GEOSTATISTICAL MODELLING, PLANT UPTAKE AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC IN GANGA BASIN, INDIA

Abstract

Arsenic (As) pollution has become a global concern due to its toxic and carcinogenic nature. Surface water sources are more amenable to pollution; therefore, the usage of groundwater increased rapidly. In order to ensure effective protection of groundwater sources, it is essential to take into account all geogenic and anthropogenic pollutants along with the related activities that may present a potential risk. Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to arsenic hazard may thus be considered a potentially valuable management tool for enabling major decisions on preventive groundwater protection, and there is an urgent need to develop a robust approach for the same. Groundwater vulnerability to geogenic groundwater contamination underlies the complex interplay between various intrinsic geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical characteristics in an aquifer system. Identifying the risks to groundwater quality in this regard is a very engaging process that needs to consider the source and nature of groundwater contamination from the perspective of ongoing external and internal processes within the area/region under study. Arsenic contamination in groundwater has stood out due to its worldwide spread and lethality. It is an established fact that most arsenic sources are predominantly geogenic in nature. Yet, the mechanisms of its mobilization in groundwater appear to be triggered by anthropogenic factors often. However, the propositions are still being debated and are in an ever-evolving stage. Given the above facts, the current work attempted to provide a comprehensive review of the occurrence of arsenic in the subsurface environment, along with the earlier and recent methods involved in groundwater vulnerability assessment, including mathematical, geostatistical, process-based simulation, and machine learning approaches. There are no universally applicable approaches to date, each with pros and cons. The study considered and compared available case studies and highlighted the potential of an integrated/hybrid approach to achieve the best possible outcomes.