IISc devises way to purify groundwater
New Delhi, June 12
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a remediation process for removing heavy metals such as arsenic and iron from groundwater.
The 2023 report of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has stated that 113 districts in 21 states have arsenic levels above 0.01 mg per litre while 223 districts in 23 states have fluoride levels above 1.5 mg per litre, which are beyond the permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and WHO.
The researchers have devised a three-step plan, which involves separation of arsenic from the contaminated water using a bed of biodegradable absorbent, before the metal being taken to the critical third step—bioremediation—the process of reducing the concentration of pollutants. In the third phase, the concentration of metals is reduced.
