Comparative analysis of spatial and depth wise distribution of uranium in groundwater of South-west & North-west region of Punjab state, India

High prevalence of uranium (U) in groundwater beyond WHO recommendation limit (30 µg/l) may pose severe health issues associated with kidney, liver and bones as they are prominent sites of uranium deposition. Therefore, regular monitoring of uranium content has gained immense attention at global level because of its potential chemical and radiological toxicity. The relation between uranium contamination in water and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) lead to nephrotoxic effects confirmed by epidemiological and toxicological studies. In this study, a heterogeneous distribution (0.4-1150.82μg/L) and (0.2-128.82μg/L) of uranium concentrations has been observed in the groundwater of south-west and north-west regions of Punjab, respectively. The average uranium concentration was found to be 83.2μg/Land 28.6μg/L for south-west and north-west regions of Punjab, respectively. The high prevalence of uranium concentration in groundwater is only observed in shallow depth (<200ft.), which further decreases with increasing depth. The 86% and 31% samples from south-west and north-west regions of Punjab, respectively, were observed to be above the WHO, 2011 recommended safe limit of 30 µg/L for shallow depth (<200ft.). In parallel, 20% samples from south-west and only 8% samples from north-west region of Punjab are exceeding WHO limit when depth is more than 400ft. The quite high uranium concentration levels observed in groundwater in the SW-Punjab region may primarily be attributed to the region's distinct geomorphology and geochemistry/geo-hydrology of the underlying water table, as well as to the involvement of various anthropogenic activities like the use of chemical fertilizers, extensive extraction of water and water percolating through sewage/domestic waste and other geogenic activities like rock-water interactions. Considering the chemical and radiological toxicity of uranium, it become consequentially important to provide datasets for uranium in groundwater of the study regions to local communities, State and Central government along with organizations such as PGWB, CGWB, BRNS and DAE for the sake of society and ecosystem. (author)