Distribution, geochemical behavior, and risk assessment of arsenic in different floodplain aquifers of middle Gangetic basin, India.

Abstract

The present study interprets the distribution and geochemical behavior of As in groundwaters of different regions along the floodplains of Ganga river (Varanasi, Ghazipur, Ballia), Ghaghara river (Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Basti), and Rapti river (Balrampur, Shrawasti) in the middle Gangetic basin, India for risk assessment (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic). The concentration of As in groundwaters of these floodplains ranged from 0.12 to 348μg/L (mean 24μg/L), with around ~ 37% of groundwater samples exceeding the WHO limit of 10μg/L in drinking water. Highest As concentration (348μg/L) was recorded in groundwater samples from Ballia (Ganga Floodplains), where 50% of the samples had As > 10μg/L in groundwater. In the study area, a relatively higher mean concentration was recorded in deep wells (28.5μg/L) compared to shallow wells (20μg/L). Most of the high As-groundwaters were associated with the high Fe, bicarbonate and low nitrate and sulfate concentrations indicating the release of As via reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides. The saturation index values of the Fe minerals such as goethite, hematite, ferrihydrite, and siderite showed the oversaturation to near equilibrium in groundwater, suggesting that these mineral phases may act as source/sink of As in the aquifers of the study area. The health risk assessment results revealed that a large number of people in the study area were prone to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks due to daily consumption of As-polluted groundwater. The highest risks were estimated for the aquifers of Ganga floodplains, as indicated by their mean HQ (41.47) and CR (0.0142) values.