Distribution and Geochemical Controls of Arsenic and Uranium in Groundwater-Derived Drinking Water in Bihar, India

Bibliographic Data

ID15499418
AuthorsLaura A Richards (0000-0001-5267-9850, University of Manchester, corresponding author), Arun Kumar (0000-0001-8558-6810, Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre), Prabhat Shankar (Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre), Aman Gaurav (Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre), Ashok Ghosh (0000-0003-3602-2327, Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre), David A Polya (0000-0002-7484-6696, University of Manchester), David Polya (0000-0002-6065-5741, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue7
Pages2500-2500
Publication date2020-04-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17072500
PMID32268538
OpenAlexW3014092647
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited135

Chronic exposure to groundwater containing elevated concentrations of geogenic contaminants such as arsenic (As) and uranium (U) can lead to detrimental health impacts. In this study, we have undertaken a groundwater survey of representative sites across all districts of the State of Bihar, in the Middle Gangetic Plain of north-eastern India. The aim is to characterize the inorganic major and trace element aqueous geochemistry in groundwater sources widely used for drinking in Bihar, with a particular focus on the spatial distribution and associated geochemical controls on groundwater As and U. Concentrations of As and U are highly heterogeneous across Bihar, exceeding (provisional) guideline values in ~16% and 7% of samples ( n = 273), respectively. The strongly inverse correlation between As and U is consistent with the contrasting redox controls on As and U mobility. High As is associated with Fe, Mn, lower Eh and is depth-dependent; in contrast, high U is associated with HCO 3 - , NO 3 - and higher Eh . The improved understanding of the distribution and geochemical controls on As and U in Bihar has important implications on remediation priorities and selection, and may contribute to informing further monitoring and/or representative characterization efforts in Bihar and elsewhere in India

Aquifer · Arsenic · Contamination · Distribution (mathematics · Environmental remediation · Geochemistry · Groundwater · Hydrology (agriculture · Spatial distribution · Structural basin · Trace element · Uranium · Water resource management · Arsenic contamination and mitigation · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity · Heavy metals in environment · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry · Geology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access