Impact of urbanization and industrialization on irrigation water quality of a canal - a case study of Tongi canal, Bangladesh

The Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Tongi canal is situated on the north of the city, which connected the Turag river to the west and the Balu river to the east. A total of 26 water samples were collected from the canal to measure irrigation water quality on the basis of their trace metal and major ionic constituents. Trace metals concentrations in water samples were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The amount of Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb in water samples ranged from 0.01-0.80, trace-1.02, trace-0.054 and $0.43-0.64{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$, respectively. The mean concentration of Ca, Mg, Na, K, $HCO_3{^-}$, $Cl^-$, $BO{_3}^{3-}$, $PO{_4}^{3-}$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ in water samples were 45.32, 15.33, 151.65, 11.98, 516.06, 94.69, 0.33, 14.02 and $56.21{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$, respectively. In respect of $HCO_3{^-}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $PO{_4}^{3-}$ and K contents, most of the water samples were found problematic for irrigation. In context of RSC and hardness, 96 and 92% of water samples were graded as unsuitable and hard class, respectively. The study concluded that Pb content in canal water was comparatively high, so it is desirable to take necessary initiative to minimize the contamination level and to monitor its concentration in water routinely.