Arsenic in groundwater, agricultural soil and crops of Sahibganj in the middle Gangetic plain: A potential threat to food security and health

摘要

Groundwater, agricultural soil and crops of Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, on the middle Gangetic basin of India was analysed for arsenic (As) concentrations to study the soil to plant transfer and associated health risks in human. Physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater and soil were studied to understand the probable release mechanism. Results indicated groundwater to be Ca-HCO_3 type with low redox potential and high TDS. Arsenic varied between 1-133 μg/L in groundwater and 33 to 902 μg/kg in soil. Positive correlation was observed between As with depth, PO_4~(3-) and Fe in groundwater and Fe and clay fraction of soil suggesting reductive dissolution mechanism of Fe (hydr)oxides the probable mechanism of As release. Considerable accumulation of As was seen in spinach (0.35 μg/kg), onion (0.32 μg/kg) and wheat grains (0.30 μg/kg). Health risk assessment revealed high carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk for both adults and children.