Integrated hydrochemical assessment and water quality evaluation of the Sabarmati River in a metropolitan region of western India

Le résumé fourni par la source

Urban rivers in rapidly developing regions face increasing pressure from population growth, industrial activity, and inadequate wastewater treatment. The Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India—a highly industrialized and urbanized area—is a vital surface water source used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs. However, human activities are exerting growing stress on it. This study examines the hydrochemical characteristics and sustainability of the Sabarmati River to assess its current condition and future potential. It includes an in-depth hydrochemical analysis of 10 urban sampling sites, covering physicochemical, heavy-metal, and geochemical indicators, and employing multivariate statistical methods. The application of the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) revealed that 70% of samples showed no restrictions, while 20% and 10% indicated moderate and low restrictions, respectively. The Water Quality Index (WQI) results showed 40% of the water was of excellent quality, and 60% was good for drinking. Piper and Durov diagrams indicated a shift from Na-Cl to Ca-Cl hydrogeochemical facies, and Gibbs diagrams suggested rock weathering as the dominant geochemical process. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified key pollution sources, including salinity, nutrient overload, and industrial metals. Despite generally acceptable water quality, local pollution hotspots exhibited high salinity and mercury levels. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) averaged 87.15, with several sites, especially industrial zones, exceeding safe levels. It is important to recognize that these findings stem from data collected over a single season, which might not reflect seasonal changes in hydrochemical conditions. Despite this, the study offers a valuable baseline of urban river water quality and underscores the impact of human activities and natural geochemical processes. The results highlight the necessity for better wastewater management, stricter regulation enforcement, and ongoing, multi-season monitoring to promote sustainable and resilient urban water systems management.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.