Arsenic concentration in drinking and irrigation water of Ambagarh Chowki Block, Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh)

Abstract

The environment of Ambagarh Chowki, Rajnandgaon, has reported the high levels of arsenic by many researchers. Long term use of arsenic-contaminated irrigation water could result in arsenic accumulation in the soil and could reach to toxic level of crops. So, keeping it in view the present study was conducted in Ambagarh Chowki block of Rajnandgaon district (Chhattisgarh) to assess the arsenic concentration in water. Water samples were collected from thirteen arsenic contaminated village’s viz. Metepar-Gaulitola, Kaudikasa, Joratarai, Atergaon, Pangri-Keshitola, Biharikala, Arajkund, Jadutola, Magatola, Sangli, Telitola, and Sonsaitola of block Ambagarh Chowki, district Rajnandgaon during pre and post monsoon season of the 2016. The research results showed the arsenic content in hand pumps water was ranged from 18.80 to 230.10 µg L-1 in pre monsoon season and 17.60-230.30 µg L-1 in post monsoon season and found much above the WHO recommended arsenic limit (0.01 mg L-1) for drinking water. Arsenic concentration in tube well water varied from 15.2-329.40 µg L-1 in pre monsoon season and 14.10-330.50 µg L-1 in post monsoon season. Tube well samples of Metepar-Gaulitola-1, Metepar-Gaulitola-2, Metepar-Gaulitola-3, Arajkund-2, Arajkund-3, Biharikala-3, Pangari-Keshitola-1, Pangari-Keshitola-2, Pangari-Keshitola-3, Atargaon-1, Atargaon-3, Sangali-1, Sangali-2, Sangali-3, Telitola-1, Joratarai-2, Jadutola-1, Jadutola-3, Dhatutola-1, Dhatutola-2, Dhatutola-3, Mangatola-1, Mangatola-2, Mangatola-3 and Sonsoitola-3 were only found under the permissible limit (0.10 mg L-1, FAO) for irrigation. In surface water sources (pond and well), arsenic content varied from 1.90-9.20 µg L-1 in pre monsoon and 1.90-8.10 µg L-1 in post monsoon season.