DETERIORATION OF WATER AND SOIL QUALITY ALONG YAMUNA RIVERBED IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Yamuna, a river, revered by millions of people, is loosing its purity and serenity as it flows along the historical cities of Panipat, Delhi, Mathura, Agra , and Kanpur to finally converge with the Ganges in Allahabad. It is the lifeline of the capital of India, but is struggling against a seemingly lost battle for its survival. It is a bed for receiving wastes from Industries, power plants, drainage, municipal garbage, e-wastes, agriculture etc. which makes it unsuitable for any purpose. The soil samples from the bank of Yamuna river at various sites were collected and their chemical parameters- namely pH, conductivity, salinity, organic matter, calcium carbonate content, water-soluble sulphate, water-soluble chloride, cation exchange capacity were analysed. Samples were also analysed for Ca, Mg, Na, K and heavy metal detection of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr was carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results show large deviation from the healthy soil indicating huge amount of pollutants leading to deterioration of water and soil quality.