Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater of Punjab - An Overview
Abstract
Groundwater is a common pool resource for drinking and irrigation purposes
in Punjab and can be drawn on demand wherever and whenever needed. Pollution by various
toxic chemicals is posing a great problem nowadays and contamination of arsenic in
groundwater is estimated to affect various parts of the country especially near the gangetic
fluvial plains of India including Punjab. As is found to be carcinogenic, As(III) is more toxic
than As(IV). In this study, overview of the contamination of arsenic in groundwater of Punjab
is studied. It is found that a number of areas have been affected with As contamination that
exceeds the standard given in BIS(2012). Being an agricultural state it becomes even more
important to identify and curb the problem of As contamination in Punjab.
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