Yamuna River Ammonia Contamination
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: The Yamuna River in Delhi is facing high ammonia levels, leading to a political row between the Delhi government and the Haryana government.
About Ammonia Contamination in Yamuna River:
• What is the Issue?
• The Yamuna River, has been experiencing alarmingly high ammonia levels, particularly during the winter months. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has reported that ammonia levels often exceed the permissible limit of 1 part per million (ppm).
• The Yamuna River, has been experiencing alarmingly high ammonia levels, particularly during the winter months.
• The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has reported that ammonia levels often exceed the permissible limit of 1 part per million (ppm).
• Sources of Ammonia:
• Industrial Discharge: Factories in Panipat and Sonipat districts of Haryana release untreated effluents containing ammonia into the Yamuna. Agricultural Runoff: Ammonia-based fertilizers used in farming contribute to the contamination. Sewage: Untreated sewage from urban areas also adds to the ammonia levels in the river. Natural Sources: Decomposition of organic matter, such as algae, releases ammonia naturally.
• Industrial Discharge: Factories in Panipat and Sonipat districts of Haryana release untreated effluents containing ammonia into the Yamuna.
• Agricultural Runoff: Ammonia-based fertilizers used in farming contribute to the contamination.
• Sewage: Untreated sewage from urban areas also adds to the ammonia levels in the river.
• Natural Sources: Decomposition of organic matter, such as algae, releases ammonia naturally.
• Impacts of Ammonia Contamination:
• Health Risks: High ammonia levels can cause internal organ damage due to its corrosive properties. Water Supply Disruptions: Water treatment plants cannot process water with ammonia levels above 1 ppm, leading to water shortages in Delhi. Environmental Damage: Ammonia reduces dissolved oxygen levels in the river, harming aquatic life and degrading the river ecosystem.
• Health Risks: High ammonia levels can cause internal organ damage due to its corrosive properties.
• Water Supply Disruptions: Water treatment plants cannot process water with ammonia levels above 1 ppm, leading to water shortages in Delhi.
• Environmental Damage: Ammonia reduces dissolved oxygen levels in the river, harming aquatic life and degrading the river ecosystem.
About Yamuna River:
• Origin: The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacierin the Himalayas, at an elevation of 4,421 meters. Yamuna, once, a tributary of the River Ghaggar (most likely the Saraswati River referred to in the Veda) changed its course eastwards due to tectonic events.
• Yamuna, once, a tributary of the River Ghaggar (most likely the Saraswati River referred to in the Veda) changed its course eastwards due to tectonic events.
• States it flows through: The river basin extends through the states of Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan Length: 1,376 kilometres (It is the longest river in India which does not directly flow to the sea) Total catchment area: 36,220 kilometres.
• Length: 1,376 kilometres (It is the longest river in India which does not directly flow to the sea)
• Total catchment area: 36,220 kilometres.
• Tributaries: It has four main tributaries in the Himalayan region: Rishi Ganga, Hanuman Ganga, Tons and Giri. In the plains, the main tributaries are Hindon, Chambal, Sind, Betwa and Ken. Tons, being the major tributary contributes to about 60 percent flow of the Yamuna.
• It has four main tributaries in the Himalayan region: Rishi Ganga, Hanuman Ganga, Tons and Giri.
• In the plains, the main tributaries are Hindon, Chambal, Sind, Betwa and Ken.
• Tons, being the major tributary contributes to about 60 percent flow of the Yamuna.
• Confluence with Ganga: The Yamuna joins the Ganges Riverat Prayagraj.
• Cities: Noida, Mathura, Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Kalpi, Hamirpur and Prayagraj (Allahabad). Yamuna enters the National Capital Territory of Delhi at Palla Village and exits at Jaitpur totalling 52 kilometres.
• Yamuna enters the National Capital Territory of Delhi at Palla Village and exits at Jaitpur totalling 52 kilometres.
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