[A-HW25] Near Surface Investigation and Modeling for Groundwater Resources Assessment and Conservation

[AHW25-03] Fate and transport of Arsenic contamination in ground water of northern India.

*Satyajit Singh Saini¹, Jahangeer Jahangeer¹, Neha Sami¹, Sirajuddin Ahmed¹ (1.Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India)

Keywords:Arsenic contamination, Hydrus modeling, Groundwater, Field survey

Groundwater plays vital role in human existence and hence it is tried to keep it pure. Shallow aquifers of northern India have been affected by arsenic contamination and high concentration is a major public health threat. For drinking water supplies, Subsurface Arsenic Removal (SAR) treatment method which is competent, economic and comparably newer methodology. In this research we conducted a detailed survey in Uttar Pradesh, India and Arsenic in groundwater is found to be at a higher level than the prescribed limit at many locations. Consumption of Arsenic polluted water has severely impacted the population and resulted in a health crisis-like situation in forty districts of population size of approximately 2.34 crores people. A primary survey in districts Deoria, Ballia, Basti, Gonda has shown that most of the rural dwellers had skin lesions because of As exposure. Furthermore, we have used HYDRUS-1D simulation of Arsenic mobilization and transport in the soil-water system. The numerical simulation of different saturation conditions was done at different sites to assess the Arsenic flux to the subsurface water. It was observed that the moisture flux mainly aids the Arsenic flow and other factors such as land cover, aquifer depth, the chemical and biological structure of the soil, drainage system, etc. affect its percolation down to reach in the groundwater. This research would help in preparing plan of action for efficient methods to take care of groundwater and assist in management of underground water resources.