pH of Ganga water varies from 6.5 to 8.5. However pH may not be constant , it varies due to various factors ;
- pre to post monsoon
- place to place
-elevated and plain areas
- River passing through different geological strata/formations/environments.
- misting of various types of contaminant
In addition to above many more.
One of the best reason may be that the Ganga River water passes through different courses that contains sufficient amount of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate mixed soil due to which the pH becomes high.
Also we can't forget about anthropogenic pollution, which can change pH.
Supriya Singh,
The pH of Ganga River at some places may be above 8.2 (spatial and temporal variation). Various factors control the pH of water. The higher pH value (> 7) mainly results due to the following conditions:
Composition of soil/rock strata through which the river passes. Soil containing hard-water minerals,usually causes to increase pH. Bicarbonate ions, HCO3, resulting from limestone deposits react with water to produce OH ions according to
HCO3 + H2O → H2CO3 + OH
This results in often being basic with pH values between 7 and 8, sometimes as high as 8.5.
Algal blooms – generally cause water to be more basic.
Mixing of industrial effluents (rich in bases) with river water.
However, detailed investigation is required to confirm the controlling factors (for higher pH value) for a particular part - the river and surrounding areas.
- Good wishes
pH of Ganges water varies from 6.5-8.7 however it may not constant because different types of contaminants are soluble in this water so that pH is not constant some time weathering of rocks like limestone which soluble in this water to form a carbonate and bicarbonate ions, it causes acidity of water & some times industrial discharge goes to Ganges water and this water may be alkaline.
On the basis of this above reason pH of Ganges water varies.
It totally depends of which region of River Ganga you are discussing, some times it was observed even at Gangotri pH is 8.5.
As stated by many other researchers natural causes there are plenty of anthropogenic activities majorly on the banks of rivers causing the impact of various factors of water quality including pH. Further pollution load no only consist of industrial toxic discharge but commercial, agricultural, and domestic are also a major concern in terms of River Ganga Pollution.
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https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00645-1?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Thank you Supriya Singh
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