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

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  • Laura A. Richards

    (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)

  • Arun Kumar

    (Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, India)

  • Prabhat Shankar

    (Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, India)

  • Aman Gaurav

    (Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, India)

  • Ashok Ghosh

    (Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, India)

  • David A. Polya

    (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)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura A. Richards & Arun Kumar & Prabhat Shankar & Aman Gaurav & Ashok Ghosh & David A. Polya, 2020. "Distribution and Geochemical Controls of Arsenic and Uranium in Groundwater-Derived Drinking Water in Bihar, India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2500-:d:341968
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    2. Tung Bui Huy & Tran Thi Tuyet-Hanh & Richard Johnston & Hung Nguyen-Viet, 2014. "Assessing Health Risk due to Exposure to Arsenic in Drinking Water in Hanam Province, Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Ross Nickson & John McArthur & William Burgess & Kazi Matin Ahmed & Peter Ravenscroft & Mizanur Rahmanñ, 1998. "Arsenic poisoning of Bangladesh groundwater," Nature, Nature, vol. 395(6700), pages 338-338, September.
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    1. Joel Podgorski & Ruohan Wu & Biswajit Chakravorty & David A. Polya, 2020. "Groundwater Arsenic Distribution in India by Machine Learning Geospatial Modeling," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, September.

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