Critical review on uranium and arsenic content and their chemical mobilization in groundwater: A case study of the Malwa region Punjab, India

Vajinder Kumar; Arnab Maity; Avneesh Kumar; Sandip Saha; Paul Kay; Baljinder Singh; Tirtha Mukherjee

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163885

Critical review on uranium and arsenic content and their chemical mobilization in groundwater: A case study of the Malwa region Punjab, India

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 10:885:163885. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163885. Epub 2023 May 3.

Authors

Vajinder Kumar¹, Arnab Maity², Avneesh Kumar³, Sandip Saha⁴, Paul Kay⁵, Baljinder Singh⁶, Tirtha Mukherjee⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, India. Electronic address: vajinder_chm@auts.ac.in.
² Department of Chemistry, SRM University, 5(th) Mile, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
³ Department of Botany, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Nabadwip Vidyasagar College, West Bengal, India.
⁵ School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
⁶ Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, India.

PMID: 37146810
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163885

Abstract

The presence of pollutants like uranium and arsenic in the groundwater can have a terrible impact on people's health (both radiologically and toxicologically) and their economic conditions. Their infiltration into groundwater can occur through geochemical reactions, natural mineral deposits, mining and ore processing. Governments and scientists are working to address these issues, and significant progress has been achieved, but it's challenging to deal with and mitigate without adequately understanding the different chemical processes and the mobilization mechanism of these hazardous chemicals. Most of the articles and reviews have focused on the particular form of contaminants and specific sources of pollution, such as fertilizers. However, no literature report exists explaining why particular forms appear and the possible basis of their chemical origins. Hence, in this review, we tried to answer the various questions by devising a hypothetical model and chemical schematic flowcharts for the chemical mobilization of arsenic and uranium in groundwater. An effort has been made to explain how chemical seepage and excessive groundwater use resulted in the change in aquifers' chemistry, as evidenced by their physicochemical parameters and heavy metal analysis. Many technological advancements have taken place to mitigate these issues. Still, in low-middle-income countries, especially in the Malwa region of Punjab, also known as Punjab's cancer belt, paying a high amount for installing and maintaining these technologies is an unviable option. In addition to working to improve people's access to sanitary facilities and clean water to drink, the policy-level intervention would focus on increasing community awareness and continued research on developing better and more economical technologies. Our designed model/chemical flowcharts will help policymakers and researchers better understand the problems and alleviate their effects. Moreover, these models can be utilized in other parts of the globe where similar questions exist. This article emphasises the value of understanding the intricate issue of groundwater management through a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental approach.

Keywords: Arsenic; Chemical mobilization; Groundwater; Hydrogeochemistry; Uranium.

Publication types

Review