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A study on the role of hydrogeology on the distribution of uranium in alluvial aquifers of northwest India

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Abstract

A study was undertaken to decipher the uranium distribution in relation to a number of hydrogeological factors in groundwater of southwest Punjab. Existing geological information for the region suggests that the shallow alluvial aquifer extends up to 50–70 m below ground level (bgl) and is in turn underlain by a deeper aquifer which extends to a depth of 250 m bgl. The presence of clayey units limits the vertical mixing of groundwater between the shallow and deep aquifers. Water level data (averaged over 5 years period) indicates that the south and southwestern regions of the study area have shallow water levels (3–5 m bgl) while the north and northeast regions have deep water levels (20–28 m bgl). This difference in water levels is found to be increasing with time. Higher concentrations of uranium occur in the central, southern, and southwestern parts of the study area where the water table occurs at shallow depth. Groundwater in the northern and northeastern parts of the study area shows U concentration within permissible levels for potable use (< 30 μg/L) while the highest concentration of U (341 μg/L) was found in the central part of the study area. Seasonal variation in dissolved U concentration is found to be statistically significant. The observed increases in U concentrations during the post-monsoon season are due to the addition of bicarbonate from the root zone as well as increased dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and sulphate concentration (oxic condition) in the groundwater while the decrease in U concentration is attributed to quick recharge by precipitation through sand dunes and contribution of surface water. Deeper groundwater does not show much seasonal variation in dissolved U concentration. Correlation between U and other hydrochemical parameters was evaluated. Cluster analysis of the data also indicates the oxidative mobilization of U from the sediments. Based on the lithological, hydrogeological, and dissolved U data, a schematic map is prepared depicting the various factors affecting the U distribution in alluvial aquifers, which can also be applied to other regions of similar hydrogeological setup.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the constant support and encouragement by Dr. U.K. Sinha, Head, Isotope Hydrology Section; Shri K.S.S.Sarma, Head, Isotope and Radiation Application Division; and Dr. B.S. Tomar, former Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The authors would also like to thank the Water Resources Bhawan, Department of Irrigation, Chandigarh, Punjab, for providing the lithological data and Dr. Thilagavathi, Researcher, Annamalai University of Tamil Nadu for preparing lithological section maps.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Department of Atomic Energy, and the Government of India (letter no. 35/14/11/2014-BRNS-193)

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Diana Anoubam Sharma & Madhuri S. Rishi

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

    Tirumalesh Keesari & Diksha Pant

  3. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India

    Tirumalesh Keesari

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  1. Diana Anoubam Sharma
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Correspondence to Tirumalesh Keesari.

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Research highlights

• There is a good correlation between spatial and temporal trends in water levels and dissolved U concentration.

• Changes in the concentration of U in shallow groundwater during the post-monsoon season are controlled by geomorphological features like sand dunes and canal networks.

• The seasonal variations in dissolved U concentration were found to be statistically significant.

• Seasonal and spatial fluctuations of U concentrations were more dominant in shallow groundwater than in deep groundwater.

• Hydraulic interaction between shallow and deep aquifers seems to be unlikely.

• Bicarbonate, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and sulphate are potential factors facilitating U mobilization in groundwater.

• A conceptual diagram depicting the processes/factors controlling the U occurrence in alluvial aquifers is presented.

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Sharma, D.A., Keesari, T., Rishi, M.S. et al. A study on the role of hydrogeology on the distribution of uranium in alluvial aquifers of northwest India. Environ Monit Assess 190, 746 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7112-6

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