GSI project to assess groundwater contamination by arsenic, heavy metals

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is undertaking a project to assess the level of contamination by arsenic, heavy metals like uranium and selenium and microplastic contaminants in parts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts of Punjab.

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The objective of the project is to identify suitable groundwater aquifers and surface water sources for contamination analysis and to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in the surface and groundwater and identify potential zones of contamination.

The two-year research study from 2024-2026 is covering a total area of 1,285 sq km and involves comprehensive and systematic sampling of surface and groundwater in two phases: pre-monsoon and post-monsoon to assess the spatial distribution of the contaminants and pollutants.

The region features thick and high-yielding aquifers at depths ranging from 30m to 120m below ground level. The co-existence and potential synergistic effects of arsenic and microplastics in polluted aquatic systems in the Indian subcontinent remain unexplored, according to the GSI.

The researchers will also explore the hydrological processes and identify the geogenic and anthropogenic sources of the contamination through various chemical processes, besides evaluating the extent of microplastic contamination in surface and groundwater and investigating the factors affecting its dynamics.

Arsenic, according to experts, is a hazardous substance that can cause acute and chronic health problems. Prolonged exposure to arsenic-contaminated groundwater leads to chronic issues like pigmentation, neuropathy, developmental disabilities, decreased IQ and cancer.

In Punjab, 13 districts are affected by groundwater arsenic contamination, GSI’s concept paper states. Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Mansa and Rupnagar districts have exhibited arsenic levels surpassing the permissible limit set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Microplastics have raised concerns due to potential adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. These can act as vectors for heavy metals due to their large surface area and physical properties.

Toxicological assessment of combined effects of microplastics and absorbed heavy metals has attracted significant attention worldwide, but their occurrence and interaction in groundwater systems of the Indian subcontinent remain largely underexplored despite India’s heavy reliance on groundwater to support its agrarian population, according to the GSI.