Use of Geohydrological Controls to Tackle Geogenic Arsenic Contamination of Hard Rock Aquifer: A Case Study from Central India

Abstract

Abstract

Arsenic poisoning of potable groundwater is considered one of the most severe health hazard in recent years. Reporting of high geogenic arsenic contamination in groundwater is increasing day by day within the country. The hydrothermal phase following the batholithic intrusion is responsible for sulfide mineralization and related enrichment of Arsenic (As) concentration in the granite-meta rhyolite rocks along the Kotri lineament of central India. Isolated clusters of high As groundwater were found in an area of 10 km radius, where groundwater is the only source of available water. Global literature review on occurrence of high arsenic reveals that even in severely contaminated geochemical area not all source have high arsenic thus, controls play important role. The structural, lithological and geochemical control on occurrence of high As groundwater along the Kotri lineament of central India has been identified. Applying the identified controls, DSS is generated on GIS platform to delineate the low arsenic areas for safe source wells. The relatively younger intrusive basic rocks, which occupy nearly 28% of the geographical area, have invariably low As concentration in groundwater. These controls were applied for delineation of As free aquifers and in-situ relief through microlevel management for providing safe drinking water which is sustainable. The method is found cost effective and suitable for remotely located, rural area over other remediation methods. Artificial recharge to groundwater through gravity head recharge well can be effectively used for dilution of As contamination, for which the source water can be harvested rain water.