Devi Prasad Uniyal - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Devi Prasad Uniyal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Providing safe drinking water for the entire world's population is essential for ensuring sustain... more Providing safe drinking water for the entire world's population is essential for ensuring sustainable development. The presence of harmful compounds in aquifers, majorly toxic elements, is a serious environmental concern around the globe. This research aimed to quantify for the initial period the amounts of toxic elements in freshwater in the Dehradun Industrial Region of Uttrakhand, India, as well as the associated health risks. The PTEs (potentially toxic elements) Fe, Cd, Mn, Cu, Cr and Pb, Zn, Ni is measured by AAS and compared to BIS and WHO requirements for drinking safety. The order of mean trace element values in all groundwater samples were determined as Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Co > Cd > Pb. HPI was discovered to be higher than high class during the research period (HPI > 30), but under the severe contamination criterion of 100. Iron's MI and PI values were consistently over the threshold limit during the research period, and certain toxic elements were discovered exceptionally near the threshold limit, indicating a severe future influence on groundwater quality. According to PCA (principal component analysis), CM (correlation matrix), and potential health hazard, maximum levels of toxic elements in groundwater in the Dehradun region are attributed to land use patterns, anthropogenic activity, industrial activity, fertilizer and pesticide leaching, and residential waste into the aquifer system. The findings of this study could aid local planners and policymakers in preventing health risks from contaminated aquifers through the deployment of suitable monitoring and mitigation measures.

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 2013

This is the pioneering attempt to study the spatial patterns in structure of lotic ecosystems tha... more This is the pioneering attempt to study the spatial patterns in structure of lotic ecosystems that form the Ganga River system in the Himalaya. The diversity of source (glacier-fed [GF], snow-fed [SN] and spring-fed [SF]) and stream-size (both interrelated) across the altitudinal panorama, create numerous habitats that contribute to structural diversity. The spatial patterns in richness, density and taxonomic composition and distribution of benthic diatoms are less affected by source compared with macro-invertebrates but shows strong influence on the distribution of fish fauna that are poikiliotherms, because a glacier-fed river carries ice-cold water (usually <20°C) in contrast to normal waters in spring-fed system (22°C near snowline, 32°C in foothills). The abundance patterns of biota of lower organisation grade (diatoms, macro-invertebrates) do not differ sharply even across distant river basins as they are more influenced by proximate factors; thus the sub-basins of the Alak...

Water Supply, 2012

Developmental activities, geological reasons and mixing of industrial wastes are responsible for ... more Developmental activities, geological reasons and mixing of industrial wastes are responsible for the deteriorating quality of surface and ground water in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The drinking water sources of 13 districts of Uttarakhand have been assessed for the presence of four toxic metal ions (arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead). The health aspects of the four metal ions have also been reviewed according to the prescribed limits set up by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO). The present study reveals the absence of arsenic at almost all stations. Cadmium has been found only at Rudrapur, whereas chromium is found to be present in more than prescribed limits, in Kolti, Mussoorie and Dehradun. Significant presence of lead in the six districts of the state is indicative of the fact that proper management strategy of toxic metal ion remediation is required. Chromium and lead have exceeded the prescribed limit in 1.3 and 4.5% samples, r...

Desalination and Water Treatment, 2012

Arsenic is present in environment in trace amounts in rocks, soil, water and air but its toxicity... more Arsenic is present in environment in trace amounts in rocks, soil, water and air but its toxicity effects are highly dependent on its chemical forms; inorganic and organic. There is a direct association between elevated arsenic exposure through drinking water and prevalence of different types of cancers. Present review describes the brief account of arsenic chemistry with reference to water and environment which is relevant to its toxicity arising out of different arsenic species and fi nally its remediation technologies. The quantifi cation of arsenic species is diffi cult owing to the low concentration of arsenic in drinking water which is relatively lower than detection limits of modern analytical methods. New hyphenated techniques with more advanced tools have therefore, been discussed in the present paper which are being used in arsenic speciation analysis. The present review also highlights the importance to identify and quantify each chemical species of arsenic as more than 20 arsenic compounds are present in natural environment and in biological systems. Below microgram per liter detection limits are required to quantify arsenic species from these systems and a combination of chromatographic separation with atomic spectroscopy and mass spectroscopic detection is therefore, the most suitable speciation choice. The second important criteria viz. arsenic remediation from contaminated water for supply of safer drinking water is discussed and various remediation technologies are reviewed.

Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 2012

The monitoring of iron in water sources has been and will be of immense importance because modern... more The monitoring of iron in water sources has been and will be of immense importance because modern applications require accurate and reliable results of quantification of low levels of iron in water being used in specialized fields. Although iron in drinking water supplies is found to exist in four forms, Fe(II), Fe(III), iron bacteria, and organic iron, no single method

Journal of Mountain Research

The unprecedented generation of e-waste is a serious concern, which has become a critical environ... more The unprecedented generation of e-waste is a serious concern, which has become a critical environmental challenge across the world as well as considered as an emerging issue by policy makers, practitioners and researchers. The present paper deals with the case study conducted in four development blocks of Dehradun state (Doiwala, Sahaspur, Raipur and Vikasnagar) in Western Himalayan region from September 2020 to December 2021. We highlight standardized questionnaire based strategy including interviews of key stakeholders (Village head representatives, Education department, Development block officers, Representatives from Municipalities and Pollution Control Board) to evaluate present status of e-waste generation and awareness among communities. The results from the survey revealed that communities have low awareness level about e-waste management rules and regulations, its impact on environment and human health and formal and informal e-waste recycling processes. Besides, we organiz...

Journal of Water and Health, 2011

This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of alternative drinking water supp... more This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of alternative drinking water supply options in southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. A total of 90 water samples were collected during both dry and wet seasons from household based rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs), community based rain water harvesting systems (CRWHSs), pond-sand filters (PSFs) and ponds. The samples were evaluated for faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Heterotrophic Plate Count, as well as Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, and color) were also examined. In addition, sanitary inspections were conducted to identify faecal contamination sources. All options showed varying degrees of indicator bacterial contamination. The median E. coli concentrations measured for RWHSs, CRWHSs, PSFs, and ponds were 16, 7, 11, and 488 cfu/100 ml during the wet season, respectively. Vibrio cholerae O1/O139, Salmonella and Sh...

Journal of Mountain Research

Extensive Ichthyofaunal survey of various water resources of Uttarkhand was carried out for the p... more Extensive Ichthyofaunal survey of various water resources of Uttarkhand was carried out for the period of more than 15 years (2004-2019). The main objective of this paper is to know the district wise status, distribution and to recommend the strategy for the conservation and management of fishes of the state, so that clear-cut idea could be drawn, for further research and policy planning. In the present paper a total of 132 species of fish belonging to 67 genera, 27 families and 8 orders have been reported. The district wise distribution of fish represented a maximum of 101 species from Nainital, followed by 81 species from Dehradun, 75 species from Haridwar, 73 species from Udham Singh Nagar, 59 species from Pauri Garhwal, 37 species from Rudrapryag, 36 species from Almora, 35 species from Chamoli, 34 species from Bageshwar, while 32 species from Pithoragarh and Champawat and 29 species each from Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal. Besides these 10 species (7.5%) are in the category of E...

The Indian Forester, 2004

International Journal of Georesources and Environment

Sikkim State in the eastern Indian Himalayan Region experiences intensive landslides because of i... more Sikkim State in the eastern Indian Himalayan Region experiences intensive landslides because of its geologically brittle terrain coupled with heavy rainfall and anthropogenic influences. Based on satellite images and a toposheet from the Survey of India, a total of 50 landslides were identified in a study area of 133.8 km 2. Among them, 43 were validated in field survey. The important factors for landslide hazard are identified and thematic maps are prepared in ArcGIS. Impacting factors including geomorphologic properties, drainage and soil conditions are assigned weight factors according to our work knowledge in this region to generate thematic layers in ArcGIS for landslide hazard analysis. A landslide hazard zonation map containing five classes, ranging from very low hazard to very high hazard, is produced. The results provide a reliable database for disaster detection and post disaster management, which is essential to planning developmental activities in this district.

Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 2013

ABSTRACT The poor water quality, bacterial contamination, seasonal variation, uncertainty in mons... more ABSTRACT The poor water quality, bacterial contamination, seasonal variation, uncertainty in monsoon, lack of sustainability etc. are some major challenges of the water sector in the Himalayan region of India. To tackle the major problem of water quality, River Bank Filtration (RBF) has been applied in Uttarakhand as a domestic water pre-treatment technology. This technique is found to be effective for removal of turbidity and bacterial contamination present in surface water of four rivers of Uttarakhand, namely Alaknanda, Mandakini, East Nayar, and Pinder. The present paper reveals the improved water quality of rivers produced through RBF in a sustainable manner as compared to surface river water being supplied for drinking purpose. The classification of water quality using Pearson correlation followed by Piper trilinear and Chadha’s diagrams further provide support to the better water quality through RBF. Moreover, the results of Water Quality Index (WQI) also reflect the excellent water quality with ‘A-Grade’ of all river water samples obtained after RBF process in comparison to normal river water samples having good water quality with ‘B-Grade’ except the Srinagar site, where the river water sample was found to be unsuitable for drinking purpose with ‘E-Grade’. Alluvial deposits of RBF sites along the banks of the four rivers show the potential of replication of RBF at large scale in the hill state of Uttarakhand.

International Journal of Water

The present study on dynamic flow of River Ganga was undertaken for a period of one year from Oct... more The present study on dynamic flow of River Ganga was undertaken for a period of one year from October 2012 to September 2013 to assess the species diversity and impact of pollution on limnological conditions of River Ganga in Uttarakhand, India. In the present study water samples were collected from two important sampling sites Shivpuri and Pashulok barrage of River Ganga in Rishikesh. A total of three groups were identified, total diatoms, green algae and blue green algae, including six major species belonging to diatoms. Higher concentration of phytoplankton species at site 2 indicates polluted nature of river water and can be used as an indicator of organic pollution in the river for domestic use but having positive effect on the growth of these ecological indicators of aquatic ecosystem. Biographical notes: Gagan Matta has an experience of ten years in research in the field of aquatic science majorly with hydrological assessment and modelling. He has published 19 books and more than 48 research papers in international journals and also has a number of awards nationally and internationally. Currently, he is guiding three research scholars leading for PhD degree. His research focuses on surface and groundwater quality in northern part of India with modelling and informatics approach.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Providing safe drinking water for the entire world's population is essential for ensuring sustain... more Providing safe drinking water for the entire world's population is essential for ensuring sustainable development. The presence of harmful compounds in aquifers, majorly toxic elements, is a serious environmental concern around the globe. This research aimed to quantify for the initial period the amounts of toxic elements in freshwater in the Dehradun Industrial Region of Uttrakhand, India, as well as the associated health risks. The PTEs (potentially toxic elements) Fe, Cd, Mn, Cu, Cr and Pb, Zn, Ni is measured by AAS and compared to BIS and WHO requirements for drinking safety. The order of mean trace element values in all groundwater samples were determined as Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Co > Cd > Pb. HPI was discovered to be higher than high class during the research period (HPI > 30), but under the severe contamination criterion of 100. Iron's MI and PI values were consistently over the threshold limit during the research period, and certain toxic elements were discovered exceptionally near the threshold limit, indicating a severe future influence on groundwater quality. According to PCA (principal component analysis), CM (correlation matrix), and potential health hazard, maximum levels of toxic elements in groundwater in the Dehradun region are attributed to land use patterns, anthropogenic activity, industrial activity, fertilizer and pesticide leaching, and residential waste into the aquifer system. The findings of this study could aid local planners and policymakers in preventing health risks from contaminated aquifers through the deployment of suitable monitoring and mitigation measures.

Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 2013

This is the pioneering attempt to study the spatial patterns in structure of lotic ecosystems tha... more This is the pioneering attempt to study the spatial patterns in structure of lotic ecosystems that form the Ganga River system in the Himalaya. The diversity of source (glacier-fed [GF], snow-fed [SN] and spring-fed [SF]) and stream-size (both interrelated) across the altitudinal panorama, create numerous habitats that contribute to structural diversity. The spatial patterns in richness, density and taxonomic composition and distribution of benthic diatoms are less affected by source compared with macro-invertebrates but shows strong influence on the distribution of fish fauna that are poikiliotherms, because a glacier-fed river carries ice-cold water (usually <20°C) in contrast to normal waters in spring-fed system (22°C near snowline, 32°C in foothills). The abundance patterns of biota of lower organisation grade (diatoms, macro-invertebrates) do not differ sharply even across distant river basins as they are more influenced by proximate factors; thus the sub-basins of the Alak...

Water Supply, 2012

Developmental activities, geological reasons and mixing of industrial wastes are responsible for ... more Developmental activities, geological reasons and mixing of industrial wastes are responsible for the deteriorating quality of surface and ground water in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The drinking water sources of 13 districts of Uttarakhand have been assessed for the presence of four toxic metal ions (arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead). The health aspects of the four metal ions have also been reviewed according to the prescribed limits set up by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO). The present study reveals the absence of arsenic at almost all stations. Cadmium has been found only at Rudrapur, whereas chromium is found to be present in more than prescribed limits, in Kolti, Mussoorie and Dehradun. Significant presence of lead in the six districts of the state is indicative of the fact that proper management strategy of toxic metal ion remediation is required. Chromium and lead have exceeded the prescribed limit in 1.3 and 4.5% samples, r...

Desalination and Water Treatment, 2012

Arsenic is present in environment in trace amounts in rocks, soil, water and air but its toxicity... more Arsenic is present in environment in trace amounts in rocks, soil, water and air but its toxicity effects are highly dependent on its chemical forms; inorganic and organic. There is a direct association between elevated arsenic exposure through drinking water and prevalence of different types of cancers. Present review describes the brief account of arsenic chemistry with reference to water and environment which is relevant to its toxicity arising out of different arsenic species and fi nally its remediation technologies. The quantifi cation of arsenic species is diffi cult owing to the low concentration of arsenic in drinking water which is relatively lower than detection limits of modern analytical methods. New hyphenated techniques with more advanced tools have therefore, been discussed in the present paper which are being used in arsenic speciation analysis. The present review also highlights the importance to identify and quantify each chemical species of arsenic as more than 20 arsenic compounds are present in natural environment and in biological systems. Below microgram per liter detection limits are required to quantify arsenic species from these systems and a combination of chromatographic separation with atomic spectroscopy and mass spectroscopic detection is therefore, the most suitable speciation choice. The second important criteria viz. arsenic remediation from contaminated water for supply of safer drinking water is discussed and various remediation technologies are reviewed.

Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 2012

The monitoring of iron in water sources has been and will be of immense importance because modern... more The monitoring of iron in water sources has been and will be of immense importance because modern applications require accurate and reliable results of quantification of low levels of iron in water being used in specialized fields. Although iron in drinking water supplies is found to exist in four forms, Fe(II), Fe(III), iron bacteria, and organic iron, no single method

Journal of Mountain Research

The unprecedented generation of e-waste is a serious concern, which has become a critical environ... more The unprecedented generation of e-waste is a serious concern, which has become a critical environmental challenge across the world as well as considered as an emerging issue by policy makers, practitioners and researchers. The present paper deals with the case study conducted in four development blocks of Dehradun state (Doiwala, Sahaspur, Raipur and Vikasnagar) in Western Himalayan region from September 2020 to December 2021. We highlight standardized questionnaire based strategy including interviews of key stakeholders (Village head representatives, Education department, Development block officers, Representatives from Municipalities and Pollution Control Board) to evaluate present status of e-waste generation and awareness among communities. The results from the survey revealed that communities have low awareness level about e-waste management rules and regulations, its impact on environment and human health and formal and informal e-waste recycling processes. Besides, we organiz...

Journal of Water and Health, 2011

This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of alternative drinking water supp... more This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of alternative drinking water supply options in southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. A total of 90 water samples were collected during both dry and wet seasons from household based rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs), community based rain water harvesting systems (CRWHSs), pond-sand filters (PSFs) and ponds. The samples were evaluated for faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Heterotrophic Plate Count, as well as Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, and color) were also examined. In addition, sanitary inspections were conducted to identify faecal contamination sources. All options showed varying degrees of indicator bacterial contamination. The median E. coli concentrations measured for RWHSs, CRWHSs, PSFs, and ponds were 16, 7, 11, and 488 cfu/100 ml during the wet season, respectively. Vibrio cholerae O1/O139, Salmonella and Sh...

Journal of Mountain Research

Extensive Ichthyofaunal survey of various water resources of Uttarkhand was carried out for the p... more Extensive Ichthyofaunal survey of various water resources of Uttarkhand was carried out for the period of more than 15 years (2004-2019). The main objective of this paper is to know the district wise status, distribution and to recommend the strategy for the conservation and management of fishes of the state, so that clear-cut idea could be drawn, for further research and policy planning. In the present paper a total of 132 species of fish belonging to 67 genera, 27 families and 8 orders have been reported. The district wise distribution of fish represented a maximum of 101 species from Nainital, followed by 81 species from Dehradun, 75 species from Haridwar, 73 species from Udham Singh Nagar, 59 species from Pauri Garhwal, 37 species from Rudrapryag, 36 species from Almora, 35 species from Chamoli, 34 species from Bageshwar, while 32 species from Pithoragarh and Champawat and 29 species each from Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal. Besides these 10 species (7.5%) are in the category of E...

The Indian Forester, 2004

International Journal of Georesources and Environment

Sikkim State in the eastern Indian Himalayan Region experiences intensive landslides because of i... more Sikkim State in the eastern Indian Himalayan Region experiences intensive landslides because of its geologically brittle terrain coupled with heavy rainfall and anthropogenic influences. Based on satellite images and a toposheet from the Survey of India, a total of 50 landslides were identified in a study area of 133.8 km 2. Among them, 43 were validated in field survey. The important factors for landslide hazard are identified and thematic maps are prepared in ArcGIS. Impacting factors including geomorphologic properties, drainage and soil conditions are assigned weight factors according to our work knowledge in this region to generate thematic layers in ArcGIS for landslide hazard analysis. A landslide hazard zonation map containing five classes, ranging from very low hazard to very high hazard, is produced. The results provide a reliable database for disaster detection and post disaster management, which is essential to planning developmental activities in this district.

Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 2013

ABSTRACT The poor water quality, bacterial contamination, seasonal variation, uncertainty in mons... more ABSTRACT The poor water quality, bacterial contamination, seasonal variation, uncertainty in monsoon, lack of sustainability etc. are some major challenges of the water sector in the Himalayan region of India. To tackle the major problem of water quality, River Bank Filtration (RBF) has been applied in Uttarakhand as a domestic water pre-treatment technology. This technique is found to be effective for removal of turbidity and bacterial contamination present in surface water of four rivers of Uttarakhand, namely Alaknanda, Mandakini, East Nayar, and Pinder. The present paper reveals the improved water quality of rivers produced through RBF in a sustainable manner as compared to surface river water being supplied for drinking purpose. The classification of water quality using Pearson correlation followed by Piper trilinear and Chadha’s diagrams further provide support to the better water quality through RBF. Moreover, the results of Water Quality Index (WQI) also reflect the excellent water quality with ‘A-Grade’ of all river water samples obtained after RBF process in comparison to normal river water samples having good water quality with ‘B-Grade’ except the Srinagar site, where the river water sample was found to be unsuitable for drinking purpose with ‘E-Grade’. Alluvial deposits of RBF sites along the banks of the four rivers show the potential of replication of RBF at large scale in the hill state of Uttarakhand.

International Journal of Water

The present study on dynamic flow of River Ganga was undertaken for a period of one year from Oct... more The present study on dynamic flow of River Ganga was undertaken for a period of one year from October 2012 to September 2013 to assess the species diversity and impact of pollution on limnological conditions of River Ganga in Uttarakhand, India. In the present study water samples were collected from two important sampling sites Shivpuri and Pashulok barrage of River Ganga in Rishikesh. A total of three groups were identified, total diatoms, green algae and blue green algae, including six major species belonging to diatoms. Higher concentration of phytoplankton species at site 2 indicates polluted nature of river water and can be used as an indicator of organic pollution in the river for domestic use but having positive effect on the growth of these ecological indicators of aquatic ecosystem. Biographical notes: Gagan Matta has an experience of ten years in research in the field of aquatic science majorly with hydrological assessment and modelling. He has published 19 books and more than 48 research papers in international journals and also has a number of awards nationally and internationally. Currently, he is guiding three research scholars leading for PhD degree. His research focuses on surface and groundwater quality in northern part of India with modelling and informatics approach.