CURRENT STATUES OF UYYANKONDAN WATER CANAL: A HOLISTIC APPROACH

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET)
Volume 10, Issue 6, November-December, 2019, pp.676-685 Article ID: IJARET_10_06_068
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=10&Issue=6
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
CURRENT STATUES OF UYYANKONDAN
WATER CANAL: A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Yoganandan. V1, Arunkarthik. P1, Dhanusha. R2, Vijayalakshmi. K2,
Saravanakumar. S2
1
Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
2
P.G & Research Department of Microbiology, Jamal Mohamed College (Affiliated to
Bharathidasan University), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, inappropriate human activities increase the numbers of multidrug resistant
microorganisms and contaminant such as heavy metals in polluted water, causing serious
health problems for humans. The current work focuses on the careful elucidation of
microbiological contamination and antibiotic sensitivity profile of fecal coliforms isolated from
the Cauvery River along the Uyyakondan canal, a significant drinking water source in
Tiruchirappalli, India. On February 2020, water samples were collected from the Uyyakondan
canal. The physicochemical properties, heavy metal content, and microbiological count were
all examined. Isolated from the water samples were found to be Ampicillin and
Chloramphenicol-resistant. Heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, and Pb, were tested, and the results
suggest that Palakarai and Palpannai have a higher heavy metal level than other samples. We
determined from this investigation that the Uyyakondan canal was heavily polluted with
microbiological and heavy metal contaminants. We assume canal water should not be used for
the domestic purpose.
Key words: Cauvery River, Tiruchirappalli, Chloramphenicol-resistant, Heavy metals,
microbiological.
Cite this Article: Yoganandan. V, Arunkarthik. P, Dhanusha. R, Vijayalakshmi. K and
Saravanakumar. S, Current Statues of Uyyankondan Water Canal: A Holistic Approach,
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET),
10(6), 2019, pp. 676-685.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJARET?Volume=10&Issue=6
1. INTRODUCTION
The rivers support human wellbeing and economic development of the nation. Recent decades,
many human activities such as industrial and agricultural effluents can pollute rivers ecosystem
in many parts of our country (Rajaram et al., 2008). However, the release of sewage and
industrial effluents into rivers endangers to public health and economic growth. Tiruchirappalli
is one of the fastest growing city inTamilnadu's,it is located on the banks of the Cauvery River
(Senthil et al., 2013). Uyyakondan is a 72 km long canal that runs through the center of
Tiruchirappalli city (8 km) as a branch of the Cauvery River.Originally, these waters were
exclusively intended for residential and agricultural needs.In recent decades, due to the fast

Yoganandan. V, Arunkarthik. P, Dhanusha. R, Vijayalakshmi. K and Saravanakumar. S
urbanization and industrial development, which increase the municipal sewage, such as
household, hospital, untreated and improperly treated industrial effluents, and other domestic
sewage, is released directly into this canal. This may lead to the source of pathogens and heavy
metal pollution in this canal (Sirajudeen et al., 2015).
The amount of treated and untreated wastes discharged into the canal by domestic and
industrial activities which deterioratedthe water bodies and make them unfit for many other
purposes (Mariraj and Vanalakshmi. 2013). Heavy metals in contaminated environment can be
transferred to humans through various exposure pathways. Generally, the heavy metals can be
accumulated in organisms, magnified via food chain and finally cause adverse effects on human
health (Kumar et al., 2007). These toxic heavy metals create serious environmental problems
owing to their long biological half-lives and non-biodegradable nature. It is very difficult to
remove them completely from the environment once they enter into it (Singare et al., 2012).
The physico-chemical features, heavy metal and microbiological pollutants of water are
mostly used to assess the present state of aquatic ecosystem (Das et al., 2013). Several studies
have been conducted to monitor the physicochemical features, heavy metal levels, and
microbiological contamination in Cauvery River (Vignesh et al., 2013). All these investigations
concluded only in Cauvery River. Still there is lack of knowledge in Uyyankondan canal.
Monitoring and assessing the water quality on a regular basis is needed to protect and improve
the water quality of the canal. In view of this, a study was conducted at January, 2020) with the
following objectives: (1) to study the spatial variation of physico-chemical contents in surface
water samples, (2) to study the microbial diversity, (3) to determine the concentrations of heavy
metals (cadmium, copper, and lead) in surface water samples collected from the Uyyakondan
canal, Tiruchirappalli.
2. STUDY AREA
Tiruchirappalli is the 4th
largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Water is in great demand
due to a variety of industries and agricultural practices. The mainly two rivers that drain the city
are the Cauvery and its branch Kollidam. This region is also drained by three channels:
Uyyakondan, Koraiyar, and Kudamuritti. The climate is subtropical. The average annual
rainfall is around 840 mm (CGWB 2008), the water to the canal received mainly thorough
southwest monsoon. The topography is nearly flat, ranging from 70 to 78 metres above sea
level. The drainage pattern is mostly dendritic (CGWB 2008). The channel, drilled wells, and
bore wells are the most common irrigation sources. Paddy, Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables are
among the major crops.
The canal branches off from the Cauvery (Pettavaithalai) and travels thorugh
Tiruchirappalli district and 8 kilometres within the city before terminating at the
Vazhavanthankottai tank. It is thought to be 1,000 years old, built by King Raja RajaCholan
and rebuilt by KulothungaCholan. It serves 32,000 acres of land in the Truchirappalli and
Thanjavur districts.

Current Statues of Uyyankondan Water Canal: A Holistic Approach
Figure 1 Shows that sampling location of the Uyyankondan Canal
Table 1 Shows the latitude and longitude of the study area
Sample Place Longitude Latitude
1 Pettavathalai 78°29'19.02"E 10°54'17.02"N
2 Koppu Bridge 78°35'17.26"E 10°50'33.60"N
3 Adavathur 78°37'21.38"E 10°49'11.96"N
4 Ammayappannagar 78°39'47.61"E 10°48'12.32"N
5 Palakkarai 78°41'45.82"E 10°48'34.48"N
6 Palpannai 78°42'57.81"E 10°48'47.61"N
7 Kattur 78°44'52.15"E 10°48'11.62"N
8 kilakalkondankotai 78°44'19.66"E 10°46'23.85"N
9 Kailash nagar 78°46'43.85"E 10°47'2.47"N
10 Thuvakudi 78°50'22.89"E 10°45'39.40"N
11 Vazhavanthankottai 78°50'29.08"E 10°45'3.27"N
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water Samples
Temperature, pH, TDS, and Ecwere measured during sample collection using the Multi-
Parameter Analyzer ST400M-B from UTECH. For 5 days, the dissolved oxygen (DO) and
biological oxygen demand (BOD) were measured using Winkler's technique (Shriwastav et al.
2010).

3.2 Isolation of bacteria and calculate of total count
Using normal plate procedures, one-millilitre water samples from each set were serially diluted
and plated to nutritional agar and MacConkey's agar (Geldreich et al. 1972). The plates were
incubated for 24 hours at 37 °C. The nutrient agar experiment was reproduced in three separate
trials. Each colony's morphological properties were examined, and the viable bacterial count
(colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter) was determined using a digital colony counter
(Labtronics, India).
3.3 Microbial characterization of isolated bacteria
The morphological features of isolated bacteria were examined using Gram staining (Beveridge
2001). Standard biochemical techniques were employed to characterize the isolates further. The
biochemical tests employed were MR- VP, oxidase (Gordon and McLeod 1928), triple sugar
iron (Sulkin and Willett 1940), and Simmon citrate agar.
3.4 Heavy metal analysis of water samples
Water samples were collected, filtered, and acid-cleaned using 1% ammonium
pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC). The chelates were eliminated using iso-butyl methyl
ketone after washing for 15 minutes (MIBK). The organic phase and the aqueous phase were
separated. The metal in the organic phase was extracted using 50% HNO3 and 25 mL of good
grade water (Jonathan et al. 2008). A flame Atomic absorption spectrometer was used to
investigate the metals contained in water and sediment samples (GBC HG 3000; Sens AA,
Australia; 2009).
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Physicochemical analysis
The obtained water samples vary in temperature from 28.8 to 29.9 °C (Table. 2). Thuvakudi
had the highest temperature recorded. The pH of the samples measured varies between 6.9 and
8.4. Kailash Nagar has the highest pH (8.4; alkaline state), whereas Thuvakudi had an acidic
nature (Table. 3). The majority of the samples exhibit acidic conditions. In majority of the
sampling locations, the temperature and pH of the samples were optimal for bacterial growth.
Table 2 Shows the physiochemical characters of the sampling location.
S.No Place
TDS
(ppm)
Salinity
(g/kg) pH
Temperature
(°C) EC (S/m)
1 Pettavathalai 382 304 7.95 29.5 539
2 Koppu Bridge 389 320 7.84 29.2 562
3 Adavathur 395 368 7.6 29.8 580
4 Ammayappannagar 446 375 7.32 28.8 678
5 Palakkarai 322 255 7.17 29 453
6 Palpannai 346 275 6.9 28.9 483
7 Kattur 352 280 6.86 29.1 496
8 Kilakalkondankotai 360 286 6.86 29 508
9 Kailash nagar 448 358 8.4 29.7 632
10 Thuvakudi 594 479 6.82 29.9 837
11 Vazhavanthankottai 435 348 8.22 29.7 613
In compared to the control water samples, the BOD was found to be less in majority of the
sampling locations, that varying from 1.6 to 2.8 mg/L. The BOD levels in the control water

samples were within the allowable limits (Table 3). The BOD level increased in the samples
collected from Pettavaithalai (2.8 mg/L), Palakarai (1.6 mg/L), Palpannai (1.65 mg/L), Kattur
(1.8 mg/L), and Vazhavanthankottai(2.0 mg/L) (Table 3). In increase in biological oxygen
demand was most likely caused by sewage accumulated from temples, visitors, organic and
agricultural farms, residences, hospitals, and municipal and industrial sectors along the river
basins throughout the survey period of this study. These two months are the post-monsoon
season in Tiruchirappalli, and they are projected to produce much more waste items from all
industries than previous seasons.The BOD levels of contaminated water systems are predicted
to be around 2 mg/L, and similar BOD values were found in numerous locations along the banks
of the Uyyakondan canal in this research. This type of bulk liquid BOD concentration has a
direct impact on the microbial population in water bodies, particularly the proliferation of
coliforms (Downing and Nerenberg. 2008).
Table 3 Shows the BOD of the selected water samples from Uyyankondan River.
S.No Sample places BOD (mg/l) Total count (CFU/ml)
1 Pettavaithalai 2.8 1.7x105
2 Palakarai 1.6 6.2x105
3 Palpannai 1.65 6.8x105
4 Kattur 1.8 5.2x105
5 Vazhavanthankottai 2 3.3x105
4.2. Bacteriological Analysis
The viable bacterial count estimated for the five samples result ranges between 1.7×105
CFU/ml6.8×105
CFU/ml. Among the five samples, Pettavaithalai (1.7×105
CFU/ml), were
recorded lowest bacterial count and relatively higher count were recoreded in Palpannai (6.8X
105
CFU/ml), Palakarai (6.2X 105
CFU/ml), Vazhavanthankottai(3.3X 105
CFU/ml), and Kattur
(5.2X 105
CFU/ml) displayed bacterial count. This result is consistent with the previous study
1.7x105
and 6.8x 105
CFU/ml.
4.2.1. Antibiotic sensitivity testing
For antibiotic sensitivity test, we have chosen the sites of major bacterial population such as,
Palpannai, Palakarai, and Kattur. The result demonstrated that 93.51 % (n = 4) of the bacterial
isolates were found to be drug resistance to most of the current generation antibiotics (Figure.
2). The study revealed that two main isolates were found to be drug resistant to 4 different
antibiotics. From the antibiotic sensitivity testing, it is clear that isolates, such as gram positive
and gram negative have acquired drug resistance to most of the carbapenem groups which
includes Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin and Polymyxin B. These antibiotics are
regarded as the strongest β-lactams and last line drugs currently available against these Gram-
negative enteric pathogens.
Figure 2 Shows comparison of the different types of bacterial reaction against antibiotics.

4.2.2. MacConkey agar test
MacConkey agar is the selective agar for gram negative bacteria. Enteric bacteria that have the
ability to ferment lactose can be detected using the carbohydrate lactose, and the pH indicator
neutral red. The plates of Palakarai (MC3) and Palpannai (MC2) have better growth of lactose
fermentative bacteria than others (Figure. 3).
Figure 3 Shows the MacConkey agar testplates of five selected samples. (MC1- Pettavaithalai, MC2-
Palpannai, MC3-Palakarai, MC4- Kattur, and MC5-Vazhavanthankottai).
4.2.3. Gram staining
Bacteria were isolated by their different morphological colour and classified based on their
shape by gram stain with the help of microscope. From Gram's staining, GS1 and GS2 appear
in pink colour. GS3 and GS5 are in rod shape.
Figure 5 Shows the gram staining of the selected samples.
4.3. Heavy Metal Analysis
4.3.1. Cadmium
The concentration of dissolved metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in the surface water samples of all
the eleven different stations (Figure. 7; Table 4) varied spatially. The Cd concentration in water
samples of study area varied between 1.25–1.44 mg/l (Figure. 6; Table. 4). The highest and
lowest mean concentration of Cd in water samples of Uyyankondan canal was 1.25 mg/l
(Adavathur) and 1.44 mg/l (Thuvakudi), respectively. The cadmium concentration was highest
in Thuvakudi compared to other stations during study period could be due to anthropogenic
inputs of Cd from PVC manufacturing industries. lowest mean concentration of Cd in water
samples of Adavathur was 1.25 mg/l.

Figure 6 Shows the cadmium concentration (ppm) in the water samples
4.3.2. Lead
Leadis an undesirable trace metal less abundantly found in earth’scrust. It also found in soil,
vegetation, animals and food. It is a serious cumulative body poison. Lead inhibits several key
enzymes involved in the overall process of haemo-synthesis whereby metabolic intermediate
accumulates (Rajappa et al., 2010). Among the heavy metals, lead was found to be the most
abundant element in the study area. The highest and lowest mean concentration of lead in water
samples was 18.22 mg/l (Palakarai) and 17.96 mg/l (Thuvakudi), respectively (Figure. 7; Table
4). The highest values in Palakarai and Palpannai is because of urban runoff. The lowest
concentration of lead was recorded in Thuvakudi, because the area present in outer side of the
city and their water flow was almost stopped. The overall data showed lead concentration was
high in Palakarai and Palpannai compared with other stations. The increased lead concentration
in Palakarai and Palpannaiis linked to the high industrialization of the surrounding areas, which
discharges large amounts of lead containing effluents in this station.
Figure 7 Shows the lead concentration (ppm) in the water samples
1.31
1.36
1.27
1.39
1.46
1.44
1.4 1.4
1.31
1.45
1.37
1.15
1.2
1.25
1.3
1.35
1.4
1.45
1.5
CADMIUM
18.22
18.15 18.15
18.23
18.41 18.41
18.23
18.06
18.32
18.06
18.23
17.8
17.9
18
18.1
18.2
18.3
18.4
18.5
LEAD

4.3.3. Cupper
Copper is an essential substance to human life, but chronic exposure to contaminant drinking
water with copper can result in the development of anaemia, liver and kidney damage. Copper
in large doses is dangerous to infants and people with certain metabolic disorders. On the other
hand, lack of copper intake causes anaemia, growth inhibition and blood circulation problems.
The Cu concentration in water samples of study area ranged from 0.26 to 0.76 mg/l (Figure. 8;
Table 3). The highest concentration of Cu was recorded in the water (Palpannai). The lowest
Cu concentration in Kattur and followed by Adavathur. The Cu concentration was high in
Palpannai, which is located in the urban and industrial areas. The the canal receives Cu
containing wastes, sewage and municipal waste from Tiruchirappalli town. This study shows
all samples have the level of copper than Permissible limit prescribed by WHO (2 ppm).
Figure 8 Shows the copper concentration (ppm) in the water samples.
The overall heavy metal studies in the Uyyankontan canal distinct variation between rural
and urban environment. However, the samples fromrural areas like Pettavathalai, to Adavathur
shows relatively less heavy metal pollution. Highest population dynamics and industries in
Tiruchirappalli city act as a source for the metal pollution in the study area. This is evidenced
from urban areas such as Palakkarai, and Palpannai contained the highest metal concentration.
Higher influx of fresh water from nearby villages to Vazhavanthankottaitankare moderately
polluted. Because they enriched with agricultural runoff, which contains fertilizers related
products.
Table 4 Shows the heavy metal content in the sampling location.
S.No Location Cd Pb Cu
1 Pettavathalai 1.31 18.22 0.46
2 Koppu Bridge 1.36 18.15 0.44
3 Adavathur 1.27 18.15 0.4
4 Ammayappannagar 1.39 18.23 0.75
5 Palakkarai 1.46 18.41 0.77
6 Palpannai 1.44 18.41 0.9
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
COPPER

7 Kattur 1.4 18.23 0.26
8 kilakalkondankotai 1.4 18.06 0.43
9 Kailash nagar 1.31 18.32 0.51
10 Thuvakudi 1.45 18.06 0.56
11 Peiryakulam 1.37 18.23 0.5
5. CONCLUSION
In this study we analysed the physio-chemical character, heavy metal and microbiological
pollutants of Uyyankondan canal to assess the present state of aquatic ecosystem. Result suggest
that, physiochemical character are low when compared to the WHO water quality limit. The
microbial diversity studies from selective samples suggest that number of viable bacterial count
(CFU/ml) are high when compared with the quality of river water prescribed by WHO.
However, the heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Cu) concentration suggest that urban areas containing
higher concentration then rural areas. From this study, we conclude that, the Tiruchirappali
city's lack of effective control and management for the discharge of these fluids results in
environmental damage. This might endanger the health of the local population. As a result, it is
necessary to monitor the quality of the river water on a regular basis, which is critical for the
long-term management of the Cauvery River and the Uyyakondan Canal.
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