Abstract
An alarming situation of exceedingly high Fe and Mn concentrations in both surface water and groundwater has been identified in a tectonically active region located in Assam-Arakan basin of northeast India. Cross plots, Pearson correlation, principal component analysis and flow net methods were applied to elucidate the present state and possible sources of Fe and Mn contamination. Out of 32 water samples collected for the study, all of them found exceeding 28 times more for Fe and 136 times more for Mn than EPA limit. Correlation and cross plots of pH, TDS, EC, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn suggest the reduction of both Fe-hydroxides and Mn-oxides in redox condition into dissolve states leading to Fe and Mn elevations in groundwater. Principal component analysis exhibits three PC factors in which PC1 and PC3 reflected oxidized condition and PC2 reflected reducing environment that controlled Fe and Mn concentrations. The study also revealed that source of high Fe and Mn contaminations was controlled by groundwater flows. Water table contour flow net suggests that the Chathe river acts as influent stream and supplies elevated Fe and Mn water into the shallow aquifers. Baseflow from the discharge areas into low lying areas causes accretion of Fe and Mn in pond, oxbow lake, backswamp and shallow aquifers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
