Study of the presence of radioactive element (uranium) in ground water of Central Delhi using LED fluorimetry

Among all the radioactive element Uranium (Atomic no. 92 & atomic mass 238.02 amu) & Thorium are the most abundant on the earth. Uranium contamination in groundwater is an emerging environmental concern due to its toxicological and radiological effects on human health and ecosystems. When uranium enters groundwater systems, it poses risks to drinking water quality, as exposure can lead to kidney damage and increased cancer risks due to uranium's chemical toxicity and low-level radioactivity. This study gives the information about the uranium concentration in 18 groundwater samples collected from different water sources like hand pump and tube wells of different depths from numerous locations of Central Delhi, India. Uranium concentration was measured using the LED fluorimetry technique. The average uranium concentration was examined to assess whether the levels of hazardous materials fell within the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. Additionally, the annual effective dose was calculated for all samples to ensure it remained below the WHO-recommended limit of 100 µSv/year. A risk assessment, including lifetime cancer risk, lifetime average daily dose, and hazard quotient, was also conducted. The elevated uranium concentrations in certain areas were linked to the interaction between groundwater and subsurface. (author)