Groundwater Arsenic Contamination and its Implications: A Case Study of Shahpur Block of Bhojpur District, Bihar

Abstract

Bhojpur district is one of the 36 th districts in Bihar composed of 14 blocks. Out of 14 blocks, 06 blocks namely Ara, Barhara, Bihia, Koilwar, Shahpur and Udwant Nagar, situated along the bank of Ganga river are severely affected by ground water arsenic contamination. In the present study, Shahpur block has taken into consideration for assessment of groundwater arsenic contamination, impact of arsenic on grain quality and human health, average daily consumption of arsenic by inhabitants of affected villages and total agricultural area affected due to irrigation through arsenic contaminated groundwater. Shahpur block is composed of 86 revenue villages. Out of 86 revenue villages, 30 villages were selected for assessment of arsenic contamination in groundwater. Study findings reveals that out of total 30 selected revenue villages, 27 villages are severely affected by groundwater arsenic contamination. Maximum concentration of arsenic findings was obtained in hand pump of village Karnamepur where the level of arsenic was 598 ppb. Out of 30 revenue villages, only three villages namely Harkhi Pipra, Suhiya and Domariya were arsenic free. Study findings shows that 2137.11 hectares irrigated agricultural land (43.76 % of blocks irrigated land) of 27 revenue villages in Shahpur block is irrigated by arsenic contaminated groundwater. These agricultural land and crops cultivated in the affected area are vulnerable to assimilation of groundwater arsenic through irrigation. The elevated level of arsenic in food grains may result since crops receiving arsenic contaminated groundwater as a source of irrigation can uptake arsenic during the phyto-extraction process and bio-accumulate in different degrees in different parts of plants. The present study findings also reveals that the average per capita consumption of arsenic by children, young person, adults and old persons are 0.227 mg/L, 0.489 mg/L, 0.559 mg/L and 0.568 mg/L respectively. The identified per capita arsenic consumption in arsenic affected villages has