Study of uranium toxicity using low-background gamma-ray spectrometry

Saha

et al. 2022

Preprint

Groundwater played a pivotal role in the social and economic development of the Malwa Region. With the advent of the green revolution, water for irrigation and domestic use led to the development of groundwater resources. Slowly, the green revolution changed into a greed revolution, and the exploitation of groundwater resources converted into their overexploitation. Groundwater's overexploitation not only led to groundwater depletion but also led to a change in the chemistry of the Malwa region's aquifers. Researchers from academia and institutions worked and published their findings of the uranium and arsenic contaminations in the Malwa region of Punjab. In this article, we are the first to bring all the dispersed data to one commonplace. By studying the physicochemical parameters of groundwater of all districts of the Malwa region and their correlation, this paper is going to highlight the various chemical reactions occurring in the Malwa region's aquifer and how they impact groundwater chemistry. For understanding, we devised a hypothetical model to understand the complex interplay of this region's natural dynamics of groundwater aquifers. Finally, we tried to describe how the various chemical changes in the groundwater aquifer can be the reason for the mobilization of arsenic and uranium by making schematic chemical flow-charts of their mobilization. This article aims to highlight the importance of using a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental approach to comprehending the complex problem of groundwater management.

Section: The Effect Of the Green Revolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical review on uranium and arsenic content and their chemical mobilization in the groundwater: A case study of the Malwa region Punjab, India

Saha

et al. 2022

Preprint

“…Chemotoxic and radiotoxic uranium (U) species are accumulated in soil from U-containing rocks such as slate and granite, while abandoned U mines could also heavily contribute to soil U contamination [27]. The large-scale contamination of groundwater with U in India was primarily geogenic via the formation of soluble complexes of uranyl carbonate following the weathering of parent rocks [28,29]. Emerging organic contaminants such as antibiotics and PFAS can also reach soil via biosolids from wastewater treatment plants [16].…”

Section: Role Of Soils In the Disposition Of Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of soils in the disposition, sequestration and decontamination of environmental contaminants

Sarkar

Mukhopadhyay

Ramanayaka

et al. 2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Soil serves as both a ‘source’ and ‘sink’ for contaminants. As a source, contaminants are derived from both ‘geogenic’ and ‘anthropogenic’ origins. Typically, while some of the inorganic contaminants including potentially toxic elements are derived from geogenic origin (e.g. arsenic and selenium) through weathering of parent materials, the majority of organic (e.g. pesticides and microplastics) as well as inorganic (e.g. lead, cadmium) contaminants are derived from anthropogenic origin. As a sink, soil plays a critical role in the transformation of these contaminants and their subsequent transfer to environmental compartments, including groundwater (e.g. pesticides), surface water (phosphate and nitrate), ocean (e.g. microplastics) and atmosphere (e.g. nitrous oxide emission). A complex transformation process of contaminants in soil involving adsorption, precipitation, redox reactions and biodegradation control the mobility, bioavailability and environmental toxicity of these contaminants. Soil also plays a major role in the decontamination of contaminants, and the ‘cleaning’ action of soil is controlled primarily by the physico-chemical interactions of contaminants with various soil components, and the biochemical transformations facilitated by soil microorganisms. In this article, we examine the geogenic and anthropogenic sources of contaminants reaching the soil, and discuss the role of soil in the sequestration and decontamination of contaminants in relation to various physico-chemical and microbial transformation reactions of contaminants with various soil components. Finally, we propose future actions that would help to maintain the role of soils in protecting the environment from contaminants and delivering sustainable development goals. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People’.

“…Thus comparison have been made of agricultural sites with the undisturbed (uncultivated) areas. In recent years, many studies have been carried out to study the behaviour of natural radionuclides in surface soil [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. However studies are quite scarce on the vertical distribution of natural radionuclides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical Distribution and Radiological Risk Assessment of Natural Radionuclides in the Alluvial Soil Profile of South-west Punjab, India

Bala

Das

Karanveer

et al. 2022

Preprint

Natural radionuclide levels are studied along the soil profile of alluvial sediments. Eighteen soil profiles have been selected from agricultural soil and undisturbed (uncultivated) areas and gamma-ray spectrophotometer has been used for the analysis. Vertical distribution of radionuclide was evaluated up to the depth of 900cm and levels were found to significantly vary with depth. Higher radionuclide levels are observed in the agricultural sites than the undisturbed land area till the depth interval of 600cm and values are comparable at both the sites after this depth, indicating the role of anthropogenic activities on radionuclide enrichment in agricultural areas. However, the value is higher than the global average at all sites, indicating the geogenic presence of radionuclides. Elemental ratio and multi-statistical analysis are utilized to assess the behaviour of radionuclides involved. Radiological hazard risk assesment is carried out and levels exceed the permissible limit which is a matter of concern for public health.