Chemical characteristics of arsenic contaminated groundwater in parts of middle-gangetic plain (mgp) in bihar, india

Abstract

Groundwater is the primary source of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses in many countries. Water resources of good quality are becoming an important issue being vital to health, safety and socio-economic development of man. The rising demands for hygienic water often cannot be met by surface water supplies. This has led to increased dependence on groundwater resources in many parts of the world. Hence suitable quantity and quality of groundwater become a more crucial alternative resource to meet the drastic increase in social and agricultural development and to avoid the expected deterioration of groundwater quality due to heavy abstraction for miscellaneous uses. Water quality and its management have received added attention in developing countries. Further intensive use for irrigation makes groundwater a critical resource for human activities. Thus water remains the principal driver for development in South Asia.