Immersion01_02

EFFECT OF IDOL IMMERSION IN THE RIVER GANGA : A CASE STUDY.

During the Puja festival in West Bengal, a huge number of idols are immersed in the river Ganga every year. The idols are painted with different metal based paints. On immersion of these idols in the river, the river water is contaminated with these metal paints and a change in chemical load in the river body is expected. With this objective in mind , like last year , the Board decided to monitor the effect of idol immersion in the river Ganga with respect to change in Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD) and metal contamination.

The monitoring was conducted in four phases between October 2001 and February 2002.

The first phase was conducted during immersion of Durga idols in the period between 26.10.2001 and 29.10.2001 at two spots in the river Ganga (a) Police Jetty near Babughat and (b) Shibpur Swasan Ghat . The second phase was conducted during immersion of Kali idols in the period between 16.11.2001 and 18.11.2001 from the same two spots.

To study the effect of idol immersion in confined water body, samples were collected from a pond adjacent to Subhasnagar Maidan, DumDum Cantonment. The fourth phase of the study was conducted at Ranighat, Chandannagar during immersion of Jagadhatri idols in the river Ganga during the period between 25.11.2001 and 26.11.2001.

In all the phases water samples were drawn from the spots in regular time intervals and were subsequently analysed for COD and metal contents .The results thus obtained were compared with those of the control which was collected from the same spots earlier and later. Besides the water samples, solid samples from river bank at these spots were also collected to study the metal deposition in them in comparison to control solid samples collected earlier and later from same spots. A part of idol was also collected to study the metal content in them.

Finally, water and soil samples were collected from the same spots after a couple of months and the river was almost free from idol immersion activities and studied for metal contamination or deposition if any.

The results thus obtained are tabulated below:

PHASE-I. STATION :I. POLICE JETTY NEAR BABUGHAT

TABLE-IA : Control Water Study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1A	25.9.2001	1.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.081	0.103	12.00
2A	08.2.2002	12.30PM	BDL	BDL	0.022	BDL	BDL	0.04	BDL	4.08

TABLE IB :Study of Water samples collected during immersion of Durga idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1A	26.10.2001	4.00PM	BDL	0.024	BDL	BDL	0.028	1.66	5.48	10.00
2A	26.10.2001	6.15PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.18	0.014	10.00
3A	26.10.2001	8.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.11	0.062	10.00
4A	26.10.2001	10.00PM	BDL	0.024	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.17	0.046	20.00
5A	27.10.2001	12.00Hrs.	BDL	BDL	0.023	BDL	BDL	0.20	0.01	20.00
6A	28.10.2001	4.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.13	0.12	10.00
7A	28.10.2001	6.20PM	BDL	0.02	BDL	BDL	0.21	0.10	0.04	10.00
8A	28.10.2001	8.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.09	0.04	10.00
9A	28.10.2001	10.30PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.05	0.02	10.00
10A	29.10.2001	12.15AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.13	0.044	10.00
11A	29.10.2001	2.00AM	BDL	BDL	0.844	BDL	0.024	1.02	3.48	10.00

TABLE IC : study of samples collected during immersion of Kali idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
12A	16.11.2001	4.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.05	0.004	BDL	0.04	BDL	2.00
13A	16.11.2001	6.30PM	BDL	BDL	0.056	BDL	BDL	0.08	0.018	2.00
14A	16.11.2001	8.25PM	BDL	BDL	0.052	0.010	BDL	0.07	0.022	2.00
15A	16.11.2001	10.40PM	BDL	BDL	0.038	0.006	BDL	0.13	BDL	2.00
16A	17.11.2001	12.05AM	BDL	BDL	0.36	BDL	BDL	0.04	BDL	2.00
17A	17.11.2001	4.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.034	BDL	BDL	0.01	0.03	10.00
18A	17.11.2001	6.20PM	BDL	BDL	0.024	BDL	BDL	0.01	0.008	2.00
19A	17.11.2001	8.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.024	0.003	BDL	0.05	0.024	4.00
20A	17.11.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.048	0.004	BDL	0.02	0.034	2.00
21A	18.11.2001	12.20AM	BDL	BDL	0.04	BDL	BDL	0.02	BDL	2.00

TABLE ID : CONTROL SOIL SAMPLE STUDY

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1A	25.09.2001	1.00PM	BDL	0.014	BDL	BDL	0.01	0.06	0.06
2A	08.02.2002	12.30PM	BDL	BDL	0.033	BDL	0.009	0.065	BDL

TABLE IE :SOIL SAMPLE STUDY DURING IMMERSION

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
4A	17.11.2001	11.30PM	BDL	0.003	0.039	BDL	0.012	0.08	0.054
3A	18.11.2001	12.30AM	BDL	0.003	0.035	BDL	0.024	0.25	0.043
1A	27.10.2001	12 hrs	BDL	0.016	0.118	BDL	0.017	0.075	0.036
2A	28.10.2001	11.00PM	BDL	0.036	0.046	BDL	0.63	0.12	0.03

TABLE IF : PART OF IDOL(SOLID SAMPLES)

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1A	17.11.2001	11.30PM	BDL	2.25	0.045	BDL	0.016	0.09	14.80

PHASE :II STATION II : SHIBPUR SWASHAN GHAT

TABLE-II A : Control Water Study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1B	25.09.2001	12.30PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.167	0.102	26.00
2B	08.02.2002	1.10PM	BDL	0.124	0.024	BDL	BDL	0.092	BDL	22.44

TABLE II B :Study of Water samples collected during immersion of Durga idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1B	26.10.2001	4.10 PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.013	BDL	0.144	0.354	20.00
2B	26.10.2001	6.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.054	0.064	10.00
3B	26.10.2001	8.15PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.172	0.066	40.00
4B	26.10.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.100	0.108	10.00
5B	27.10.2001	12.20AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.050	0.026	20.00
6B	28.10.2001	4.30PM	BDL	BDL	0.046	BDL	BDL	0.24	0.038	10.00
7B	28.10.2001	6.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.010	BDL	BDL	0.22	0.040	20.00
8B	28.10.2001	8.30PM	BDL	0.02	BDL	BDL	0.02	0.492	0.596	10.00
9B	28.10.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.034	0.34	0.19	10.00
10B	28.10.2001	11.50PM	BDL	BDL	0.038	BDL	BDL	0.11	0.18	10.00

TABLE 11C : Study of water samples collected during immersion of Kali idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
11B	16.11.2001	4.30.PM	BDL	BDL	0.034	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.01	2.00
12B	16.11.2001	6.00PM	BDL	0.02	0.032	BDL	BDL	0.05	0.05	9.68
13B	16.11.2001	8.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.058	BDL	0.08	0.15	0.04	10.00
14B	16.11.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.038	BDL	BDL	0.04	BDL	2.00
15B	17.11.2001	12.30AM	BDL	BDL	0.036	BDL	BDL	0.04	0.016	8.00
16B	17.11.2001	4.20PM	BDL	BDL	0.044	BDL	BDL	0.14	0.010	6.00
17B	17.11.2001	6.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.040	BDL	BDL	0.10	0.020	22.00
18B	17.11.2001	8.20PM	BDL	BDL	0.048	BDL	0.001	0.11	0.026	16.00
19B	17.11.2001	10.20PM	BDL	BDL	0.032	BDL	BDL	0.07	0.014	6.00
20B	18.11.2001	12.00Hrs	BDL	BDL	0.044	BDL	BDL	0.34	BDL	10.00

TABLE 11D : Control Soil Sample study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1B	25.09.2001	12.30PM	BDL	0.132	BDL	BDL	0.01	0.071	0.060
2B	08.02.2002	1.10PM	BDL	0.002	0.024	BDL	0.002	0.146	BDL

TABLE 11 E :Soil Sample Study during immersion

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
3B	27.10.2001	12.20AM	BDL	0.029	0.030	0.002	0.028	0.093	0.017
4B	28.10.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.030	0.104	0.024
5B	18.11.2001	12.30AM	BDL	0.052	0.131	BDL	0.056	0.107	0.098
6B	18.11.2001	10.20PM	BDL	BDL	0.024	BDL	0.012	0.050	0.005

PHASE –III . STATION III : POND ADJACENT TO SUBHAS NAGAR MAIDAN, DUMDUM CANTONMENT

TABLE-III A : Control Water Study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1A	28.09.2001	7.00AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.012	0.026	19.76

TABLE III B :Study of Water samples collected during immersion of Durga idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1A	27.10.2001	11.10PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.22	0.066	10.00
2A	28.10.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.008	BDL	BDL	0.10	0.034	40.00

TABLE III C : CONTROL SOIL SAMPLE STUDY

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1A	28.09.2001	7.00AM	BDL	0.02	BDL	BDL	0.01	0.14	0.10

TABLE 11I D :Soil Sample Study during immersion

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
2	27.10.2001	11.15PM	BDL	0.015	0.042	BDL	0.020	0.14	0.33
3	28.10.2001	10.15PM	BDL	0.04	0.061	BDL	0.031	0.178	0.027

PHASE-IV. STATION :IV. RANIGHAT,CHANDANNAGAR

TABLE-IVA : Control Water Study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1	26.09.2001	8.30PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.025	0.09	20.00
2	27.09.2001	8.20AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.053	0.13	14.00
3	31.01.2002	4.35PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	2.20
4	31.01.2002	9.45AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	4.40

TABLE IV B :Study of Water samples collected during immersion of Jagadhatri idols

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/l	TOTAL Cr mg/l	Cu mg/l	Cd mg/l	Ni mg/l	Zn mg/l	Pb mg/l	COD mg/l
1	25.11.2001	12 NOON	BDL	BDL	0.01	BDL	BDL	0.028	BDL	9.80
2	25.11.2001	2.00PM	BDL	0.01	0.024	BDL	0.004	0.07	BDL	9.80
3	25.11.2001	4.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.01	BDL	BDL	0.022	BDL	3.92
4	25.11.2001	6.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.02	BDL	BDL	0.04	0.052	3.92
5	25.11.2001	8.00PM	BDL	BDL	0.044	BDL	BDL	0.124	0.38	3.92
6	25.11.2001	10.00PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.022	0.044	3.92
7	26.11.2001	12.00Hrs	BDL	BDL	0.01	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.018	5.88
8	26.11.2001	2.00AM	BDL	BDL	0.014	BDL	BDL	0.008	BDL	7.84
9	26.11.2001	4.00AM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.004	0.044	1.96
10	26.11.2001	6.00AM	BDL	BDL	0.01	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.01	11.76
11	26.11.2001	8.00AM	BDL	BDL	0.014	BDL	BDL	0.02	BDL	7.84
12	26.11.2001	10.20AM	BDL	BDL	0.016	BDL	BDL	0.03	BDL	5.88
13	26.11.2001	12.00NOON	BDL	0.002	0.014	BDL	BDL	0.026	BDL	11.76
14	26.11.2001	2.30PM	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.026	BDL	7.84
15	26.11.2001	4.00PM	BDL	0.003	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.036	BDL	7.84

TABLE 1V C : Control Soil Sample study

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1	27.09.2001	8.35PM	BDL	0.004	BDL	BDL	0.005	0.106	0.123
2	31.01.2002	9.45AM	BDL	0.002	BDL	BDL	BDL	0.047	BDL

TABLE 1V D:Soil Sample Study during immersion

SAMPLE CODE	DATE OF COLLECTION	TIME OF COLLECTION	Cr⁺⁶ mg/g	TOTAL Cr mg/g	Cu mg/g	Cd mg/g	Ni mg/g	Zn mg/g	Pb mg/g
1	26.11.2001	2.30PM	BDL	0.013	0.038	BDL	BDL	0.061	0.018

From the above tabulated results the following interpretations may be drawn :

1) The COD values of the samples as compared to their respective controls indicated only little or no significant changes.

2) A part of Kali idol was collected and metal content of the paints on the idol part was analysed. The values obtained indicated presence of significant amount of metals like chromium and lead .

3) The hexavalent and total Chromium , Cadmium, Copper, Nickel, Lead, Zinc content in the digested water samples indicated little or no significant contamination in river water due to idol immersion as compared to their respective controls.

4) The study of the water samples collected a couple of months later from the same spots when the river was almost free from idol immersion activities indicated very little or no significant metal or chemical contamination in the river body. The contamination observed during idol immersion had been carried away during the lapse of time.

5) The soil samples collected from the river bank at the immersion sites a couple of days after the immersion indicated some deposition of metal based material and similar study of the soil samples collected a couple of months later indicated that the deposition had been washed away during the lapse of time.

CONCLUSION: Comparison of the results obtained in this study with the review of water quality objectives, requirements and zoning and classification for Indian water Bodies, published by CPCB, June 2001, indicated that the average chemical and metal contamination due to idol immersion activities in the samples collected from the river Ganga is not a major environmental problem. Though in some isolated cases the values obtained are high enough, as the rivers are open systems, the retention time is very low. Any alteration in water quality or discharge of pollution would thus, not remain at one location for long. As seen in this particular study, the metal content of the parts of idols which is high enough contributed only a little in the water body of the river Ganga and the contamination whatsoever is subsequently carried away in the flow of river.

For other parameters which are being regularly monitored under GAP project, namely pH, BOD, Nitrate, Nitrite and Electrical conductivity etc. have values which indicate that the water body of the river in the vicinity of the idol immersion spots are of excellent to desirable quality. For total and feacal Coliform results however indicate that the river body is not within excellent, desirable or acceptable quality. This is because of anthropogenic and other natural and industrial sources.

The study of the effect of idol immersion in the confined water body also indicated only little or no significant changes.

Human interests and religious sentiments can not be ignored or downgraded in importance and metal and chemical contamination during idol immersion activities in the river and in the confined water body under study is not posing a serious environmental threat as seen in the case study for the last two years.

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