Studies on the Presence Quantitation and Effect of Azo Dye on Aquatic Ecosystem in River Ganga and Devotee’s Health in Varanasi

Abstract

Varanasi is a holy and industrial city famous for Banarasi Sari industries in Madanpura Sonarpura area. Now its industrial effluents are drawn into River Gaga which is the life line of Varanasi city. Thousands of devotees daily dips in Ganga River. The water samples from eights sites were collected and analysed for presence and quantitation of Azo Dye into Ganga water sample. Technique used for measure for it presence was UV spectroscopy in which its absorbance ranges between 400-500 nm UV. Its presence also can be confirmed by visible spectroscopy with suitable coloring reagents. Its quantitation was conducted by picric acid method and was found between 10-8 to 10-2 µl micro liter i.e in very trace amount which can be only trace from chemical analysis. We have also studied the effect for skin and eye/ear related problem into 200 daily devotees. The Ganga bathing have been found injurious for eye/ear and skin to devotee peoples. Azo dyes in industrial effluent severely damage aquatic ecosystems by reducing water transparency, inhibiting photosynthesis, and decreasing dissolved oxygen levels. These pollutants, characterized by high toxicity, stability, and mutagenic potential, disrupt aquatic food chains and cause metabolic stress, growth retardation, and mortality in fish, plants, and invertebrates. The intense color of dye-polluted water blocks sunlight, significantly hindering the photosynthesis of algae and aquatic plants. Furthermore High levels of BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) from organic pollutants, including azo dyes, may result in reduced dissolved oxygen, leading to suffocating conditions for aquatic fauna. In addition, Azo dyes can be toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic agent to various species of fish and other aquatic organisms. Their high stability means they can accumulate in aquatic environments and tissues over long periods. Physiological Damage may include aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans (shrimp, crabs) and mollusks (clams, mussels) exhibit reduced survival rates and physiological stress due to exposure. Its effect may as Disruption of Food Chain, by negatively affecting both flora (plants, algae) and fauna, azo dyes, along with their degradation products like aromatic amines, break down the structural integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Azo dyes are known for their high chemical stability and resistance to biodegradation. This may be as persistent, allowing them to accumulate in sediments and move through the food chain.