Geospatial Groundwater Quality Assessment and Identification of Polluted Risky Regions in Jamui District of Bihar with Special Reference to Uranium and Fluoride Concentration

Groundwater is an important source for community water needs. Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping the spatial pollution characteristics helped identifying the potential polluted risky regions in Jamui district that is covering an area of 3098 km2. It is situated between 24023’15” and 25008’30” North Latitude and 85049’30” and 86038’00” East Longitude forming a part of Phalgu-Kiul sub-basin of Ganga Basin. Water quality parameters such as pH, TDS, conductance, DO, ORP, salinity, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, iron, uranium, carbonate, bicarbonate, fluoride, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, etc of 91 samples were assessed as per standard protocol during pre- and post-monsoon. The results indicated that the water quality at several places in the study zone has been found contaminated with higher fluoride concentration that exceeded the permissible limit of BIS and WHO. Statistically16.48% water samples during pre-monsoon and 20.87% during post-monsoon were found seriously contaminated with fluoride concentration. However, the Uranium concentration during pre- and post-monsoon were found well within the prescribed national and international limits but at places it is in borderline and need constant monitoring. A positive correlation of fluoride with pH, total dissolved solid, electrical conductance, salinity, uranium and total alkalinity has been observed during pre-and post- monsoon. These results may provide useful information for control of groundwater pollution and its management in the area.