Effective Removal Of Nitrate From Potable Water Of ... · PDF filewere compared with Bureau of...

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Original Paper

Abstract

Surface water is the ideal source of drinking water in hill areas and it in general, requires no

or minimal treatment. The present study was carried out to check the quality of drinking

water in upper and lower hills of Kodaikanal for about 52 sampling stations. The results

were compared with Bureau of Indian Standard for drinking water. All the values were

within the BIS limit except nitrate in 10 samples only. The nitrate exceeded 10 water samples

was treated with natural coagulant Strychnos potatorum L. After the treatment the nitrate

level for all the 10 samples were found within the permissible limit. The presence of

antioxidant phytochemical, polyelectrolyte, coagulant protein of seed was responsible for the

reduction of nitrate from potable water.

1 Introduction

Water is elixir of all life. It is the earth’s most abundant compound. About 70% of the earth surface is

covered by water. Accurately 97.16% of water is salt water, only, 2.6% is fresh water. About 77% -

fresh water is in solid form locked in polar ice caps and remaining water is fulfilled the human needs

(Rasure, 2013). Access to safe and clean drinking water is a major concern across the world and also

drinking water is the important resource for all human beings. Water borne infections are responsible

for more than 80% of the diseases and hence treatment is very important to prevent the diseases

(Renuka et al., 2013). It is essential to know the quality of water because it is the major factor which

decides its suitability for domestic, agriculture and industrial purposes (Raju et al, 2009). Ground

water quality has become notable water resources issue due to rapid increase of population,

industrialization, unplanned urbanization, flow of pollution from upland to lowland, and surplus use

of fertilizers, pesticides in agriculture (Joarder , et al., 2008).

Effective Removal Of Nitrate From Potable Water

Of Kodaikanal Hills Using - Natural Coagulant

Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E1/ 027 Page No 92 - 104 Subject Area Biotechnology

Key Words Physico-Chemical Parameters, BIS Standard, Methemoglobinemia, Nitrate, Natural Coagulant,

Strychnos Potatorum L

C.ThamaraiSelvi1

Department of Biotechnology, Mother Teresa Women’s University,

Kodaikanal-624 101Tamil Nadu-India

B. Sowmiya Rajalakshmi2



A.Ancy Jenifer3



K.G.Ahila4



A.Nithya5



http://www.ijifr.com/

C.ThamaraiSelvi., B.Sowmiya Rajalakshmi., A.Ancy Jenifer., K.G.Ahila., A.Nithya : - Effective

Removal Of Nitrate From Potable Water Of Kodaikanal Hills Using - Natural Coagulant

Paper ID: IJIFR/ V2/ E1/ 027

ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)

Volume 2, Issue 1, September 2014

93

Nitrates are one of the important plant nutrients in soil. Usually plant absorbs these nitrates, but

sometimes rain or irrigation water can leach them into groundwater. While nitrate occurs naturally in

some groundwater, in most cases higher levels are thought to result from human activities. Common

sources of nitrate include fertilizers, manure, animal feedlots, municipal wastewater, sludge, septic

systems etc,. Nitrite is absorbed in the blood and haemoglobin and is converted to methemoglobin

causes a disease called as Methemoglobinemia. Also the higher nitrate level in drinking water

induces stomach cancer, birth defects, hypertension and lymphoma. High concentration of nitrate also

exists in animal feeds, fodder, drought-stressed forage plants. These feeds possess an additive effect

when consumed with high nitrate drinking water. Methemoglobinemia has not been reported where

water contains less than 10 mg/l of NO3-N. This level has been adopted by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency as the standard in the Primary Drinking Water Regulations, to protect the infants.

(Howard and Donald, 1985)

Conventional treatments are available for the removal of impurities from drinking water like

alum treatment. Crapper et al (1973) reported that the alum treatment increase the aluminium in water

cause Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, an eco-friendly technique or plant based treatment is need of hour

for the removal of impurities from drinking water. Hence, our ancestors in Tamil Nadu planting the

amla tree, drumstick tree, nirmali tree on the bank of pond and well to clean the water. They were

used the amla stem for the removal of hardness and to improve the taste of water (Durairasan,1999).

Earlier studies have found the Moringa olieifera seeds are non-toxic, and recommended its use as

coagulant in water treatment in developing countries (Eman et al., 2009). Hence, interest shown in the

development of new natural coagulants will replace the conventional chemical coagulants (Prasad

2009).

Rangwala et al (1997), have reported the coagulant property of Strychnos potatorum L seeds and are

widely used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. And it is still in use in the villages of Maharashtra

and Tamil Nadu in India to clear the turbid water. The village women of sudan use Moringa oleifera

seed for home water treatment (Jahn 1981). Several researchers have proved the coagulant and metal

removal property of Strychnos potatorum L and Moringa oleifera. (Sen&Bulusu 1962; Dhekane et al.

1970; Tripathi et al; Jahn 1988; Sutherland et al, 1990, 1994; Folkard et al. 1995). The main economy

of Kodaikanal is tourism. According to the 2011 census, the taluk of Kodaikanal had a population of

114,999 and approximately 2 lakh people are visiting the hill every year. So, the assessment of

potable water quality is utmost essential. Hence, in the present study was aimed to evaluate the

potable water quality and to assess the water treatment efficiency of natural coagulant - Strychnos

potatorum L.

2 Materials and Methods

2.1 Sampling site

Kodaikanal - One of the most beautiful Hill Towns in India is situated at 2200 mts, in the Western

ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. The average rainfall of Kodaikanal is 165 cm/yr. Here, the major drinking

water source is surface water, ie, bund water reservoir, streams, spring, pool, pond, falls, river water

and also using the well and bore well water. The people residing at Kodaikanal hill station comprise

of tribal and non-tribal citizens. Table 1 shows the source and sample code along with the population

for nitrate level higher sampling sites. The temperature of the hill is 20° C during day time and 15° C

during night (winter, spring and autumn) and 22°C during day time and 19°C during the night time

(summer). Fifty two locations from 4 different blocks (Kodaikanal block, Villpatti block,Kookal

block, Pannaikadu block), were selected as drinking water sampling sites, which included both the






94

rural and tribal residential areas in and around Kodai hills. The altitude for upper hill is 1500m-2800m

and lower hill is 800m-1500m. Samples were collected for every month in pre-cleaned, sterilized dry

polyethylene bottles and safely transported to the laboratory during Feb – May 2014 for analysis.

S.NO Sampling sites Sample Code Sampling source

1. Municipality S1 Bund

2. Thanthimedu S2 Stream

3. Ghanthipuram S3 Stream

4. Keelpoomi S4 Bore

5. Naidupuram S5 Pool

6. Pakiapuram S6 Pool

7. Pallangi S7 River

8. Attuvampatti S8 Bore

9. Villpatti S9 River

10. Odagalparai S10 River

11. Perungadu S11 Pool

12. Alathurai S12 River

13. M.M. Street S13 Well

14. Pragasapuram S14 Stream

15. Cityview S15 Stream

16. Senbaganoor S16 Stream

17. Perumalmalai S17 Falls

18. Adukkam S18 Pool

19. Pannaikadu S19 Bore

20. Kaduguthadi S20 Falls

21. Thandikudi S21 Tap

22. Mangalapuram S22 Pool

23. Kanalkadu S23 Stream

24. Patlangadu S24 Stream

25. K.C. Patti S25 Well

26. Kuppama Patti S26 River

27. Anjuveedu S27 River

28. Paethuparai S28 River

29. Vadakavunji S29 Pool

30. Pachalur S30 Well

31. Periyoor S31 Well

32. Poolathur S32 Pool

33. Kumbarayoor S33 Pool

34. OOthu S34 River

35. Machur S35 River

36. Valagiri S36 Stream

37. Vadakaraiparai S37 Stream

38. Poomparai. Bore water S38 Bore

39. Poombarai. Well Water S39 Well

40. Mannavanur S40 River

Table 1: Sampling sites & Codes






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2.2 Physico-chemical characterization of drinking water

The physicochemical parameter such as pH, Electrical conductivity, Total solids, Total Dissolved

Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Acidity, Alkalinity, hardness, Calcium(Ca2+), Magnesium, Sodium,

Potassium, Chloride(Cl-), Sulphate(SO42-), Phosphate(PO4-), Dissolved Oxygen(DO) and Nitrate.

2.3 Collection and Preparation of plant material

Strychnos potatorum L is a common natural coagulant, used in many parts of Tamil Nadu, India for

the treatment of drinking water. It was collected from Mathur, Pudukkottai (Dt), Tamil Nadu, India.

Matured healthy seeds were collected, dried, crushed, sieved and stored in air tight container for

treatment. The size of the particle was BSS18

2.4 Effect of Strychnos potatorum L on the removal of nitrate from drinking water

About 100ml of sample was taken and 1g of powdered seed was added and mixed well then it was left

for a period of 2 hours. Later it was filtered through Whitman no 1 filter paper. The filtered sample

was subjected to nitrate analysis.

3 Results and Discussion

3.1 Physico-chemical characterization of drinking water

The collected drinking water samples quality were analyzed. The obtained values were compared with

BIS standard values. All the parameters were found within the BIS permissible limit except, nitrate.

pH: pH is a term used globally acidity and alkalinity of water is measured with the pH scale which

represents the concentration of hydrogen ions. The range of pH for collected drinking water samples

were laid in 6.2-7.6. The pH of all the samples was found within the permissible limit prescribed by

BIS Standard pH (7 – 8.5).

Electrical Conductivity: Conductivity is a measure of water’s capacity to conduct the current.

EC of water is directly proportional to its dissolved mineral matter contents. (Manivasakam, 1985).

EC for all the samples were well below the standard limit. Similar results have been reported by Razia

et al. (2014). Marian et al (2010), have reported that the conductivity values of the samples from hand

dug wells ranged from 46 to 282 µS/cm.

Total Solids: Total solids is the residue which includes both dissolved solids and suspended

solids.Water with high TDS produces scales on cooking vessels and boilers (Manivasakam, 1985).

The TDS values varied from 100 mg/l to 500 mg/l. The TS, TDS values were found within the limits

41. Colony S41 Stream

42. Kaikatti S42 River

43. Poondi S43 Stream

44. Kavunji S44 Stream

45. Polur S45 River

46. Klavarai S46 Falls

47. Kookal S47 Lake

48. Gundpatti.A colony S48 Well

49. Gundpatti.Bcolony S49 Well

50. Gundpatti.C colony S50 Well

51. PzhamPuthur S51 Pool

52. Kumburvayal S52 Pond






96

(BIS). Manjare et al, (2010) have reported fluctuation of total dissolved from 0.1g/L -2.2 g/L in

analysis of water quality in Kolhapur district. The sample station such as S1, S2, S12, S16, S17, S23,

S25, S35 and S52 have higher amount of solids due to dumping of solid waste near drinking water

source, agricultural runoff, cow dung, horse dung and soil erosion.

Acidity: Acidity is not a specific pollutant and it is a measure of the effects of combination of

substances and conditions in water. The range of acidity of our entire sample was 12.5mg/l to 50mg/l.

The acidity in natural water may be caused by the presence of carbon dioxide in the form of carbonic

acid and decay of organic matter (Vermani & Narula, 1989). No specific limit for acidity but

indirectly controlled by the limits of pH value. (Manivasagam, 1985).

Alkalinity: The total alkalinity in all water samples are within the BIS limits. Carbonates and

bicarbonates are the most frequent cause of alkalinity in natural water. Smitha, et al. (2007) has

reported alkalinity increases as the amount of dissolved carbonates and bicarbonates increases.

Alkalinity level varied from 50 mg/l to 240 mg/l in the drinking water samples.

S18 has the lowest value (50mg/l) of alkalinity and the samples like S6, S10, S11 have the highest

value (240mg/l) in the month of September, October, November and December. During the months of

September, October, November, December and January Kodaikanal receives more rain fall and soil

erosion, agricultural runoff may be the reason for slightly higher amount of alkalinity.

Total hardness, calcium and Magnesium: Total hardness is caused by the presence of carbonates,

bicarbonates, chloride and sulphates. Dissolution of various types of rocks, industrial waste and

sewage are the sources of calcium and magnesium in natural water. And hard water plays a role in

heart diseases. (Gupta et al.2013). The above mentioned parameters were below the standard limit

prescribed by the BIS. The desirable amount of calcium for drinking water is 75mg/l to 250mg/l. The

amount of Calcium in municipality water of Kodaikanal has 48- 205 mg/l. Calcium is an essential

element for bone, teeth development and human body requires approximately 0.72-2g /day as a food

element. The amount could not be supplied by even hard water. Calcium along with magnesium is

needed to properly maintain the cardiovascular system (Manivasagam, 1985). Hence, the children and

adult people of Kodaikanal are suffering with calcium deficiency leads to osteoporosis-decalcification

problems, the intake of calcium is essential to maintain the health of Kodaikanal people.

Chloride: The sources of Chloride in natural water are intrusion of sea water, soluble salts especially

sodium chloride and dissolution of salt containing rocks. The presence of any organic matter

especially animal origin, increase the concentration of chloride in water (Sharma, 2000). All the

sample of chloride was found within the permissible limit.

Sulphate: Van Dijk-Looijaard (1985) has reported that the water with higher concentrations of sulfate

leads to dehydration and diarrheoa. Kids are often more sensitive to sulfate than adults. Animals are

also sensitive to higher levels of sulfate. These results are in confirmation with the results of Powell

et al (1984) in British tap water analysis. The sulfate level of entire sample was found to within the

standard limit.

Phosphate: Phosphorus is an important constituent of biological systems. The major sources of

phosphorus are domestic sewage, detergents, agricultural effluents with fertilizers and industrial waste

water. (Trivedy and Goel,1986). The phosphate values for the samples were 0.2 mg/L -1.2 mg/L and

were within the permissible limit. Arvindhkumar (1995) has reported related results. The maximum

value of phosphate was recorded in Dec, 2013. The higher value of phosphate in Dec. month due to

soil erosion, agricultural runoff (fertilizers) by rain fall.

Dissolved Oxygen: The DO is essential for aquatic organisms. The solubility of oxygen depends on

the temperature of water. (Sharma,2000). The values of DO were appreciable for entire samples in all

the months. About 6.5mg/l of minimum and 9mg/l of maximum value of DO was recorded. It






97

indicates the absence of organic matter contamination. These results were in conformity with the

findings of Masood Ahmed and Krishnamurthy (1990).

Sodium and Potassium: The weathering of rocks is major source of sodium and potassium in natural

fresh waters. The disposal of industrial waste also responsible for higher amount of sodium and

potassium in water (Nehagupta et al., 2013). The amount of sodium and potassium of water samples

were within the permissible limit. The standard value for potassium was not prescribed by BIS.

According to WHO the standard value of sodium for drinking water is 200mg/l. All the samples were

lesser than standard value.

Nitrate: Nitrate is one of the macro nutrients for plant growth and regulates the productivity of

phytoplankton. Higher nitrate contamination in ruminants through food can be poisoned (Arumugam,

et al. 2013). Industrial effluents, sewage, agricultural runoff are major sources of nitrate in drinking

water. The maximum acceptable BIS limit of nitrate in drinking water is 45 mg/L. If the

concentration is high, especially in children less than six month cause shortness of breathing and blue

baby syndrome or methemoglobinemia. (Self and Waskom, 2005). Higher concentration of nitrate

in water, reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells. This leads to blue baby disease to

infants and difficulty in breathing because of their bodies are not receiving enough oxygen (Sharmila

et al.,2013). Concentration of nitrate in the study areas ranged from 10mg/L to 74mg/L. All the

samples analyzed nitrate concentration were within the permissible limits except for 10 samples such

as Municipality water(S1), Thanthimedu(S2), Naidupuram(S5), Pakkiapuram(S6), Pallangi (S7)

Perumal malai(S17), Kadukuthadi (S20), Anjuveedu(S27), Pethuparai (S28) and combai (S12)

(Allathurai) were 55mg/l, 60mg/l,64mg/l,74mg/l,66mg/l,64mg/l,69mg/l,65mg/l,50mg/l and 60mg/l

respectively. Among the 10 samples, S6 showed higher level of nitrate. The reason for the higher

amount of nitrate in potable water of Kodai hills is sloppy areas, soil erosion, animal waste,

agricultural runoff and surface water runoff. The washed content was mixed with surface water,

which is source of potable water for surrounding peoples. Also some manmade activities such as open

defecation, over application of fertilizers, cloths washing, harvested vegetable washing and vehicles

washing. In upper hills people are using the lotic water for above mentioned purpose, later the same

water is used by lower hills people for drinking and domestic purpose. The S6 sample station is

received rain water from agricultural fields. The usage of chemical fertilizer for the cultivation of

vegetable such as carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, potato etc. the agricultural runoff erode the chemical

fertilizer is a source of nitrate in S6. S1 sample station is water reservoir located in shola forest 11Km

away from Kodaikanal has higher amount of nitrate. The decomposition of leaf, twigs of trees and

dung from wild animals particularly, monkey, Indian Gaur, Deer, elephant , panther, python, wild

boar and birds may be imported the higher amount of nitrate in S1. The nitrate removal techniques

must be practiced before distribution. The improper disposal of solid waste may generate leaching

and surface runoff is responsible for the higher nitrate content in sample station S5, S6, S17. Also the

higher amount of nitrate content in tribal areas such as S12, S20, S27, S28 was attributed by fertilizers

from agricultural runoff, open defecation of river banks, use of river banks for grazing, animal dung,

surface water runoff and dissolution of rock.

All the physical and chemical characters of water samples were having the BIS acceptable level

except nitrate for 10 samples. Hence, the 10 samples were subjected to nitrate removal treatment.

Alzheimer disease is caused by the presence of Aluminium in drinking water (David and Wessely,

1995). Hence, instead of Alum the use of natural material is safe. Nwaiwu and Moses (2010), stated

that plant seeds, leaves and roots have been used for the treatment of water. Our traditional siddha

medicine also referred the use of natural material for water treatment.






98

Sample

code

pH EC TS TDS TSS

Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar Feb Mar

S1 7.01 7.03 0.204 0.102 300 400 200 200 100 200

S2 6.54 6.49 0.204 0.204 300 400 100 300 200 100

S3 6.57 6.74 0.408 0.306 200 300 100 200 0 100

S4 6.38 6.23 0.306 0.204 200 300 100 200 100 100

S5 7.09 7.29 0.204 0.204 300 200 200 100 100 100

S6 7.09 7.21 0.204 0.204 100 300 100 200 0 100

S7 6.32 6.34 0.204 0.306 100 400 100 200 0 200

S8 6.42 6.48 0.204 0.204 200 300 100 200 100 100

S9 6.44 6.56 0.204 0.102 200 200 200 200 0 100

S10 7.23 7.34 0.102 0.204 200 400 100 200 100 100

S11 6.09 6.13 0.204 0.102 300 300 200 200 100 100

S12 6.34 6.50 0.204 0.102 500 400 300 300 200 100

S13 7.55 7.57 0.204 0.204 400 300 200 200 200 100

S14 6.18 6.25 0.306 0.306 300 300 200 100 100 200

S15 6.37 6.45 0.306 0.408 400 300 200 200 200 100

S16 7.11 7.14 0.306 0.306 300 200 100 200 100 100

S17 6.89 6.97 0.306 0.204 300 300 200 200 200 100

S18 6.63 6.73 0.204 0.306 300 400 200 300 100 100

S19 6.56 6.59 0.306 0.204 300 300 200 200 100 100

S20 7.15 7.44 0.306 0.204 300 200 200 100 100 100

S21 6.93 7.03 0.204 0.102 200 400 100 300 100 100

S22 6.01 6.09 0.306 0.306 200 300 100 200 100 100

S23 6.93 6.91 0.306 0.408 300 200 100 100 200 100

S24 7.05 7.13 0.102 0.204 300 300 200 200 100 100

S25 6.28 6.31 0.204 0.204 200 500 100 300 100 200

S26 6.29 6.23 0.204 0.204 300 400 200 300 100 100

S27 6.56 6.69 0.306 0.306 100 400 0 300 100 100

S28 6.58 6.65 0.204 0.102 300 300 200 100 100 200

S29 6.67 6.69 0.306 0.204 200 200 100 200 100 0

S30 6.27 6.49 0.102 0.102 300 200 200 200 100 0

S31 6.85 6.89 0.204 0.204 400 200 200 100 200 100

S32 6.44 6.56 0.204 0.204 100 200 0 100 100 100

S33 6.15 6.19 0.204 0.102 300 300 200 100 100 200

S34 6.45 6.69 0.102 0.204 400 100 200 100 200 0

S35 6.92 6.96 0.204 0.102 500 200 300 100 200 100

S36 6.64 6.73 0.204 0.204 300 300 200 100 100 200

S37 6.24 6.36 0.204 0.306 200 400 200 300 0 100

S38 7.13 7.23 0.102 0.102 200 200 100 100 100 100

S39 7.59 6.73 0.306 0.204 400 300 200 200 200 100

S40 6.84 6.89 0.102 0.102 300 200 100 100 200 100

S41 7.13 7.31 0.102 102 200 300 100 200 100 100

S42 6.67 6.73 0.102 0.102 100 200 0 200 100 100

S43 6.58 6.67 0.102 0.102 300 200 200 100 100 100

S44 6.09 6.29 0.102 0.204 200 100 100 100 100 0

S45 6.81 6.89 0.306 0.408 400 300 300 200 100 100

S46 6.59 7.01 0.102 0.204 200 400 200 200 100 200

S47 6.77 6.80 0.306 0.306 300 300 200 200 200 100

S48 6.56 6.77 0.204 0.306 400 400 200 200 200 200

S49 6.19 6.29 0.306 0.306 300 200 100 100 200 100

S50 6.77 6.85 0.306 0.204 300 300 200 200 100 100

S51 7.01 7.08 0.204 0.204 400 400 200 200 200 200

Table 2. a. Physical characterization of potable water for the month of Feb-Mar 2014






99

Sample

code

pH EC TS TDS TSS

Apr May Apr May Apr May Apr May Apr May

S1 6.75 6.46 0.102 0.204 400 400 200 200 200 200

S2 6.32 6.53 0.204 0.102 200 100 100 0 100 100

S3 6.22 6.15 0.204 0.306 100 100 100 0 0 100

S4 6.55 6.32 0.102 0.204 200 200 100 100 100 100

S5 7.12 7.21 0.306 0.408 400 300 200 200 200 100

S6 7.31 7.34 0.306 0.408 100 100 0 0 100 100

S7 7.26 7.33 0.408 0.408 200 400 100 200 100 200

S8 6.48 6.57 0.102 0.306 200 300 100 200 100 100

S9 6.36 6.48 0.204 0.102 200 200 100 100 100 100

S10 7.17 7.25 0.102 0.102 100 0 100 0 0 0

S11 6.43 6.48 0.204 0.306 400 200 200 100 200 100

S12 6.24 6.30 0.102 0.102 500 300 300 100 200 200

S13 6.59 6.57 0.204 0.204 300 300 100 200 200 100

S14 6.44 6.37 0.204 0.204 200 200 200 100 0 100

S15 6.49 6.27 0.204 0.306 400 200 200 100 200 100

S16 7.09 7.22 0.204 0.102 300 200 200 200 100 0

S17 6.34 6.46 0.204 0.306 300 300 200 200 100 100

S18 6.10 6.12 0.102 0.306 500 400 300 300 200 100

S19 6.21 6.34 0.306 0.306 300 200 200 200 100 10

S20 7.43 7.56 0.306 0.408 400 200 200 100 200 100

S21 6.87 6.89 0.204 0.204 200 300 100 300 100 0

S22 6.56 6.34 0.306 0.306 200 200 100 200 100 0

S23 7.06 7.32 0.408 0.408 400 500 300 300 100 200

S24 6.27 6.45 0.102 0.102 300 300 200 200 100 100

S25 6.25 6.27 0.204 0.204 400 500 300 300 100 200

S26 6.32 6.36 0.102 0.204 500 400 300 300 200 100

S27 6.56 6.60 0.306 0.306 300 400 200 300 100 100

S28 6.33 6.45 0.204 0.204 400 300 200 100 200 200

S29 6.24 6.29 0.204 0.306 300 400 200 200 100 200

S30 6.34 6.5 0.102 0.102 300 200 200 200 100 0

S31 6.54 6.56 0.204 0.204 400 300 200 100 200 200

S32 6.32 6.34 0.306 0.306 200 200 100 0 100 200

S33 6.12 6.24 0.102 0.102 300 400 200 200 100 200

S34 6.49 6.45 0.102 0.204 400 300 200 200 200 100

S35 6.23 6.35 0.306 0.204 500 300 300 200 200 100

S36 6.46 6.56 0.204 0.204 300 300 200 100 100 200

S37 6.12 6.26 0.204 0.204 300 400 200 300 100 100

S38 7.39 6.49 0.102 0.102 400 300 300 200 100 100

S39 7.23 6.76 0.306 0.204 400 300 200 200 200 100

S40 6.34 6.54 0.102 0.102 300 200 100 100 200 100

S41 6.56 6.62 0.102 0.102 100 200 100 200 0 0

S42 6.78 6.89 0.102 0.102 100 200 0 200 100 0

S43 6.86 6.95 0.204 0.204 300 200 200 100 100 100

S44 6.34 6.56 0.102 0.204 300 200 200 100 100 100

S45 6.43 6.57 0.204 0.204 400 400 300 400 100 0

S46 6.51 7.59 0.102 0.204 500 400 400 200 100 200

S47 6.64 6.77 0.306 0.306 300 300 200 200 200 100

S48 6.65 6.76 0.306 0.306 400 300 200 200 200 100

S49 6.54 6.47 0.306 0.306 300 300 200 200 100 100

S50 6.50 6.69 0.306 0.306 200 300 200 200 0 100

S51 6.50 6.78 0.204 0.204 400 300 200 200 200 100

S1 6.29 6.37 0.204 0.204 500 300 300 200 200 100

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100

Table 3. a. Chemical characterization of potable water for the month of Feb- Mar2014






101

Table 3. b. Chemical characterization of potable water for the month of Apr- May2014






102

3.2 Effect of Strychnos potatorum L on the removal of nitrate from drinking water

In the developing countries, particularly hilly regions the treatment of potable water is very expensive.

Locally available material can be exploited towards achieving sustainable safe potable water supply.

After the treatment of water samples with nirmali seeds the reduction of nitrate was noticed. The

reduction of nitrate in Municipality water(S1), Thanthimedu(S2), Naidupuram(S5),

Pakkiapuram(S6), Pallangi (S7), Perumal malai(S17), Kadukuthadi (S20), Anjuveedu(S27),

Pethuparai(S28) and combai (S12) were found to be 61%, 50%, 53%, 47%, 42%, 48%, 49%, 50%,

58% respectively. The nitrate attributed by the natural coagulants and it must be acted as a reducing

agents. Similarly the antioxidants property of strychnous potatorum was reported by Siva et al,

(2012) and Thamarai selvi, (2006). It might have been achieved by the antioxidant property of nirmali

seeds. This antioxidant must have reduced the species like NO-3 into NO-2 and may be converted

into gaseous form of NO. Nitrate removal property of nirmali seed has also been reported by Anitha

(2006), Vasanthy et al. (2006c). Similarly, nirmali seed consist of anti oxidant like palmitic acid

which may be the reason for the reduction of nitrate, sulfate,TDS and COD from sugar wash have

reported by Thamarai selvi, (2006).

The coagulating property of nirmali seeds must be due to the presence of coagulating protein such as

4,5-diamino-2-hydroxypyrimidine, 4-amino-2,6-dihydroxy-5-nitrosopyrimidine and 1 hexyl-1-2-

nitrocyclohexane. Similarly Ghobremichael (2004) has purified and isolated the coagulant protein

from the seeds of Moringa oleifera. (Thamarai selvi, (2006).

Table: 4 Before and After Treatment of Nitrate Removal from Potable water Using Strychnous Potatorum L

Figure 1: Sampling Site (Before Treatment)

S. No

Sampling Sites

Before Treatment After Treatment % Reduction of Nitrate

1. Municipality 55 21 61

2. Thanthimedu 60 30 50

3. Naidupuram 64 30 53

4. Pakiapuram 74 39 47

5. Pallangi 64 37 42

6. Perumalmalai 66 34 48

7. Kaduguthadi 69 35 49

8. Anjuveedu 65 33 50

9. Paethuparai 50 21 58

10. Combai (Alathurai) 60 20 66

0

20

40

60

80

Nit

rate

Va

lues

mg

/L

Sampling sites

Before Treatment - Nitrate level in drinking water






103

Figure 2: Sampling Site (AfterTreatment)

Figure 3: Removal of Nitrate by using Strychnous potatorum L

4 Conclusion

The present investigation revealed the seeds of Strychnos potatorum L can be used for Nitrate

reduction. This reduction property was attributed by an antioxidant property of seeds, the presence of

phytochemicals especially protein, polyelectrolyte in the seeds and charge neutralization. Many

advanced techniques like reverse osmosis and ion exchange are available for the removal of nitrate.

But these techniques are not possible in hilly areas especially tribal areas. Hence, the low cost, natural

coagulant treatment is possible in these areas. After the treatment with nirmali seed the water should

be boiled before being for consumption. Based on this investigation an environmental awareness

programme was conducted in combai areas, Kodaikanal. Also, the treatment technique of potable

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45 n

itra

te V

alu

es m

g/L

Sampling sites

After Treatment- Nitrate level in drinking water

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Nit

rate

Val

ue

s m

g/L

Sampling sites

% Reduction of Nitrate level in drinking water tribal Areas






104

water with nirmali seed was demonstrated. From the investigation it may be concluded that the seeds

of Strychnos potatorum L can be used for nitrate reduction from potable water.

Acknowledgement

The authors are very grateful to University Grant Commission, New Delhi, for providing financial

assistance

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