Industrial effluents caused fire on water of Bellandur Lake

Bellandur Lake: the largest lake of Bengaluru
Bellandur Lake, the largest lake of Bengaluru, was in the news in first week of June 2015. It was in news as a team of researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) found that the fire on the water of Bellandur Lake on 16 May 2015 was caused due to industrial effluents in the water.  

The findings were published in a study titled, Pathetic status of wetlands in Bengaluru: epitome of inefficient and uncoordinated governance.

The study was led by environment scientist Prof TV Ramachandra of Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES).

The group in the study found that the foam was formed due to phosphorous present in detergents.

The study conducted on Bellandur Lake along with Varthur Lake suggested that the water of these lakes were harmful for domestic and irrigation purposes and it may contaminate groundwater. It also suggested that the foam may cause an environmental problem and can be a great threat for the wetlands of Bengaluru.

What are Foams?
Foams are enriched with particulate organic and inorganic compounds like nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon) and Cations (atoms that have lost an electron to become positive, such as Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium).

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