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Industrial effluents destroying aquatic life in river Chenab

RECORDER REPORT

MULTAN: The industrial effluents, toxic wastes and chemicals have completely destroyed the aquatic life and fish culture in River Chenab and collapsed the fishing business in the area.

Over 80 million gallons of highly acidic and alkaline polluted water being discharged daily from tanneries, ghee mills, textile, fertilizer and other industries in to 60 miles long Sikandri canal (Shujabad branch) which end up in River Chenab. The sewerage water is also being discharged from disposal stations to River Chenab via the canal.

The effects of both the wastes have indicated biological oxygen demand (BOD) at 290 mg/1 and the chemicals oxygen demand (COD) at 721 mg/1. The results have shown excessive quantity which is beyond environment protection measures.

According to Environment Protection Department (EPD) measures the BOD should be 80 mg/1 and COD 1.5 mg/1 in the river water. The COD level in water increases due to excess discharging of potentially lethal chemical 'chromium' into river which destroys all the aquatic life in the river.

The News research has revealed that mortality occurred rapidly due to continuous increase of polluted sodic water in river Chenab, which decreased PH value equal to 5.0 mg/1. If the PH falls below 5.5 mg/1, the water can little by little become toxic for most of the fish in the river. The decrease of PH covered the skin of fish with a whitish film and secrete a lot of mucus: the edges of gills turned beownish.

A the same time, the water is ferruginous hence the colloidal iron settles on the gills and makes breathing difficult or impossible, thus increasing the harmful effects of the acidity of water. Colloidal iron may also favour the development of gills disease in fish seed.

Another factor damaging aquatic life is the quantity of too alkaline water. A PH value above 9.0 mg/1 has been considered dangerous for fish. It follow is the distribution of quicklime or results from a biogenic decalcification which liberates some quicklime. High alkaline water burns the gills of fish and injures fins. Discharge of the industrial effluents contains heavy metals, such as mercury, chromium, lead and arsenic threatening and destroying aquatic life in River Chenab.

The colour of Effluents, Industrial Department Laboratory tests report, has indicated poisonous compounds as sulphides, sodium dichromate and sodium sulphate, sodium tetra sulphite, chlorides, organic acids, oil, grease, sodium carbonate, sulpuric acid, and bleaching in chemicals like sodium bi-sulphate, pigments and waxes. The chromium compounds have too corrosive action on skin and mu-mem and its lesion is deep penetrating ulcer which is slow heal.

"The industrial effluent in Sikandri canal water is a dilute mixture of these potentially dangerous chemicals and compounds", the laboratory test reports said.