Yamuna's Toxic Foam: A Crisis in Environmental Governance

The alarming increase of toxic foam in the Yamuna River highlights severe environmental governance issues in Delhi. Environmental experts point to chemical pollutants in untreated wastewater as culprits, impacting both air quality and aquatic life. The crisis calls for urgent action to tackle Delhi's pollution problem and improve wastewater management.

In a disturbing development, toxic foam has been observed floating on the Yamuna River, a problem exacerbated by rising pollution levels. Environmentalist Vimlendu K Jha criticized the environmental governance in Delhi, noting that the primary sources of pollution stem from within the capital itself. Despite attempts to shift blame onto other states, the discharge from 17 drains in Delhi into the river remains a significant concern.

Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, explained to ANI that the dangerous froth results from surfactants present in untreated wastewater. Following the monsoon, atmospheric conditions create ideal circumstances for froth formation, which stabilizes in October as temperatures decrease. This foam, laden with harmful organic matter, releases volatile gases contributing to secondary organic particulate matter in the air.

Research has shown that this froth is detrimental to aquatic life, with organic pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff significantly contributing to the issue. The partitioning of organic compounds between water and air can form secondary organic aerosols when VOCs react with oxidants, a problem exacerbated by high pollution levels in urban settings like the Yamuna River. Immediate action is required to address these environmental threats.

(With inputs from agencies.)