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Spatial trends in uranium distribution in groundwaters of Southwest Punjab, India - A hydrochemical perspective

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Abstract

A hydrochemical study was undertaken in uranium impacted districts of southwest Punjab for evaluating the spatial and vertical trends as well as correlations with other hydrochemical parameters. Results infer that U is present in all samples (12.2–621 µg l−1) and 90% are contaminated. Contour diagram depicts contamination in entire region excepting some pockets in central part of the study area. Shallow zones (<50 m bgl) show higher U compared to deeper ones. Hydrochemistry infers a common source of U for both shallow and deep zones and alkalinity as the governing factor for U mobilization from the sediments.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India for providing the necessary financial support to carry out this work (Letter No. 35/14/11/2014-BRNS-193). Authors sincerely acknowledge the constant support and encouragement by Shri K.S.S. Sarma, Head, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. Special thanks to scholars from Dept. of Environment Studies, Panjab University for the help and co-operation rendered during the sample collection and analysis. We thank anonymous reviewers for helping to improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Madhuri S. Rishi & Diana A. Sharma

  2. Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    Tirumalesh Keesari, Diksha Pant & Uday K. Sinha

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  1. Madhuri S. Rishi
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Correspondence to Tirumalesh Keesari.

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Rishi, M.S., Keesari, T., Sharma, D.A. et al. Spatial trends in uranium distribution in groundwaters of Southwest Punjab, India - A hydrochemical perspective. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 311, 1937–1945 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5178-1

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