Cause Of Groundwater Contamination Research Articles

Delineation of Subsurface Migration Pathways of Petroleum Contaminants in Ikarama, Okordia Clan of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

One well-known cause of groundwater contamination in developing nations that produce oil is oil leaks. Oil leaks are typically caused by a variety of circumstances, such as inadequate management and upkeep of oil facilities, equipment failure, and pipeline vandalism by oil criminals. This research evaluates the movement of underground oil contaminants in an oil production field at the Okordia clan's Ikarama hamlet in the Yenagoa Local Government Area in the state of Bayelsa. Schlumberger array was utilized in order to apply the electrical resistivity tomography technique along three (3) VES surrounding the oil spill spot. Values for resistivity were found. In the locations under study, three (3) vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted. Comparison of theoretical soil resistivity to measured fluid resistivity for various caption exchange Values of capacity have been researched. The resistivity values, when reversed, ranged from 0.17 m to 146.8 m. The hydrocarbon contamination (oil plumes) is the cause of the high resistivity values (21.54 – 146.8 Ωm) and the low resistivity values (0.1–15.8 Ωm). The 2D resistivity approach is an effective tool for examining pollution caused by hydrocarbon in a coastal environment, as this study has proven.

Groundwater quality in the vicinity of a dumpsite in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Inappropriate management of municipal solid waste dumpsites is a major cause of groundwater contamination in developing countries, but the extent of the problem is not known. This study investigated groundwater quality in the vicinity of Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria, the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa. During 2020, monthly groundwater samples were collected in 17 wells and boreholes used as drinking water sources, and analysed for 20 physico-chemical parameters. Differences between sites and seasons were statistically assessed, together with changes in water quality index (WQI). The results indicated that heavy metals (Pb2+, Ni+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Cr6+), cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), total hardness and pH were the main parameters impairing water quality. Drinking water quality standards from both the World Health Organization and Nigeria government were exceeded more often in the wet season than in the dry season. Some groundwater properties were negatively correlated with distance to dumpsite (e.g., Fe2+, Pb2+, NO3−). Significant differences between sites were identified, but with no clear spatial trend. WQI varied from excellent (6%–24% of the sites over the study period) to unsuitable for drinking water purposes (12%–18%), with good quality prevailing at most sites (35%–47%). Although groundwater quality declined at 24% of the sites over 2020, the results indicated improvements compared with previous decades. Remediation strategies must be implemented to safeguard public health and the sustainability of water resources.

Effect of expansive soils on swelling behavior of encapsulated sodium bentonite of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL)

Due to the rapid urbanization of Indian cities, the generation of MSW is exponentially increasing. The confinement of the hazardous emission from a municipal solid waste (MSW) dumpsite is the major responsibility of management and engineers. Landfill gases and leachate generation are the results of chemical and biological activities in municipal solid waste and its decomposition process. The seepage control of leachate is a crucial aspect of MSW management. The flow of leachate to groundwater is one of the major causes of groundwater contamination resulting in human health risks nearby population. Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are the most preferred options to restrict the flow of leachate from dumpsite to groundwater. GCL consists of sodium/ calcium bentonite as an encapsulated material between woven and non-woven carriers. The swelling behavior of sodium bentonite with low hydraulic conductivity makes it suitable to prevent the flow through it. In this study, the swelling nature of sodium bentonite was assessed in combination with expansive soils. The soils were collected from two different regions of Uttar Pradesh as Banda and Mahoba districts. The results showed that the swelling tendency of sodium bentonite can be enhanced by using specific proportions of expansive soils.

Ground Water Quality Assessment for Sustainable Drinking Purpose

Ground water is the purest form of water that can be in used agriculture and consumption purposes. Several factors have an impact on the quality of groundwater, including seasonal changes, the composition of dissolved salts, the water table’s elevation, and the geology of a particular location. The dumping of unexpurgated factory waste directly through watercourses, which results in substantial pollutants level in underground water as well as the surface, is the primary cause of groundwater contamination. As the human population increases, the groundwater becomes even more important for economic and social activity. The study conducted in the Bhubaneswar region of Orissa, India focused on assessing the water quality suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. The research found that microorganisms had contaminated the groundwater. The study collected 40 water samples from four selected localities, and various analysis methods were conducted to assess the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the collected samples. The physico-chemical parameters studied included total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, turbidity, total hardness, and chloride. The microbiological parameters studied were F. coliform and E. coli. The research found that some regions had TDS and total hardness levels below acceptable limits, according to IS 10500:2012. The chloride concentration was below the desired limit. However, the pH in some locations was much lower than acceptable. Overall, this study highlights the importance of regularly monitoring and assessing the quality of groundwater in different regions to ensure that it is safe for human use. The findings of this study can help policymakers and local authorities to develop effective strategies to protect groundwater resources and ensure that they remain safe for future generations.

Characterization of the groundwater quality in Udham Singh Nagar of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand

The Udham Singh Nagar district is affluent in fertile land and water resources and even favoured for industrial advancement, resulting in a rapid increase of industrialization and urban growth, which are the inevitable causes of groundwater contamination. In recent years the increased rate of urbanization and Integrated Industrial Estate (IIE) in Pantnagar, Kashipur and Sitarganj area (of the district) have increased the demand for groundwater. Proper groundwater resource planning and monitoring on a regional scale are required to cope with the pace of rapid urbanization and industrialization along with dire irrigation needs. To suffice this strategy, the spatial distribution of water quality shall determine the sustainable approach to be implemented in an area. This research aims to assess the hydrochemical quality of the groundwater in Udham Singh Nagar district (areal extent 3055 Km2), Uttarakhand. The groundwater samples collected from the aquifer have shown anomalous values of Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Magnesium (Mg2+), Iron (Fe), and Lead (Pb2+) on undergoing major elemental analysis, which confirms degradation in the groundwater quality. Moreover, the Piper Trilinear Diagram (PTD) has identified groundwater's hydrochemical facies and characterization. Based on the interpretation of TDS, most groundwater samples < 500 mg/L of dissolved solids, making it desirable for drinking. Therefore, this phenomenon attributes to suitable drinking water present in the aquifer of Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.

Experimental Study on Physico-Chemical Parameters of Ground Water at Peth Seer Sopore J&amp;K

Human activities, use of fertilizers and chemicals in agricultural fields are the main causes of ground water contamination. Therefore to protect and improve the natural eco system, water quality analysis is essential. The main goal of this work is to study the criteria governing the groundwater quality in the nearby wells of Peth Seer, Sopore J&amp;K. Total 12 groundwater samples and 15 water quality parameters for each sample are considered in this study. The ground water samples of all the selected stations were collected for a physiochemical analysis. For calculating present water quality status, following 16 parameters have been considered Viz. pH, TDS, EC, Chloride concentration, Nitrate concentration, Sulphate concentration, Alkalinity, Fluoride concentration, Total hardness, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Temperature, Turbidity, Residual chlorine. The obtained results are compared with WHO (2017). The study reveals that the concentrations of all the constituents are well within the permissible limits of WHO (2017). Groundwater in the study area is suitable for drinking purpose as prescribed by WHO (2017) and irrigation purposes as prescribed by IS-11624(1986).

Assessment of groundwater contamination and the role of hydraulic fracturing operation in Weld County, USA

&lt;p&gt;In shale gas-producing countries, soil, and groundwater contamination due to surface spills associated with hydraulic fracturing operations is one of the most worrying problems that arise, since its elimination is not easy or cheap to carry out, and its effects persist for many years. Thus, this study identifies the environmental and health risks associated with the extraction of unconventional gas. The study was carried out based on the available data obtained from Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) regarding groundwater pollution from spills that have occurred in Weld County where fracking has become a common practice. Data sources related to spills were analyzed. A range of parameters that characterize the quality of the water were investigated to determine the groundwater quality and compared with the international standards to evaluate its suitability for different utilizations. The result showed that the groundwater is not suitable for human consumption nor irrigation purposes. The study shows that there are 33 surface water bodies, 17 wetlands, 23 livestock, and 31 occupied building are threatened with pollution. The study also indicated that about 80 % of cases of spills are due to equipment failures. It can be concluded that the most important cause of surface spills and therefore potential contamination of soil and groundwater is equipment failure. Oil surface spills are the main causes of groundwater contamination, yet the contribution of agricultural activities to the spread of this contamination should not be neglected.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;

Groundwater contamination in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a review.

Groundwater quality levels are currently deteriorating in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries due to excessive surface and subsurface human activities. Agricultural and industrial activities, landfill seepage and seawater intrusion have been attributed to the deterioration of groundwater quality in GCC states. Such a deterioration of groundwater quality could affect water security in the region, including human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, this review aims to identify the key causes of groundwater contamination across the GCC countries from the published literature. In addition, the review summarizes the major components of the groundwater contaminants across the GCC countries. The results have shown that heavy metals, several cations and anions are the leading cause of groundwater pollution. In most cases, the level of metals and ion contaminants exceeds both the local and international water quality standards. The results have observed the presence of high levels of coliform and radioactive elements in groundwater, especially Uranium and Radium, thereby posing additional risk to human health through consumption. Considering the scarcity of freshwater resources in GCC, urgent actions are required from the decision-makers and relevant regulatory bodies to set up and implement long-term mitigation strategies and stringent policies that will protect the groundwater resources from the adverse effects of anthropogenic activities.

Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater and Its Implications for Drinking Water Quality and Human Health in Under-Developed Countries and Remote Communities—A Review

Arsenic is present naturally in many geological formations around the world and has been found to be a major source of contamination of groundwater in some countries. This form of contamination represents a serious threat to health, economic and social well-being, particularly in under-developed countries and remote communities. The chemistry of arsenic and the factors that influence the form(s) in which it may be present and its fate when introduced into the environment is discussed briefly in this review. A global overview of arsenic contamination of groundwater around the world is then discussed. As a case study, the identified and established causes of groundwater contamination by arsenic in Bangladesh is highlighted and a perspective is provided on the consequential health, agricultural, social and economic impacts. In addition, the relevant removal strategies that have been developed and can generally be used to remediate arsenic contamination are discussed. Also, the possible influence of groundwater inorganic compositions, particularly iron and phosphate, on the effectiveness of arsenic removal is discussed. Furthermore, some specific examples of the filter systems developed successfully for domestic arsenic removal from groundwater to provide required potable water for human consumption are discussed. Lastly, important considerations for further improving the performance and effectiveness of these filter systems for domestic use are outlined.

Appraisal of Groundwater Quality with Human Health Risk Assessment in Parts of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain, North India.

Groundwater contamination in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain has reportedly been affected by various factors, such as mineral dissolution, overexploitation, precipitation, and ion exchange. This study was designed to interpret the hydrochemical fluctuations in the groundwater sources of a rural area in Raebareli district. Groundwater is slightly alkaline and affected by the issues of fluoride, salinity, hardness, and nitrate. The Pollution Index of Groundwater significantly categorize 57% and 79% of the samples under the "insignificant pollution" category during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The Health risk assessment indicated the high susceptibility of children toward health risks. It also indicated that fluoride had greater impact than nitrate in the study area. The multivariate statistical analysis indicates that anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural practices, including excessive fertilizer application and improper domestic and cattle waste management, are probable causes of groundwater contamination through NO3-, Cl-, Na+, and K+. Furthermore, the base exchange index classified 71.43% samples in pre-monsoon and 78.57% in post-monsoon as Na-HCO3 type. The meteoric genesis index suggested that 78.57% and 85.71% of the samples belong to shallow meteoric water percolation type during pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The Piper plots revealed that HCO3-Ca·Mg and SO4·Cl-Na + K type are the prominent facies in the area, with dominance of alkalis and weak acids. According to Gibbs plot, majority of the samples fall under "rock dominance" suggesting that "rock-water" interaction was the dominant natural process controlling the groundwater chemistry.

Assessment of Characterization of Leachate Generated using Leachate Generated Model

There are many approaches which have been used to assess the ground water and surface water contamination. The land disposal of municipal waste is potential cause of groundwater contamination unscientifically managed dumping yards are prone to groundwater contamination because of leachate production. The leaching behaviour of a waste can be assessed either by the experimental determination of the characteristics of leachate generated or through mathematical modeling.A pilot study was conducted to assess the characterization of leachate generating using Leachate Generated Model (LGM). In present study the model is used to study the effect of gomutra and enzymes on the municipal solid waste and the leachate quality. The result indicated that the colour of leachate generated in study area was found to be oxygenated and has organic compound which resulted in increased permeability. The results reveal that the use of gomutra (15%) mixed with MSW, was a good indication that organic matters in leachate are readily biodegradable in mature land fill, where as 10% gomutra used in MSW, showed that (BOD / COD = 0.64) leachate had high biodegradability through anaerobic phase. This stimulator showed better result than enzymes used and is also helpful to prevent containing of waste water tube wells and bore holes affected from leachate generated.

Delineating the impacts of poultry burial leachate on shallow groundwater in a reclaimed agro-livestock farming area, using multivariate statistical analysis of hydrochemical data.

Burial is applied to dispose of livestock carcasses due to its convenience and cost efficiency despite concerns about groundwater contamination by leachate from burial pits. In particular, the burial method has caused debates about groundwater contamination sources around on-farm livestock burial sites because of pre- and coexisting contamination from livestock production and agriculture. To assess the causes of groundwater contamination around poultry burial pits that were constructed after an outbreak of avian influenza in 2010-11 in Korea, hydrochemical data of groundwater samples from monitoring wells (MWs, n = 14) and household wells (HWs, n = 30) were monitored to differentiate contamination sources. Hydrochemical data indicated that groundwater from MWs is characterized by higher enrichments of inorganic constituents including electrical conductivity (EC), NH4, Ca, Mg, K, SO4, HCO3, Fe(Total), and Mn(Total), but lower concentrations of DO than groundwater from HWs. The combined use of the principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means cluster analysis (KCA) indicated that groundwater in seven MWs was affected by leachate. The parameters such as NH4, Ca, Mg, K, SO4, HCO3, Fe(Total), and Mn(Total) are expected to be useful to identify the impact of leachate on groundwater in agricultural areas. This study suggests that (1) regional hydrochemical characteristics should be assessed to distinguish the effect of livestock burial leachate from other contamination sources and (2) the combined use of PCA and KCA is effective to identify the weakened impact of leachate leakage among overlapping multiple sources and processes of groundwater contamination.

Water Policy of Korea for Supplying Safe Groundwater in Rural Areas

According to a 2015 study conducted by the Ministry of Environment of Korea, municipal water is supplied to 96.1% of the total Korean population, but 3.9% of the total population (~2.14 million people) in rural myeon or villages, drink groundwater from old and/or unregistered wells that are not a part of the municipal water system. Additionally, accurate statistics are not reported without regular water quality tests, so safety measures alone are insufficient to improve water quality. In this situation, the Korean government is responsible for verifying the quality of groundwater and identifying the cause of groundwater contamination in areas with no municipal water supply. The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) under the Ministry of Environment of Korea, conducted the ‘Safe Groundwater Supply Project (SGSP)’ between 2012 and 2016 to secure groundwater quality stability in areas without the benefit of municipal water. This survey identified groundwater quality using a detailed water quality survey and gave recommendations for supplying safe groundwater and providing future improvements and countermeasures in cases of groundwater pollution. This paper presents the SGSP and consists of water quality analysis, the exploration and exploitation of drinking water facilities, the selection of a pilot project area among high-pollution areas, and improvement measures for water quality in the pilot project area.

Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) monitoring for groundwater contamination in an uncontrolled landfill, South Korea

In the study area, uncontrolled landfill leachate is a serious cause of groundwater contamination that occurs extensively and rapidly following the rainy season. For this reason, the use of traditional hydrogeological monitoring methods using drilled wells is expensive and limited. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) is suitable for monitoring groundwater contamination because this method helps quickly investigate a large site without the need for well drilling. The resistivity of the landfill leachate is lower than that of clean groundwater; based on this fact, we evaluated the diffusion of landfill leachate before and after the rainy season using 3-D ERI characterization. In addition, ERI results were compared with piezometric and hydrochemical data obtained from observation wells for the purpose of cross-validation. The groundwater monitoring results agreed with the 2-D and 3-D interpretation of ERI results. The electrical resistivity values of contaminated zones were lower than those of clean zones due to an abundance of ions or molecules in the groundwater. The resistivity boundary between contaminated and clean zones observed in the inverted 2-D and 3-D ERI sections was considered to be approximately 100Ω-m. The low-resistivity anomaly of the contamination zones increased in extent after rainfall. The expansion was likely accelerated by groundwater movement and diffusion of the landfill leachate. Images of the change in electrical resistivity were helpful for characterization of the behavior. The two-directional behaviors of NE-SW and N-S trends were confirmed by the 3-D ratio images. It is therefore, considered that the ERI technique is excellent for imaging contaminated zones as well as monitoring the behaviors of landfill leachate in uncontrolled landfills.

Modified Septic Tank Treatment System

Water pollution is a major global problem. One of the main causes of ground water contamination is the effluent from septic tanks. Treatment of domestic wastewater using conventional septic tank is found to be inefficient leading to increased soil and ground water contamination. It's very important to protect surface and ground water from contamination. So there is a need for improving conventional septic tank. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a modified septic tank system for treating domestic wastewater. Modified septic tank system is a simple means of treating domestic wastewater using the treatment mechanisms such as anaerobic digestion and disinfection. The effect of vertical baffles coupled with an anaerobic reactor on septic tank system was analysed. The reactor selected for the study consists of copper modified zeolite as an adsorbent which will also act as filter media on which attached growth process takes place. The results showed that vertical baffled septic tank(VBST) coupled with zeolite filter shows a good treatment system. The results also showed that vertical baffled septic tank coupled with zeolite filter with disinfection shows a removal of 99.99% total coliforms, 99.57% of TSS, 46.83% Ammonia nitrogen, 31.08% of nitrate nitrogen, 48.39% of total kjeldahl nitrogen, 94.4% of BOD and 71.74% of Phosphates. This study focuses on an economical and efficient decentralized treatment method for treating domestic waste water.

Impact of Ferti‐Irrigation with Vinasse on Groundwater Quality

AbstractVinasse, a residual substance left after sugarcane alcohol distillation, is a mixture of water and organic compounds and can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizers. Some alcohol industries in Mexico have adopted its utilization in the irrigation of sugarcane plantations. If vinasse percolates and reaches the groundwater, microbial degradation of the organic matter produces a sequence of redox reactions in which O2, NO3‐, Mn (IV), Fe (III), SO42‐ and CO2 are reduced. This causes problems with groundwater quality, because manganese and iron become soluble, causing the water to acquire a brown colour and bad taste. The aim of this study was determine the effect of ferti‐irrigation with vinasse over 50 years in the groundwater quality of an aquifer in east central Mexico. The results shows a shallow groundwater table (14 m) in the area where vinasse is used. The results also show reduction of oxygen, nitrate reduction and manganese reduction where vinasse is used for ferti‐irrigation. In fact, some wells exceed the maximum permissible limit for manganese established by Mexican standards. The primary cause of groundwater contamination is attributed to the dissolution of the manganese present in the soil, during the oxidation of organic matter introduced to the aquifer by deep percolation of irrigation water with vinasse. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Condition assessment survey of onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDSs) in Hawaii.

Onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDSs) are the third leading cause of groundwater contamination in the USA. The existing condition of OSDSs in the State of Hawaii was investigated to determine whether a mandatory management program should be implemented. Based on observed conditions, OSDSs were differentiated into four categories: 'pass', 'sludge scum', 'potential failure' and 'fail'. Of all OSDSs inspected, approximately 68% appear to be in good working condition while the remaining 32% are failing or are in danger of failing. Homeowner interviews found that 80% of OSDSs were not being serviced in any way. About 70% of effluent samples had values of total-N and total-P greater than typical values and 40% had total suspended solids (TSS) and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) greater than typical values. The performance of aerobic treatment units (ATUs) was no better than septic tanks and cesspools indicating that the State's approach of requiring but not enforcing maintenance contracts for ATUs is not working. In addition, effluent samples from OSDSs located in drinking water wells estimated 2-year capture zones had higher average concentrations of TSS, BOD5, and total-P than units outside of these zones, indicating the potential for contamination. These findings suggest the need to introduce a proactive, life-cycle OSDS management program in the State of Hawaii.

부산 수영구 지하철 터널에서의 지하수 유출이 주변 지하수에 미치는 영향

This study carried out several kinds of investigations such as geology, hydrogeology, groundwater level and quality, surface-water quality, and the quantity and quality of groundwater discharge from the subway to identify the causes of groundwater contamination around the subway tunnel at Suyeong District in Busan City. Geostatistical analyses were also conducted to understand the characteristics of groundwater level and quality distributions. There are Kwanganri Beach and Suyeong River in the study area, which are basically influenced by seawater. The total quantities of groundwater utilization and groundwater discharge from the subway tunnel in Suyeong District are 2,282,000 <TEX>$m^3$</TEX>/year, which is 2.4 times larger than the sustainable development yield of groundwater. The lowest groundwater level around the subway tunnel is about 32 m below the mean sea-level. The large drawdown of groundwater led to the inflow of seawater and salinized river water toward the subway tunnel, and therefore the quality of groundwater didn't satisfy the criteria of potable, domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. Distribution maps of groundwater level and qualities produced by kriging were very useful for determining the causes of groundwater contamination in the study area. The distribution maps of electrical conductivity, chloride and sulfate showed the extent of seawater intrusion and the forceful infiltration of the salinized Suyeong River. This study revealed that seawater and salinized river water infiltrated into the inland groundwater and contaminated the groundwater around the subway tunnel, because the groundwater level was seriously drawdowned by groundwater discharge from the subway tunnel. The countermeasure for the minimization of groundwater discharge from the subway tunnel is necessary to prevent the groundwater obstacles such as groundwater depletion, groundwater-quality deterioration, and land subsidence.

Proving Whether or Not Contamination is Caused by Oil and Gas Operations

Oil and gas development is becoming increasingly controversial in the U.S., in part because of uncertainty about the causes of groundwater contamination in active gas fields. Debates about whether contamination is caused specifically by hydraulic fracturing and whether gas wells should be regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act rage, but without the relatively rare smoking gun, the question whether oil and gas development has caused contamination evades both scientific and legal determinations. The inability to determine causation is a problem that fuels public distrust of government and industry and deserves a serious effort to solve.In 2010, 2,682 wells were drilled in Pennsylvania, about 500 more than in Colorado’s Garfield County. Home to the Piceance Basin, Garfield County’s natural gas boom commenced in about 2004. That year, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) permitted 796 wells in Garfield County -- a number that climbed steadily to 2,888 by 2008, the peak year to date. Whereas oil and gas development was previously concentrated offshore and in more confined parts of the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountains, it is now occurring in more heavily populated areas such as Pennsylvania. Although the industry sparked controversy in its traditional territory, the volume of the public opposition has increased as development has invaded more populous regions and much of this controversy is fueled by concerns about water quality.During a 2009 public hearing on the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement on oil and gas development, protesters in New York City held anti-development signs, interrupted official presentations and were escorted out of the venue. The New York legislature imposed a moratorium in November 2010 in order to allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to better study modern oil and gas development techniques, and federal legislators from New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado have called for federal regulation of the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process under the auspices of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Some of the reasons that oil and gas development is so controversial are that it is an industrial activity that is allowed under common law to encroach upon residential areas where it causes nuisance noise, odor and pollution. But it is also implicated in instances of ambient groundwater contamination that have not been fully resolved. This lack of resolution serves as a rallying cry for anti-development groups, and results partly from failures to adequately address issues of causation and proof. Public pressure, in turn, has spawned legislative proposals such as the so-called FRAC Act.

Geochemical evaluation of groundwater quality in selected areas of Hyderabad, A.P., India

This paper examines the quality of groundwater in a 40 sq km region comprising Osmania University and surrounding areas in the north eastern part of Hyderabad city in India. 171 groundwater samples from bore wells in the region have been analyzed for ionic concentrations of K + , Na + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , F - , Cl - , SO 4 2- , HCO 3 - and NO 3 2- . Parameters such as pH, total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), residual carbonate (RC), electrical conductance (EC) and groundwater quality index (GWQI) have been evaluated, contoured and analyzed to determine the areas of contaminated groundwater. It is inferred from Wilcox plot and Piper trilinear diagram, the samples in the study area falls under C3S1 class and characterized by alkaline. It was found the groundwater in the entire region is too hard for drinking. Groundwater contamination in the study area is attributable to different sources; in the southern part of the study area, it is due to proximity to the river Musi that acts as a carrier of domestic and industrial effluents. In and around Nacharam and Mallapur, the effluents discharged from the several industries are responsible for polluting the groundwater in the region. Regions such as Jamai Osmania, Lallaguda and Lalapet are very densely populated and it is the domestic sewage in this area that is the primary cause of groundwater contamination.