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Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes in arsenic-contaminated alluvial aquifers in parts of Mid-Ganga Basin, Bihar, Eastern India

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Abstract

The study region covers 1,650 km2 of the Mid-Ganga Basin in Bihar, experiencing intensive groundwater draft. The area forms a part of the Gangetic alluvial plain where high incidence of arsenic groundwater contamination (>50 μg/l) has recently been detected. Seventy-seven groundwater samples have been collected and analysed for major ions, iron and arsenic. Arsenic contamination (max 620 μg/l) is confined in hand pump zones (15–35 m) within the newer alluvium deposited during Middle Holocene to Recent age. The older alluvial aquifers are arsenic-safe and recorded maximum concentration as 9 μg/l. Out of 12 hydrochemical facies identified, four have been found arsenic-affected: Ca–HCO3, Mg–HCO3, Ca–Mg–HCO3 and Mg–Ca–HCO3. The geochemical evolution of groundwater, as investigated by graphical interpretation and statistical techniques (correlation, principal component analysis) revealed that dissolution of detrital calcite, dolomite and infiltration of rainwater are the major processes shaping the groundwater chemistry in the newer alluvium. Arsenic and iron showed strong positive correlation. Rainfall infiltration, carrying organic matter from recently accumulated biomass from this flood-prone belt, plays a critical role in releasing arsenic and iron present in the sediments. Geochemical evolution of groundwater in older alluvium follows a different path, where cation-exchange has been identified as a significant process.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are obliged to the Chairman and Member (SM&L) Central Ground water Board for their help. They thank PC Chandra and Anindya Sarkar for advice. The valuable opinion and suggestions from NC Ghose is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Ground Water Board, Mid Eastern Region, 6th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Patna, 800001, India

    Dipankar Saha, Shailendra N. Dwivedi & Kuldeep G. Bhartariya

  2. Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai, 600090, India

    Sreehari S. Sarangam

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  1. Dipankar Saha
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Correspondence to Dipankar Saha.

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Saha, D., Sarangam, S.S., Dwivedi, S.N. et al. Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes in arsenic-contaminated alluvial aquifers in parts of Mid-Ganga Basin, Bihar, Eastern India. Environ Earth Sci 61, 799–811 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0392-y

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