Brahmaputra Pollution: An analysis

The Brahmaputra River, a major water source for millions of people in India, China, and Bangladesh, is facing severe pollution issues. The river's pollution has far-reaching impacts on the ecosystem and the health of the people who depend on it.

Sources of Pollution:

• Untreated sewage: A significant contributor to the Brahmaputra's pollution is the discharge of untreated sewage. In Guwahati, it was found that many households have drainage lines directly connected to the river, carrying waste and sewage. In 2012, the level of fecal coliform bacteria in Guwahati was more than the usual norm.
• Industrial effluents: Industrial development in the Brahmaputra basin contributes to pollution through the discharge of effluents. Industries like petroleum, fertilizer, tea, food products, cement and plastic contribute to this type of pollution.
• Solid waste: Improper waste disposal is another major factor, with solid waste, including plastics, being dumped in the river and along its banks. More than 90% of municipal solid waste is dumped in open fields.
• Oil pollution: Oil spills from processing factories and oilfields near the river also contribute to pollution. Oil does not dissolve in water, blocking oxygen and harming aquatic life. Over the last 10 years, more than 200 incidents of oil spills have been reported.
• Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural lands also contribute to the river's pollution.
• Microplastics: The Brahmaputra is also polluted by microplastics from sources like landfills, construction debris, fishing, and domestic plastic use. Microplastics were found in the river's sediments in high concentrations, with the smaller sizes being more abundant.

Impact of Pollution:

• Water Quality: Studies have found that the water quality of the Brahmaputra has declined, especially since 2015. There are high concentrations of coliform bacteria at some monitoring stations along the river.
• Health Issues: The consumption of polluted water leads to health issues such as stomach problems, jaundice, and hepatitis.
• Ecosystem Disruption: Pollution has led to a decline in fish populations and other aquatic life. The number of river dolphins has also reduced drastically. The release of sewage into the river has also reduced the abundance of fish and the richness of species.
• Heavy Metals: Studies have shown high concentrations of heavy metals such as iron, chromium, lead, and copper in the Brahmaputra, which are carcinogenic. The sediments of the river are contaminated with heavy metals from both natural and human-made sources.

Specific Locations and Studies:

• Guwahati: The city of Guwahati is a major source of pollution for the Brahmaputra, lacking a state-owned sewage treatment plant. The city dumps 154 million liters of sewage into the river daily.
• Bangladesh: Studies in Bangladesh have shown that the Brahmaputra is heavily polluted with heavy metals. The river's water and sediments are impacted by untreated industrial and urban waste.
• Other Studies: Several studies have confirmed the polluted state of the Brahmaputra, with findings of high levels of pollutants like microplastics, heavy metals, and coliform bacteria. One study in 2017 classified the Brahmaputra river water in Guwahati as Class IV, or polluted.

Efforts to Address Pollution:

• Action Plans: Action plans have been created to rejuvenate the river, including measures for industrial pollution control, sewage treatment, and ecological flow management.
• Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): There is a proposal to set up STPs in cities along the river to treat sewage before it enters the water. The government of Assam has proposed setting up three STPs in Guwahati and one in Tezpur.
• Monitoring: The Pollution Control Board of Assam is monitoring water quality at different locations along the river and is working to stop pollution at the source.
• Community Involvement: Local communities are encouraged to organize cleaning drives and raise awareness about the impact of human activities on the river.
• Legal Actions: Legal action has been taken against industries responsible for oil spills, which indicates that there are legal avenues to combat pollution.

Additional Information:

• The Brahmaputra River is the fifth largest river system globally in terms of annual average discharges, with an average annual runoff of 591 km3/year.
• The river basin covers 580,000 km2 in India, China, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
• The main channel of the Brahmaputra is 2880 km long.
• The Brahmaputra's potentially usable water resources are estimated at 50 km3/year, with 81% of the water being utilized for irrigation, 10% for household use, and 9% in the food industry.

The Brahmaputra River is facing significant pollution challenges from multiple sources. Addressing these problems will require concerted efforts to improve waste management, treat sewage, control industrial discharges, and raise public awareness.