Hardev Singh Virk,
- Professor of Eminence Physics Department (Honorary) Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab India
Abstract
The curse of heavy metal contamination in groundwaters of Punjab state is causing health hazards for the population of Punjab. It is not so much a natural disaster as its origin can be traced to a man-made crisis in Punjab. Potentially toxic elements, including high levels of Uranium (U) contamination in the Malwa belt of Punjab, Arsenic contamination in the Majha belt, and Selenium contamination in the Doaba belt of Punjab, have been reported by the author in groundwater of Punjab. Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) of Punjab Government has collected and conducted groundwater survey of almost all villages of Punjab state to determine heavy metal contents of groundwater in the underground water table of Punjab. Groundwater quality data pertaining to heavy metals, such as Arsenic, Selenium, Mercury, Iron, and Aluminum, have been also reported. The present study pertains to trace elements, namely heavy metals like Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead in groundwater of Punjab state. The present investigations reveal that Nickel and Cadmium are both equally rampant in Punjab with concentration variation from 0.02 mg/l to 0.947 mg/l and 0.003 mg/l to 0.162 mg/l, respectively. Chromium concentration in groundwater shows a variation from 0.053 mg/l to 0.308 mg/l. Almost 80% of villages with high chromium concentration fall within the boundaries of Hoshiarpur district. Lead is highly toxic and its concentration in groundwater above the safe limit has been found in 708 habitations with a variation from 0.010 mg/l to 0.479 mg/l. The origin and occurrence of heavy metals may be traced to overexploitation of groundwater resources in Punjab.
Keywords: Groundwater, heavy metals, contaminants, health hazards, mitigation
[This article belongs to Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research(jowppr)]
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Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research
Volume | 11 |
Issue | 01 |
Received | June 21, 2024 |
Accepted | July 24, 2024 |
Published | August 3, 2024 |