IJEP 45(3): 199-211 : Vol. 45 Issue. 3 (March 2025)
1. Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Department of Civil Engineering, Prayagraj – 211 004, Uttar Pradesh, India
2. Central Ground Water Board, Lucknow – 226 021, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Arsenic contamination of groundwater affects an estimated 500 million people in over 100 countries. The ingestion of high amounts of arsenic (>0.01 mg/L) can lead to arsenical keratosis, skin and gall bladder cancers, as well as risk of cardiovascular diseases. In the Indian state of Bihar, 18 out of 38 districts have reported presence of high arsenic. This research studies the hydrochemistry of groundwater at arsenic contaminated Brahmapur block in Buxar, Bihar, with a focus on its suitability for drinking and irrigation. The samples from 27 tubewells were analyzed for hydrogeochemical properties, like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), nitrate (NO3–), bicarbonate (HCO3–), carbonate (CO32-), sulphate (SO42-), chloride (Cl–), total arsenic (As) and other trace metals during the year 2022-23. The maximum arsenic concentration of 741 µg/L was found during the pre-monsoon (May) season, with 33% of samples showing As>10 µg/L concentration. There was a sharp decrease in arsenic levels (<10 µg/L) during post-monsoon (November). The water quality index (WQI) and various irrigation quality measures, such as sodium absorption ratio (SAR), were also evaluated. A positive correlation was observed between As-K+ and As-HCO3–. Therefore, more frequent monitoring of the groundwater in this block is recommended.
Keywords
Arsenic, Groundwater, Irrigation, Hydrochemistry, Water quality index
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