Arsenic in groundwaters of the central Gangetic plain regions of India

• Groundwater from central Gangetic plain regions contains arsenic (As) concentrations few tens of time higher than the drinking water guideline value (10 μg/L) prescribed by the World Health Organization. The concentration of As near an inland lake was high where as it was moderate to low in the interior flood plains. The intermediate and deeper aquifers have higher As concentrations compared to shallow aquifers. These aquifers seem to be particularly at risk, due to the prevailing geochemical conditions in which oxidized and reduced waters mix, and where the amount of sulfate available for microbial reduction seem to be limited. The severity of As contamination necessitates restricted use of groundwater or look for alternative water sources like rivers. The rain water harvesting could be another alternative option along with a community based management and maintenance in this rural region.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

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