Canal water is suitable for agriculture and fish production.

REFERENCES

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Department of Zoology, Ch. Ballu Ram Godara Govt.Girls (P.G) college, Sri Ganganagar