Abstract
Arsenic (As) concentration above World Health Organization (WHO) recommended value is reported from either side of Bhagirathi River in lower Ganges delta. Millions of people are living at risk. The study area is located on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River. The database is collected from Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). The study focuses on spatial map**, depth-wise distribution, association with geomorphology, and seasonal variation of As concentration. It is found that about 48.40% of tube wells (N = 1535) have arsenic concentrations above the WHO limit, i.e., >0.01 mg/L. Vertical distribution of arsenic contamination shows 52.77% of samples (N = 1535) within 40–80 m depth are contaminated. At deeper depths (>100 m) the count of contaminated tube well are few; though the magnitude of As concentration is extremely erratic. Seasonal variations study finds that about 70% of samples have to exceed As concentration in the pre-monsoon season. The contaminated tube wells (>0.01 mg/L) are mostly occurring within the meander belt of the Bhagirathi River and have been associated with different floodplain features. The lithological study reveals the Holocene aquifers consisting of grey-coloured younger alluvial deposits of Katwa formation and Present-day deposits are found contaminated; while, Pleistocene aquifers are almost safe.
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Chatterjee, S. (2022). Spatial Pattern of Arsenic Contamination in Floodplain Aquifers, Western Bank of Bhagirathi River, Lower Ganges Delta, West Bengal, India. In: Jana, N.C., Singh, R.B. (eds) Climate, Environment and Disaster in Develo** Countries. Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6966-8_13
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