Ganga Water Has Natural Self-Purifying Elements: NEERI Study

A 12-year research study conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a unit of CSIR, has revealed that the Ganga River contains three unique elements that enable it to naturally purify itself. These properties distinguish the Ganga from other rivers like Yamuna and Narmada, which lack these self-cleansing attributes.

Key Findings of the Study
The research, conducted under the ‘National Mission for Clean Ganga’, analyzed water samples from the 2,400-km stretch of the Ganga in three segments:
1.    From Gomukh to Haridwar (Upper Ganga)
2.    From Haridwar to Patna (Middle Ganga)
3.    From Patna to Bengal (Lower Ganga)
Three Unique Self-Purifying Elements in Ganga Water
1.    High Dissolved Oxygen Content – The Ganga has a remarkably high oxygen retention capacity, found up to 20 mg per liter, which helps break down pollutants and sustain aquatic life.
2.    Phytochemicals from Vegetation – Natural phytochemicals like terpenes released from plant life along the river help neutralize pollutants.
3.    Bacteriophages (Virus That Destroys Harmful Bacteria) – The presence of bacteriophages in Ganga water prevents the growth of disease-causing bacteria, making it naturally resistant to microbial contamination.
Why Ganga Stands Apart from Other Rivers
When researchers compared the Ganga with rivers like Yamuna and Narmada, they found that these three elements were either absent or present in much lower concentrations. This explains why the Ganga retains its self-cleansing properties, despite being exposed to high pollution levels.
Comprehensive Study of Water, Sediments, and Sand
According to Dr. Krishna Khairnar, a microbiologist at NEERI, the study not only examined the Ganga’s water quality but also analyzed the riverbed soil and sediments. The findings suggest that these self-purifying elements also influence the composition of the river’s sand and soil, further aiding in natural filtration and pollution control.
This groundbreaking study provides scientific validation of the Ganga’s historical reputation for having self-purifying properties and highlights the importance of preserving its unique ecosystem.