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Distribution of uranium in groundwaters of Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab, India: inferences from an isotope hydrochemical study

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Abstract

This paper presents the isotope hydrochemical results of groundwaters from southwest Punjab for assessing the uranium contamination and evaluating the factors leading to elevated uranium concentration. A total of 35 samples covering shallow and deep zones were collected for hydrochemistry and isotopes. Uranium concentration ranges between 2.3 and 357 µg L−1 and 66% of the samples are contaminated. Both shallow and deep zones show U contamination but high incidences are noticed in shallow zone. Hydrochemical correlations infer geological sources rather than anthropogenic sources responsible for U contamination. Isotopically there is no clear distinction between high and low U groundwater.

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Acknowledgements

Authors sincerely acknowledge the constant support and encouragement by Shri K. S. S. Sarma, Head, Isotope and Radiation Application Division and Dr. B. S. Tomar, Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The authors would like to acknowledge the BRNS, DAE for providing the financial support (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 A. Sharma, Madhuri S. Rishi, Rakhi Singh & Nandini Thakur

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

    Tirumalesh Keesari, Diksha Pant & Uday K. Sinha

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  1. Diana A. Sharma
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Correspondence to Tirumalesh Keesari.

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Sharma, D.A., Rishi, M.S., Keesari, T. et al. Distribution of uranium in groundwaters of Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab, India: inferences from an isotope hydrochemical study. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 313, 625–633 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5288-9

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