Question

The main cause for abundant coliform bacteria in river ganga
A. Disposal of unburnt corpses into river
B. Discharge of effluents from electroplating industries
C. Washing of clothes
D. Immersion of ashes

Answer 1

Hint: The main cause of coliform bacteria in the ganga river is human excreta ( urine and feces ).

Complete answer: They are a group of bacteria that are present in the human intestine and cause contamination of water if present in the water.
The disposal of unburnt corpses makes the water polluted and releases these bacteria in the water.
Ganga river’s fecal coliform level is found to be 3 to 12 times higher than the tolerated level at most inter state boundaries.
Fecal coliform bacteria such as E.coli are found in human excreta that is fecal and urine.

Additional information: The coliform bacteria is killed by means of chlorination or boiling water.
1. Coliform infection causes abdominal cramping, gas, severe watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever ,etc.
2. Antibiotics such as piperacillin and imipenem are required for their treatment.
3. They are usually present in the gut of all human beings are harmless in nature but only if present in water they become polluted or may cause mild diarrhea in some.
4. Bacteria can spread from person to person through fecal matter.

The correct answer is, (A)

Note: It is important to burn the corpses and then dispose them off as it may prevent mass transmission of the disease.
The criteria used by CPCB to measure total coliform levels to assess the health of the river is 5000 per 100 ml and pH should be between 6.5 to 8.5.