Pink Froth In Yamuna Signals Rising Chemical Pollution

Why in the News ?

A section of the Yamuna River near the Okhla barrage in Delhi has recently been covered with pink-coloured froth, raising concerns among environmental experts about untreated industrial effluents and sewage pollution entering the river.

Emergence of Pink Froth in the Yamuna:

• The Kalindi Kunj–Okhla barrage stretch of the Yamuna in southeast Delhi has been observed with pink-coloured floating froth resembling iceberg-like formations.
• Environmental experts believe the unusual colour indicates chemical contamination from untreated industrial dyes and wastewater entering the river.
• The phenomenon has persisted for several days, triggering alarm among environmental activists and pollution control authorities.
• According to activists, the froth consists of chemical foam containing dyes, phosphates, detergents, surfactants, and toxic pollutants.
• The incident highlights continuing environmental degradation of the Yamuna, despite repeated government initiatives to clean the river.

Causes of Froth Formation and Pollution Sources

• Froth formation in rivers typically occurs when surfactants from detergents and chemicals mix with polluted water and air, creating stable bubbles.
• The fall of water at the Okhla barrage increases churning, which intensifies the formation of foam on the river surface.
• Lower winter temperatures make the foam more stable and visible, worsening the situation.
• Potential pollution sources include untreated industrial effluents from dyeing and textile units, domestic sewage, dhobi ghats, and decomposing organic matter.
• Studies have identified pollution hotspots in drains such as Shahdara drain, Ganesh Nagar drain, and other wastewater channels discharging untreated effluents into the Yamuna.