PROFILING METAL AND MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS IN ALAKNANDA RIVERWATER AT RUDRAPRAYAG

Background: The Alaknanda River, a major tributary of the Ganga, plays a critical role in regional water supply. Monitoring its water quality is essential due to increasing anthropogenic and geogenic pressures. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of Alaknanda River water at Ru-draprayag, Uttarakhand, to evaluate its suitability for human use and ecological sustainability. Methods: Water samples were collected and analysed for parameters such as pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metals (via ICP-MS), and microbial contamination, including coliforms and environmental bacterial iso-lates, using MALDI-TOF. Results: The pH (7.68), turbidity (<1 NTU), and TDS (140 mg/L) were within BIS permissible limits. No coliform con-tamination was detected; however, environmental bacteria, including Pantoea dispersa, Leclercia adecarboxylata, and Micrococcus luteus, were isolated. Elevated concentrations of selenium, indium, and bismuth were ob-served, although they remained within broader environmental thresholds. Conclusion: While key physicochemical and microbiological parameters indicate that the water is suitable for aquatic ecosys-tems and possibly human use, the presence of certain metals warrants continued monitoring. This study under-scores the importance of ongoing water quality assessment in the region.