A STUDY AND EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN BATHINDA DISTRICT OF PUNJAB, INDIATamanna and N.C. GuptaAbstract This study investigates the groundwater quality and determination of heavy metals in the groundwater of Bathinda district of Punjab. The groundwater quality was evaluated using water samples collected from 15 locations of Bathinda district during July 2022. The samples were analysed for the parameters pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Salinity, Chloride, Calcium and Heavy metals content such as Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Nickel, Iron. The results of the above analysis suggested that in the majority of locations EC, TDS, TH and Pb were found to be above the acceptable range as prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking purposes. TDS and TH levels were found to exceed the acceptable limit given by BIS in 93.3% of the samples. Cd, Cr, Ni levels were found to be below the permissible limit of BIS. Statistical analysis for heavy metals showed asymmetrical distribution in the studied area. High concentration of Lead and Iron warrants to identify and investigate the natural and anthropogenic sources that are responsible for heavy metal distribution in groundwater. Therefore, it can be concluded from the study that the groundwater quality of Bathinda district is majorly contaminated with Lead and Iron. Overall, the groundwater quality is found to be unsatisfactory and long-term use of such water for human consumption could trigger serious threat to human health. |