Pollutants in Ganga destroying river purifying algae colonies: Study

Colonies of a major group of algae, which grow inside the river Ganga and act as its purifier, have fallen considerably due to change in river chemistry following human generated pollutants and sewage falling indiscriminately into the river.

Colonies of a major group of algae (diatoms), which grow inside the river Ganga and act as its purifier, have fallen considerably due to change in river chemistry following human generated pollutants and sewage falling indiscriminately in the river.

Detergent is a major killer of these algae colonies, which act as river Ganga’s purifiers. (HT Photo)

Growing pollution has made a drastic change in Nitrogen-Phosphorous (NP) ratio essential for the growth of these algae colonies in the river, revealed a scientific study carried out by a group of four scientists headed by Prof Jeetendra Pandey of BHU.

“Many purifiers (the group of algae) automatically grow in the river Ganga. Essential NP ratio for normal growth of the purifiers (diatoms) is 16:1. Sewage falling indiscriminately into the river, human generated pollutions, and excess use of detergents altered the NP ratio,” Prof Pandey told HT. Over 10 big drains fall into the river.

As a result, increase in proportion of phosphorous in the river Ganga is relatively much higher than that of nitrogen. Imbalanced NP ratio radically changed the environment in the river that affected population of the purifiers and their colonies.

The team noticed a positive sign as well during the research, which began in 2011 and concluded in 2014. They noticed that despite all these ‘stress factors,’ many of these purifiers (many algae) have acclimatized them into the new environmental condition in the river. Scientists call them stress resilient purifiers.

Pandey and his team collected water samples from various locations between Allahabad and Varanasi. They preferred collection samples at the confluence of Ganga-Yamuna, Ganga-Gomati, Ganga-Sai and Ganga-Assi. Later, they examined the samples at a laboratory.

Prof Pandey said detergent is a major killer of these purifiers since phosphorous coming out of it flows with sewage into the river. It deposits at river bottom and affects the life cycle of purifiers. While stress resilient micro algae purifiers survive, many of these vanish.

Prof Pandey said that massive awareness drive should be undertaken and people should come forward to make efforts for reducing the pollution level of the river. If its chemistry undergoes further change, there will be serious consequences. Much damage to the health of river has already been done.