The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Pink Pond in the clear, at last

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Pink Pond in the clear, at last

T. Lalith Singh

Effluents have nothing to do with pond water going pink

SUSPENSE IS OVER: A view of the Pink Pond. - Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: Contrary to common perception, it is bacteria and not industrial effluents that give a pinkish hue to Noor Mohammad Kunta at Katedan that has earned the sobriquet `Pink Pond.'

A research team from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) and University of Hyderabad (UoH) that worked on samples collected from the pond located near the industrial area has come out with the surprising conclusion.

All these years, the textile and dye effluents have been blamed for the pond water going pink but the real cause for the phenomenon happens to be coloured bacteria, they say. "The colour is because of the blooms of a group of coloured bacteria known as Anoxygenic phototropic bacteria," says Ch. Sasikala, Associate Professor, JNTU Centre For Environment.

Colour pigment

This bacteria contain a pink pigment called `Okenone' and this is what causes a water body gain the colour. While the green colour associated with water is because of algae and chlorophyll present in them, some bacteria can give pink, red to brown colours to water bodies, explains Ch.V. Ramana, Reader, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad.

The bacteria could be observed under the microscope and the research team identified it as Amoeba bacter of the purple sulphur group. "The blooms of these bacteria are possible in stagnant water bodies which provide anaerobic conditions, reduced sulphur compounds and receive adequate sunlight," he says. The team also observed that samples from the pond had sedimentation after centrifuge which according to them, showed the presence of bacteria. "Dye is soluble and will not sediment on centrifugation," says Sasikala. They also came across several smaller water bodies around Noor Mohammad Kunta that were in pink and purple colour.

"Unlike other water bodies such as Hussainsagar where one can find green algae, these are rarely found," she says. Against the common impression on the colour being a reflection of the pollution in the pond and harmful, the duo term the bacteria as a very safe and helpful in nature. "In fact, the bacteria helps in fighting the pollution as it consume the hydrogen sulphides which if left unattended can be unbearable," says the University of Hyderabad Reader.

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