Hydro-geochemical Evolution and Arsenic Occurrence in Aquifer of Central Ganges Basin (PDS NO: NIH-13_2017_23)

Abstract

Groundwater abstraction from the alluvial aquifer system is reported to be approximately one-fourth of the world’s total groundwater abstraction and supports the agricultural activity of south Asia. The alluvial formation of the Ganga plain in the state of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh comprises productive soils and aquifers. The use of groundwater for irrigation and domestic purposes has increased manifolds in these states. The Indo Gangetic aquifer is one of the most heavily exploited aquifers in the world. The excessive withdrawal of groundwater has adversely affected groundwater resources in terms of both quantity and quality. Water quality challenges mainly include contamination by agricultural runoff, sewage leakage, sepage into groundwater, and geogenic contamination such as arsenic, fluoride, etc. Arsenic (As) contaminated drinking water is the most challenging environmental problem and is currently affecting around 220 million people across the globe; out of which, around 94% affected people are in Asia. Chronic exposure to groundwater having arsenic concentration more than 10 μg/L leads to numerous adverse health impacts like lower intelligence quotients, type 2 diabetes, skin lesions, melanosis, keratosis, cancer, etc. Arsenic contamination in water is producing the greatest impact on livelihoods in terms of public health and thus arsenic calamity in the Ganga river basin has put millions of population in danger.