In the heart of Eastern India, a critical issue is brewing beneath the surface. Groundwater, the lifeblood of agriculture and drinking water supplies, is under siege from contamination and overuse, particularly in regions dominated by mining activities. A recent study, published in the journal ‘Discover Water’ (translated to English as ‘Exploring Water’), sheds light on the severity of the situation and offers a multifaceted approach to assess and address the problem.
Led by Suvankar Naskar from the Department of Geography & Resource Management at Mizoram University, the research focuses on a vast area of 29,196 km² in Eastern India’s mining region. The study, which analyzed 60 water samples collected during the Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon, and Post-Monsoon seasons of 2022 and 2023, reveals a stark reality: the groundwater in this region is largely unsuitable for drinking and poses significant challenges for agricultural use.
The novelty of Naskar’s research lies in its integration of various techniques to assess groundwater quality. “We employed a combination of GIS-based fuzzy Groundwater Quality Index (GFGWQI), Traditional Groundwater Quality Index (TGWQI), and the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI),” Naskar explains. Additionally, the team calculated the Groundwater Hazardous Index (GWHI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HMPI) to gauge the extent of contamination.
The findings are alarming. According to the NSFWQI, the entire region’s groundwater is unsafe for drinking, except for a few isolated pockets. The GWHI reveals that 17.70% of the region falls under the “Most Moderate to Worst hazardous Zone.” Hydrostatistical analysis using Magnesium Hazard (MH), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Wilcox Diagram, and Piper Diagram indicates that while the groundwater is suitable for irrigation, it belongs to the bicarbonate cum chloride category and has low sodium but high salinity hazards, making it unsuitable for drinking.
The study also highlights the role of anthropogenic factors in groundwater contamination. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with an overall variance of 68.14% underscores the impact of human activities, particularly mining and industrial processes, on groundwater quality.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the energy sector, which relies heavily on groundwater for various operations. The findings underscore the need for robust water management strategies to ensure sustainable use of this vital resource. Policymakers can leverage the insights from this study to implement measures that protect groundwater quality, thereby safeguarding public health and agricultural productivity.
Naskar’s research is a call to action for stakeholders to prioritize groundwater conservation and contamination control. “Our multifaceted approach provides a comprehensive understanding of groundwater quality in the Subarnarekha basin mining belt,” Naskar states. “This knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate contamination and ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources.”
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, studies like Naskar’s offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between human activities and environmental health. By integrating advanced techniques and innovative methodologies, researchers can pave the way for sustainable solutions that protect our planet’s most precious resources. The publication of this research in ‘Discover Water’ further emphasizes the global relevance and urgency of addressing groundwater contamination, particularly in regions heavily impacted by industrial activities.