ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN WATER: A CASE STUDY OF SURVEYED DISTRICTS OF BIHAR, INDIARamesh Nath Gupta, Gireesh Chand, Amarendra Kumar, Tribhuwan Kumar, B. K. Vimal , S.B. Sah and T. SahaAbstract Arsenic intake through drinking water for longer duration can cause various health complications in human being. Chronic effects may result from the accumulation of arsenic compounds in the body at low intake levels. Present analysis was conducted to reveal arsenic contamination in water from surveyed districts of Begusarai, Buxar, Katihar, Khagaria, Munger, Samastipur and Saran in Bihar. Water samples were collected from nearby basin of river the Ganges and the Gandak mainly. Detection of presences of arsenic in the water sample was done from different sites with the help of Field Test Kit (FTK). Later on water samples having considerable amount of arsenic concentration were brought in water testing laboratory, PHED, Patna for further confirmation. Four thousand four hundred fifteen (4415) samples were found to contain more concentration of arsenic than that of permissible limit out of tested Total six thousand ninety eight (6098) samples through Ultra Violet Spectrophotometer. Water samples having more arsenic concentration than that of permissible limit were found highest in Saran (77%) while lowest in Begusarai district (56%). Arsenic concentration (> 120 ppb) was found in one thousand four hundred ninety five (1495) samples i.e. 24.5% of total tested water samples which was observed highest in Munger district (47.4%) followed by Saran (46.3%), Buxar (31.5%), Katihar (25.6%), Khagaria (19.6%), Begusarai (17.5%) and Samastipur (12.7%). These analysed samples revealed the arsenic contamination in water sources in seven districts of the Bihar. Research finding indicates that there is need to adopt mitigation strategy in vulnerable zones for safer life of inhabitants.
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