Journal of Environmental Biology

Evaluation of potable groundwater quality in some villages of Adilabad

in  Andhra Pradesh, India

 

Author Details

 

M.A. Rasheed

(Corresponding author)

Microbiology Laboratory,  National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500007, India

e-mail: rasheedmicro@rediffmail.com

B. Anu Radha

Microbiology Laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad - 500 606,India

P. L. Srinivasa Rao

Microbiology Laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad - 500 606,India

M. Lakshmi

Microbiology Laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad - 500 606,India

J. Bala Chennaiah

Microbiology Laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad - 500 606,India

A.M.Dayal

Microbiology Laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad - 500 606,India

 

 

 

Publication Data

Paper received:

28  August 2010

 

Revised received:

19  July 2011

 

Accepted:

06 August 2011

 

Abstract

Reconnaissance hydrochemical survey was conducted in some villages of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh to assess the quality of groundwater, which is mainly used for drinking purpose. The study consists of the determination of physico-chemical properties, trace metals, heavy metals and rare earth elements in water samples. The data showed the variation of the investigated parameters in samples as follows: pH 6.92 to 8.32, EC 192 to 2706 µS cm^-1, TDS 129.18 to 1813.02 ppm. The pH of the waters was within the permissible limits whereas EC and TDS were above the permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO). Total 27 elements (Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se,  Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba and Pb) were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The concentration of elements in water samples ranged between 0.063 to 0.611 mg l^-1 for B, 11.273 to 392 mg l^-1 for  Na,  5.871 to 77.475 mg l^-1 for Mg, 0.035 to 1.905 mg l^-1 for  Al, 0.752 to 227.893 mg l^-1 for  K, 11.556 to 121.655 mg l^-1 for Ca and 0.076 to 0.669 mg l^-1 for Fe respectively. The concentrations of Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, and Fe exceeded the permissible limits of  WHO and BIS guidelines for drinking water quality. In the present study, Bhimavaram, Kazipalli, Kannepalli and Chennur areas of the Adilabad are especially prone to geogenic contamination. Overall water quality was found unsatisfactory for drinking purposes.  

 

Key words

Trace metals, Heavy metals, Rare earth elements, ICPMS, Water quality 

 

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