Ritesh Vijay

Assessment of water quality using cluster analysis in coastal region of Mumbai, India

The coastal water quality of Mumbai is deteriorating due to various point and non-point wastewater sources. Hence, it is desirable to monitor coastal water quality for various water-related activities like bathing, contact water sports, recreation, and commercial fishing. The objective of this paper is to assess the seasonal water quality on the basis of seawater standards. Based on water-quality analysis of 17 seafronts and beaches, most of the parameters were exceeding the standards. The statistical cluster analysis was carried out for evaluating impact of wastewater and sewage discharges. The hierarchical cluster analysis resulted into three clustered groups, namely less polluted, moderately polluted, and highly polluted sites with similar characteristics of water quality. Mahim was found to be worst-affected beach due to incoming organic load from the Mithi river in comparison to other seafronts and beaches. Unaccounted sources of sewage and wastewater should be identified and rerouted through sewerage system by improving collection efficiency, treatment, and proper disposal for achieving designated receiving water quality standards.

Assessment of groundwater quality in Puri City, India: an impact of anthropogenic activities

Puri City is situated on the east coast of India and receives water supply only from the groundwater sources demarcated as water fields. The objective of this paper is to assess and evaluate the groundwater quality due to impact of anthropogenic activities in the city. Groundwater samples were collected from the water fields, hand pumps, open wells, and open water bodies during post-monsoon 2006 and summer 2007. Groundwater quality was evaluated with drinking water standards as prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards and Environmental Protection Agency to assess the suitability. The study indicated seasonal variation of water-quality parameters within the water fields and city area. Groundwater in the water fields was found to be suitable for drinking after disinfection. While in city area, groundwater quality was impacted by onsite sanitary conditions. The study revealed that groundwater quality was deteriorated due to the discharge of effluent from septic tanks, soak pits, pit latrines, discharges of domestic wastewater in leaky drains, and leachate from solid waste dumpsite. Based on observed groundwater quality, various mitigation measures were suggested to protect the water fields and further groundwater contamination in the city.

Estimation and allocation of solid waste to bin through geographical information systems

This study presents a geographical information system (GIS)-based procedure for the precise estimation of solid waste generation, computed using the local population density and income group distribution. Using a triangulated irregular network (TIN) in a GIS environment, the procedure further determines the command area for waste allocation to a particular bin which is generally located so the route slopes towards the collection points for ease of transportation by cart pullers. Computational results of bin location, type, size and the frequency of removal are presented for a typical urban area with known population density, income group distribution, road network and topology.

Hydrodynamic assessment of sewage impact on water quality of Malad Creek, Mumbai, India

The rapid population growth and uncontrolled development in the coastal zone have led to major pollution impacts on creeks, estuarine, and coastal environment. Water quality models are valuable tools to understand the environmental processes for prediction of pollution impacts and evaluate future trends for management. Presently, the Malad creek in west coast of Mumbai receives wastewater and sewage from open drains and partially treated sewage from Malad and Versova treatment plants. The objective of the paper is to assess the environmental quality and estimate the extent of improvement in different parts of the creek by enhancing the collection efficiency and adequate treatment of sewage as well as disposal through ocean outfall. A hydrodynamic and water quality simulation has been carried out for the present condition in the creek and calibrated and validated with two different season data for better representation of the system. Calibrated model has been used to generate future scenarios based on various options. Among scenarios, option of treated effluent diverted to propose outfall and improvement in collection of unorganized flow through sewerage up to 40% and 60% are found most significant for biochemical oxygen demand reduction and increase in dissolved oxygen. Fecal coliform reduction is also found drastically but still very high against standard. To improve the environmental quality of the creek, still upper stretch requires more dilution and flushing due to narrow width and contribution of heavy pollution from open drains.

GIS-based locational analysis of collection bins in municipal solid waste management systems

Solid waste management systems currently receive wide attention, from both economic and environmental planners, because of their complexity during coordination of various management strategies. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of route optimization and disposal site selection depend largely upon the appropriate placement of storage bins and their corresponding command area for waste contribution. The present paper illustrates a geographic information system (GIS) based algorithm for optimal location and number of storage bins, considering p-median constrained model, based on Indian guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Rules. The algorithm also computes the contributing command area of solid waste to a particular bin, based on the shortest distance, with descending slope for ease in solid waste collection.

Identification and leaching characteristics of sludge generated from metal pickling and electroplating industries by toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP)

One of Indias major concerns is the increasing level of land pollution largely due to the uncontrolled disposal of industrialsolid and hazardous waste. With rapid industrialization, thegeneration of industrial solid and hazardous waste has increasedappreciably and the nature of waste generated has become complex.Their impacts on the ecological bodies are noticeable. The article describes the details of studies conducted using Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure, to estimate the toxicity effects of the metals viz., chromium, zinc, manganese,iron, nickel, cobalt and copper by the Zero Headspace Extractorfor the sludges generated from effluent treatment plant of steeltube, wire and plating industries on environment constituentslike groundwater, surface water and land. Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure determines the mobility of organic and inorganic analytes of liquid, solid or multiphase waste from hazardous solid wastes in the form of primary and secondary extracts. These extracts are mixed in equal volumeproportion and analyzed by Direct Reading 2000 spectrophotometer.The amount of heavy metals observed during the studies in theleachates were found and the results were compared with HazardousWaste categories as per Indian Standards, TCLP regulatory limitsgiven by United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) andGermany Leachate Quality Standards and it was observed that theywere on higher side, needing a proper preventive concept of sludge management including handling, treatment, recovery and disposal.

Water quality assessment of Malad Creek, Mumbai, India: an impact of sewage and tidal water

The aim of the study was to carry out water quality assessment and to identify sources responsible for deterioration of quality in the Malad creek, Mumbai, India. Creek receives sewage and wastewater from various drains and partially treated effluent from Malad and Versova treatment facilities. To assess the water quality, sampling locations were identified in the creek based on discharges of wastewater and sewage. Identified locations were traced in physical space by a global positioning system. Samples were collected during low and high tides and analyzed for physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters such as pH, Turbidity, DO, BOD, NH(3)-N, PO(4) and FC and compared with SW-II Standards. Parameters were also analyzed statistically and correlated to determine the relationship amongst the parameters using SPSS software. The idea was to determine the probable causes contributing to the pollution in the creek. Various options were suggested for improvement in the creek quality based on water quality assessment.

Monitoring changes in land use land cover of Yamuna riverbed in Delhi: a multi-temporal analysis

Impact of anthropogenic activities has led to significant changes in riverbeds over a period of time. The objective of the study was to monitor the land use land cover (LULC) of Yamuna riverbed in Delhi and to assess the changes due to natural and anthropogenic activities. The maximum likelihood classification was carried out by using March 1977, April 1999, April 2002 and February 2009 imageries. An overall accuracy of LULC classification of 2009 imagery was around 88.6% based on ground truth data. A significant reduction in the main river course and increase in agricultural activities as well as built up were observed in remote sensing analysis as an outcome of riverbed encroachments. The changed scenario of riverbed not only stresses the riverine ecosystem but also jeopardizes the future consequences on river hydraulics.

Development of GIS-based environmental information system: an Indian scenario

Abstract Ideally, scientists should be able to format, explore, analyse, and visualise data in a simple, powerful and fast application that would seamlessly integrate georeferenced data from a variety of data sources into an intuitive visualisation. The focus of an Environmental Information System is providing environmental information to decision makers, policy planners, scientists and engineers, research workers, etc. which ensures integration of data collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to all concerned. All such queries should be responded to supplying substantive information in the form of reports. The paper presents an innovative way to utilise the geographic information associated with the environmental data. The stand-alone application is the integration of using ArcObjects Environmental System Research Institute ArcGIS Engine 9.1 and VB.Net. The geographic information system (GIS)-based application, a framework of digital earth in terms of environmental information system provides a user-friendly query interface, which gives information about various environmental parameters in tabular as well as on map display. It also provides the visual interpretation to make further analysis and future decisions at multiple scales, locations and extents. The facility for modifying the map attributes and corresponding databases is integrated to update the information system. Output spatial data are produced in the form of reports using selected fields with display on map.

Prioritization of catchments based on soil erosion using remote sensing and GIS

Water and soil are the most essential natural resources for socioeconomic development and sustenance of life. A study of soil and water dynamics at a watershed level facilitates a scientific approach towards their conservation and management. Remote sensing and Geographic Information System are tools that help to plan and manage natural resources on watershed basis. Studies were conducted for the formulation of catchment area treatment plan based on watershed prioritization with soil erosion studies using remote sensing techniques, corroborated with Geographic Information System (GIS), secondary data and ground truth information. Estimation of runoff and sediment yield is necessary in prioritization of catchment for the design of soil conservation structures and for identifying the critical erosion-prone areas of a catchment for implementation of best management plan with limited resources. The Universal Soil Loss Equation, Sediment Yield Determination and silt yield index methods are used for runoff and soil loss estimation for prioritization of the catchments. On the basis of soil erosion classes, the watersheds were grouped into very high, high, moderate and low priorities. High-priority watersheds need immediate attention for soil and water conservation, whereas low-priority watershed having good vegetative cover and low silt yield index may not need immediate attention for such treatments.