Journal of Water Resources and Pollution Studies

Flood Hazard Mapping Using HEC–RAS Model: A Case Study of Ganges- Padma River, Kushtia, Bangladesh

Md Mehedi Hasan Ovi — 2024-01-08

Bangladesh is one of the heavily populated regions that experiences frequent flooding, which
results in significant loss of life and property damage. Floods have become a major natural hazard
for Bangladesh because it is the world's largest river delta and is bounded by three major rivers:
the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. This study presents a typical 2D flood hazard
mapping for a specific area called Kushtia of the Ganges – Padma River using the HEC – RAS
model.
This study aims to determine the application of the HEC-RAS 2D model coupled with flood
frequency analysis using HEC-SSP to prepare a hazard map in the Kushtia region. In this study, a
model was developed using the available data for the 2010 year for Kushtia Station (SW90) using
the SRTM DEM model, and then it was calibrated using the water level data. A 55-year peak
discharge (Kushtia Station) with a multi- return period of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years was
estimated using four distribution analyses. The best-fit distribution shows Pearson III as rank 1
with a return period of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years, with 44225.8 m3/s, 57177.7 m3/s, 65466.1
m3/s, 73167.9 m3/s, 82862.8 m3/s, 89971.8 m3/s respectively, with a 95% confidence level. The
simulation shows stable flooding for 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 years but instability for the 100-year
return period. Though the water level (WL) difference with the observed data at first was large,
slowly it shows fewer differences during the dangerous period of August to September. Overall,
the HEC-RAS 2D flood hazard model can estimate the level of flood depths with satisfying results,
is useful in providing information about the depth and characteristics of floods for different river
communities, and can mitigate the destruction caused by floods.

Assessment of Parameters of a Running Stream and Still Lake Water

Keshav Gupta — 2023-10-17

Water quality degradation in the River Yamuna persists as a significant impediment to its sustainable
development, despite the enactment of numerous policy initiatives such as Yamuna Action Plan I and
II. This study concentrates on the evaluation of water quality attributes within a 14-kilometre segment
of this river, extending from Sonia Vihar to Kashmere Gate. The primary objective is to scrutinize
water quality conditions both upstream and downstream of Wazirabad Barrage and to compute the
Water Quality Index (WQI) for this river. The utilization of the WQI as a metric is employed to
characterize the pollution levels within the river, subsequently facilitating an assessment of the
overall sustainability of the Yamuna River based on these pertinent water quality parameters.
Furthermore, the paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of water quality parameters in Bhalaswa
Lake located in Delhi. This analysis aims to determine the feasibility of transforming the lake into a
water sports complex and ascertain its suitability for recreational activities like boating and
swimming. The study's findings reveal that the lake's water is heavily contaminated, rendering it
unsuitable for recreational use. The water exhibits a high concentration of organic matter, a slightly
elevated pH level, and an excessive Biological Oxygen Demand in comparison with the established
benchmarks established by the Central Pollution Control Board for outdoor bathing. In conclusion,
the paper delves into a discussion of the water quality issues affecting Bhalaswa Lake.

Experimental Analysis and Machine Learning Analysis of Titanium Dioxide and Cobalt Oxide as Photocatalytic Remediation of Indoor Formaldehyde Emissions

Muwowo Samuel — 2024-03-14

The presence of volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde, in indoor environments has
been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution, thus posing potential health hazards.
This study presents a novel methodology that integrates experimental techniques with machine
learning algorithms to fabricate composite photocatalysts composed of titanium dioxide and
cobalt oxide (TiO2-Co3O4). The goal of this research is to improve the efficiency of formaldehyde
removal in indoor environments. The synthesis of TiO2-Co3O4 heterojunction nanoparticles was
carried out by the process of impregnation. Subsequently, the prepared nanoparticles were
characterized using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, UV-vis
spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The assessment of photocatalytic
activities was carried out to evaluate the degradation of formaldehyde in the presence of UV light.
The Co3O4 loading, calcination temperature, irradiation intensity, and other parameters were
deliberately and methodically varied. The experimental data were used to train machine learning
models to make predictions about photocatalytic efficiency. The formaldehyde removal efficiency
of the composite photocatalyst with 20 wt% Co3O4 loading was found to be significantly higher
than that of pure TiO2. The cooperation between TiO2 (Co3O4) resulted in the enhancement of light
absorption, charge separation, and surface adsorption. The photocatalyst showed exceptional
stability over five consecutive cycles. Analysis using machine learning techniques successfully
identified the critical factors that can be optimized to achieve the highest possible photocatalytic
performance. The results of this research demonstrate the potential of TiO2- Co3O4 heterojunctions
as highly effective and durable photocatalysts for indoor air purification. The use of an integrated
experimental and computational approach provides valuable insights into the field of designing
optimal photocatalytic devices for mitigating indoor air pollution.

Examination of Health Implications and People’s Perception of the Quality of Groundwater in the Middle Aquifer of Monguno Town, Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria

Kadir Stephen Wagaja — 2023-10-20

This study examined the health implications and people’s perception of the quality of groundwater
in the Middle aquifer of Monguno. The inadequate water supply is also poor in terms of quality as
exposure to the atmosphere (oxygen) reduces the palatability and aesthetic value of the water from
the user’s perspective due to the yellowish-brown coloration which is unusual under ideal
circumstances. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the health implications and
people’s perception of the quality of groundwater in the Middle aquifer of Monguno. The method
used in the study includes primary data collected using key informants’ interviews and a
questionnaire was administered to people who were randomly and accidentally sampled.
Household heads were randomly selected and other respondents were accidently sampled in the
communities where the water sample was collected. The major finding of the research was that the
study area reveals that out of the 16 respondents of the key informant’s interview, 81.75% said the
water is coloured while 18.25% confirmed it colourless, 100% agreed that the water is odorless
and 100% also agreed the water is tasteless. These findings conclude that water is good in terms
of organoleptic from the water user’s perspective. Useful information was obtained concerning the
research in the study area, the sampled water points show the concentration of parameters and
possible health implications of using water for drinking exceeding acceptable WHO (World Health
Organization) and Nigerian Standard of Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) limits. Based on the
findings, the following recommendations were made, The government should strengthen water
surveillance to monitor changes in water quality so that any public health risk resulting from poor
water quality is assessed and treatment measures are to be put in place.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Egwi Etche, Rivers State, Nigeria

Arimieari, L. W. — 2024-03-22

Water plays a vital role in man’s socio-economic development, potable water is quite essential for good public health. The majority of people make use of groundwater, therefore making potable groundwater available is very important, and hence, a quality assessment was carried out to obtain the quality of groundwater in the Egwi community, in Etche Local Government Area, of Rivers State Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 8.2–8.8 considers the pH levels in the six boreholes to be unsafe, however, the Nigerian Industrial Standard of 6.5–8.5 indicates that the pH levels of the six samples, which were examined for physicochemical properties, ranged from 6.58 to 6.9, the results for chloride ranged from 3.048 to 12.41 mg/l, the range of iron concentrations is 0.166-0.28 mg/l, turbidity ranges from 1.46mg/l to 3.60mg/l, the concentrations of nitrate range from 2.15 mg/l to 4.47 mg/l, all of which are within the Nigerian Industrial Standard. The six borehole results were analyzed to determine whether the different results for each physicochemical test followed the lognormal distribution. However, the six boreholes' total suspended solids, turbidity, iron, conductivity, sulphate, and chloride concentrations tend to follow the lognormal statistical probability distribution. From the analyzed results the groundwater in the study area is considered safe for public consumption.