ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess physicochemical parameters and their correlations in two lentic ecosystems adjacent to Jhiri municipal dump site, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. This investigation focuses on contamination of the leachate from the landfill site on surface water quality and health of the aquatic ecosystem. Water samples were collected from two existing lentic sites (enumerated as Sample A and Sample B) during the pre-monsoon period. A total of eight physicochemical parameters were analyzed following American Public Health Association standard methods. It includes pH, dissolved oxygen, chloride, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, and total alkalinity. Inter-parameter relationships were established by Pearson correlation analysis. Sample A exhibited pH 8.72, dissolved oxygen 7.6 mg/L, chloride 76.68 mg/L, total hardness 180 mg/L, calcium 40.88 mg/L, magnesium 19.00 mg/L, carbon dioxide 2.2 mg/L, and alkalinity 20 mg/L. Sample B showed pH 8.53, critically depleted dissolved oxygen 0.68 mg/L, chloride 53.96 mg/L, total hardness 12 mg/L, calcium 16.03 mg/L, magnesium 6.82 mg/L, carbon dioxide 2.2 mg/L, and alkalinity 30 mg/L. Statistical analysis revealed exceptionally strong positive correlations between total hardness and calcium (r = 0.999, p < 0.001), calcium and magnesium (r = 0.974, p < 0.01), and total hardness and magnesium (r = 0.989, p < 0.001), indicating coupled carbonate mineral dissolution processes. Moderate correlations between chloride and hardness parameters (r = 0.882, p < 0.05) suggested common contamination sources. The fifteen-fold hardness variation and eleven-fold dissolved oxygen difference demonstrated substantial spatial heterogeneity within the lake system. Severely depleted dissolved oxygen in Sample B (0.68 mg/L) indicates critical hypoxia from organic pollution, likely attributable to landfill leachate infiltration. Strong parameter correlations confirm natural geochemical processes dominate water chemistry, while spatial variations suggest differential contamination exposure. This study establishes that improperly managed landfill sites significantly compromise the nearby surface water quality, creating conditions unsuitable for aquatic life, human health, and well-being. Keywords: Jhiri Lake, Ranchi, Jharkhand, Lentic ecosystem, physicochemical parameters, water quality assessment, municipal solid waste, leachate.
Kumar et al. (Tue,) studied this question.