arsenic contaminated aquifers: a study...

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ARSENIC CONTAMINATED ARSENIC CONTAMINATED AQUIFERS: A STUDY OF THE AQUIFERS: A STUDY OF THE GANGA LEVEE ZONES IN BIHAR, GANGA LEVEE ZONES IN BIHAR, INDIA INDIA A.K.Ghosh, S.K.Singh, Nupur Bose A.K.Ghosh, S.K.Singh, Nupur Bose [Dept. of EWM, A.N.College, Patna, India] [Dept. of EWM, A.N.College, Patna, India] & & S. Chaudhary [Dept. of Botany S. Chaudhary [Dept. of Botany [T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, India] [T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, India]

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ARSENIC CONTAMINATED ARSENIC CONTAMINATED AQUIFERS: A STUDY OF THE AQUIFERS: A STUDY OF THE

GANGA LEVEE ZONES IN BIHAR, GANGA LEVEE ZONES IN BIHAR, INDIAINDIA

A.K.Ghosh, S.K.Singh, Nupur BoseA.K.Ghosh, S.K.Singh, Nupur Bose [Dept. of EWM, A.N.College, Patna, India][Dept. of EWM, A.N.College, Patna, India]

&&S. Chaudhary [Dept. of Botany S. Chaudhary [Dept. of Botany [T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, India][T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, India]

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION This study is a pilot project on This study is a pilot project on

detection of ground water detection of ground water arsenic contamination in Ganga arsenic contamination in Ganga Levee zone, Bihar.Levee zone, Bihar.

Our recent findings indicate Our recent findings indicate arsenic concentrations are much arsenic concentrations are much higher in groundwater collected higher in groundwater collected from the youngest alluvial from the youngest alluvial terraces than those associated terraces than those associated with the shield.with the shield.

Most (87%) of the As is present Most (87%) of the As is present as As(III). as As(III).

Bihar – Districts studied for Arsenic Bihar – Districts studied for Arsenic contaminationscontaminations

WEST

BENGAL

BALLIA, U.P.

ARSENIC TOXICITYARSENIC TOXICITY Bihar is the second most populated Bihar is the second most populated

Indian state with a density of 880 Indian state with a density of 880 persons/kmpersons/km2. 2. A large number of A large number of persons have visible symptoms of persons have visible symptoms of Arsenicosis in the study area.Arsenicosis in the study area.

We detected symptoms ranging from We detected symptoms ranging from skin discoloration to cancers in study skin discoloration to cancers in study area.area.

In our study area, about In our study area, about 7,28,787 persons are exposed to this problem.persons are exposed to this problem.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYBACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Arsenic in ground water of Bihar was Arsenic in ground water of Bihar was

detected after 10-15 years of detected after 10-15 years of detection of similar problem in Bengal detection of similar problem in Bengal basin.basin.

Initial random survey in 2003 Initial random survey in 2003 confirmed apprehensions of the confirmed apprehensions of the upstream spatial spread of this upstream spatial spread of this dreaded scourge.dreaded scourge.

This pilot study was initiated to This pilot study was initiated to conduct a rigorous testing of all conduct a rigorous testing of all drinking water sources along the drinking water sources along the Ganga river banks of Patna, Bhojpur, Ganga river banks of Patna, Bhojpur, Vaishali and Bhagalpur districtsVaishali and Bhagalpur districts. .

The study belt was 5- 10 Kms. wide in The study belt was 5- 10 Kms. wide in each district.each district.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To establish that the problem is more severe than

that of the adjacent Bengal Basin. To determine the spatial extent of arsenic

contaminated aquifers in Bihar, tapped for domestic and agricultural use.

To prove Bihar contaminations as westward extension of the Bengal contaminations through mapping.

To provide a database of arsenic contaminated drinking water sources in Bihar for immediate follow-up mitigation strategies, and further interdisciplinary research.

METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY The study area was identified on the The study area was identified on the

basis of geochemical environs of basis of geochemical environs of arsenic mobilization similar to that of arsenic mobilization similar to that of Bengal, and high population Bengal, and high population concentrations. concentrations.

Given the poverty, overpopulation and Given the poverty, overpopulation and lack of infrastructure in the study area, lack of infrastructure in the study area, a PROTOCOL was devised by this a PROTOCOL was devised by this research group, that was fast, cost-research group, that was fast, cost-effective and reliable.effective and reliable.

This protocol was subsequently This protocol was subsequently approved by Govt. of Bihar, and also by approved by Govt. of Bihar, and also by Govt. of U.P. when this contamination Govt. of U.P. when this contamination showed signs of appearing in the Upper showed signs of appearing in the Upper Ganga Basin as well.Ganga Basin as well.

6 COMPONENTS OF THE PROTOCOL

Primary testing of water samples from Primary testing of water samples from public hand pumps by Field Test Kits [FTKs].public hand pumps by Field Test Kits [FTKs].

Marking of each tested hand pump by a Marking of each tested hand pump by a unique 13 digit code based upon the Govt. of unique 13 digit code based upon the Govt. of India’s Census Codes of 2001.India’s Census Codes of 2001.

Random verification of 10%of FTK results Random verification of 10%of FTK results through AAS to be done.through AAS to be done.

All FTK samples above 40 ppb. subject to All FTK samples above 40 ppb. subject to confirmatory tests by AAS / UVS.confirmatory tests by AAS / UVS.

Creation of public awareness by marking the Creation of public awareness by marking the hand pumps with colour codes.hand pumps with colour codes.

Recording of GPS data of arsenic hotspotsRecording of GPS data of arsenic hotspots

FIELD TESTINGFIELD TESTING

LABORATORY TESTINGLABORATORY TESTING

G.P.S. RECORDINGSG.P.S. RECORDINGS

Painting of Sources –Tested Hand pumps Painting of Sources –Tested Hand pumps were painted RED (Unsafe)/ BLUE (Safe) were painted RED (Unsafe)/ BLUE (Safe)

after after AAS confirmationAAS confirmation

Unsafe -RED Safe - Blue

Efficacy of the Field Test Kits Efficacy of the Field Test Kits [manufactured by CHEMIN [manufactured by CHEMIN

INDIA, Pune, used was INDIA, Pune, used was proved by Sriram Institute of proved by Sriram Institute of

Industrial Research, New Industrial Research, New Delhi Delhi

- positive correlation of 0.67 - positive correlation of 0.67 of FTK and AAS resultsof FTK and AAS results

FINDINGSFINDINGS

7,218 of 27,061 hand 7,218 of 27,061 hand pumps tested had pumps tested had

arsenic contaminated arsenic contaminated water of>10 ppbwater of>10 ppb..

[26.67%][26.67%]

PATNA DISTRICTPATNA DISTRICT

30302832835. BARH5. BARH

600 600 [26.26%][26.26%]2,2842,284TOTALTOTAL

1011016986984. BAKHTIARPUR4. BAKHTIARPUR

32321931933. SAMPATCHAK3. SAMPATCHAK

73732532532. DANAPUR2. DANAPUR

3643648578571. MANER1. MANER

NO. OF NO. OF CONTAMINATED CONTAMINATED

PUMPSPUMPS

NO. OF PUMPS NO. OF PUMPS TESTEDTESTED

BLOCKBLOCK

PATNA MAPPATNA MAP

PATNA [contd.]PATNA [contd.]

In Patna district, northwestern In Patna district, northwestern administrative blocks of Maner and administrative blocks of Maner and Danapur had 38.06%Danapur had 38.06% [maximum of [maximum of 724ppb.]724ppb.] and 26.87% contaminated and 26.87% contaminated water pumps respectively, other water pumps respectively, other diffuse and/or sporadic occurences diffuse and/or sporadic occurences being found in their south and being found in their south and eastern direction.eastern direction.

BHOJPUR DISTRICTBHOJPUR DISTRICT

2,496 2,496 [47%][47%]6,3186,318TOTALTOTAL

76763353356. KOILWAR6. KOILWAR

30302032035. ARA5. ARA

93931711714. UDWANT 4. UDWANT NAGARNAGAR

3043049239233. BEHEA3. BEHEA

9079072,5092,5092. SHAHPUR2. SHAHPUR

1,0861,0862,6772,6771. BARHARA1. BARHARA

NO. OF NO. OF CONTAMINATED CONTAMINATED

PUMPSPUMPS

NO. OF PUMPS NO. OF PUMPS TESTEDTESTED

BLOCKBLOCK

BHOJPUR MAPBHOJPUR MAP

BHOJPUR [contd.]BHOJPUR [contd.]

In the western district of Bhojpur, over In the western district of Bhojpur, over 47% of the tested hand pumps yielded As. 47% of the tested hand pumps yielded As. above 10ppb. above 10ppb.

More than 50% of the water pumps in More than 50% of the water pumps in Barhara and Udwantnagar, more than 30% Barhara and Udwantnagar, more than 30% in Shahpur and Behea, and between 15%-in Shahpur and Behea, and between 15%-30% Ara and Koilwar Blocks were 30% Ara and Koilwar Blocks were detected.detected.

Very high As. Contaminations [confirmed Very high As. Contaminations [confirmed maximum of 1861 ppb.] was noted in maximum of 1861 ppb.] was noted in Shahpur.Shahpur.

VAISHALI DISTRICTVAISHALI DISTRICT

1,612 1,612 [18.73%][18.73%]8,0808,080 TOTALTOTAL

65653793795. DESRI5. DESRI

2432436346344. SAHDAI 4. SAHDAI BUZURGBUZURG

2522521,9221,9223. BIDUPUR3. BIDUPUR

8778774,1204,1202. HAJIPUR2. HAJIPUR

1751751,0251,0251. RAGHOPUR1. RAGHOPUR

NO. OF NO. OF CONTAMINATED CONTAMINATED

PUMPSPUMPS

NO. OF PUMPS NO. OF PUMPS TESTEDTESTED

BLOCKBLOCK

VAISHALI MAPVAISHALI MAP

VAISHALI [contd.]VAISHALI [contd.]

Northern Vaishali District’s contaminations were Northern Vaishali District’s contaminations were 18.73% of 8,080 hand pumps.18.73% of 8,080 hand pumps.

Except Raghopur block, the other 4 blocks had Except Raghopur block, the other 4 blocks had more than 55% contaminated sources.more than 55% contaminated sources.

Raghopur was the only block in the entire study Raghopur was the only block in the entire study area to yield arsenic ranging from 5 ppb. and area to yield arsenic ranging from 5 ppb. and above, from all the hand pump waters tested. But above, from all the hand pump waters tested. But only 17.18 % of all samples had more than 10 only 17.18 % of all samples had more than 10 ppb. It also recorded the highest confirmatory ppb. It also recorded the highest confirmatory readings of readings of 360ppb.360ppb.This is a riverine island.This is a riverine island.

% of Contaminated Hand pumps increased % of Contaminated Hand pumps increased towards east.towards east.

BHAGALPUR DISTRICTBHAGALPUR DISTRICT

2510 2510 [35.65%][35.65%]

70417041TOTALTOTAL

3573578888885. SABOUR5. SABOUR

620620136613664. PIRPAINTI4. PIRPAINTI

4244249269263. KAHALGAON3. KAHALGAON

98986816812. SULTANGANJ2. SULTANGANJ

101101318031801.NATHNAGAR1.NATHNAGAR

NO. OF NO. OF CONTAMINATED CONTAMINATED

PUMPSPUMPS

NO. OF PUMPS NO. OF PUMPS TESTEDTESTED

BLOCKBLOCK

Bhagalpur MapBhagalpur Map

BHAGALPUR [contd.]BHAGALPUR [contd.] A clear trend of contaminated aquifers were A clear trend of contaminated aquifers were

detected from Pirpainti through Kahalgaon to detected from Pirpainti through Kahalgaon to Sabour.Sabour.

% of contaminated pumps were highest in % of contaminated pumps were highest in Pirpainti along eastern boundary [45.87%], that Pirpainti along eastern boundary [45.87%], that successively decreased to the west. Pirpainti successively decreased to the west. Pirpainti shares common boundary with Bengal in the east.shares common boundary with Bengal in the east.

Between Sabour and Nathnagar arsenic free Between Sabour and Nathnagar arsenic free pumps owed their existence to deep bored pumps pumps owed their existence to deep bored pumps which tap deep safe aquifers.which tap deep safe aquifers.

Emergence of high contamination levels in Emergence of high contamination levels in Nathnagar west of Bhagalpur town is a cause of Nathnagar west of Bhagalpur town is a cause of concern. concern. This Block had highest as well as open This Block had highest as well as open well contamination.well contamination.

Recent tests are revealing increased arsenic Recent tests are revealing increased arsenic readings in tested pumps.readings in tested pumps.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSIONArsenic contamination has a greater areal spread in Arsenic contamination has a greater areal spread in

Bihar than in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. Bihar than in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. These primary findings indicate necessity of intensive These primary findings indicate necessity of intensive testing of all drinking water hand pumps in the fluvial testing of all drinking water hand pumps in the fluvial plain.plain.Temporal changes and risk of arsenic mobilization in Temporal changes and risk of arsenic mobilization in

hitherto “safe aquifers” need to be monitored.hitherto “safe aquifers” need to be monitored.Visible symptoms of arsenic poisoning have just Visible symptoms of arsenic poisoning have just

begun to appear in the population, as exposure of this begun to appear in the population, as exposure of this population to arsenic –laced water is a recent population to arsenic –laced water is a recent phenomena.phenomena.Interdisciplinary research is required to provide an Interdisciplinary research is required to provide an

exhaustive database for adoption of sustainable exhaustive database for adoption of sustainable mitigation strategy, given the poverty and lack of mitigation strategy, given the poverty and lack of infrastructure in the study area infrastructure in the study area

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENT

WE THANK UNICEF, BIHAR CENTER WE THANK UNICEF, BIHAR CENTER FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THISFOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS

PROJECTPROJECT

THANK YOUTHANK YOU