Published in Proceedings of National seminar on Hydrology with focal theme on Water

Quality held at National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee during Nov 22-23, 2004.

Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater of North Eastern

India
A.K. Singh
Associate Professor and Adviser (Soil & Water Testing Lab & Microbiology Lab)
North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management
Tezpur-784027, Assam (India)
singh_ak30@hotmail.com/@rediffmail.com/@sancharnet.in
Abstract
Groundwater arsenic contamination and sufferings of people have been reported in 20
countries in different parts of the world. The magnitude is considered highest in five Asian
countries and the severity is in order of Bangladesh>India>Mangolia>China>Taiwan. In all
these countries, more and more groundwater withdrawal is taking place because of increase
in agricultural irrigation. In India after West Bengal and the bordering districts of
Bangladesh, arsenic in groundwater was detected in part of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura.
Maximum arsenic content was observed in Jorhat (Titabor, Dhakgorah, Selenghat and
Moriani Block), Dhemaji (Sissiborgoan and Dhemaji Block), Golaghat district (Podumani
Block) and Lakhimpur (Boginodi, Lakhimpur Block) in Assam; West Tripura (Triania Block),
Dhalai (Salema Block) and North Tripura (Dharmanagar Block) districts in Tripura, Thuobal
(Kakching Block) in Manipur and Dibang valley (Midland) in Arunachal Pradesh. The
groundwater of these blocks of five states is affected with arsenic contamination. A long-term
environmental planning is essential to blunt the danger from such pollution.
Introduction
In the North Eastern region of India, natural springs and dug wells are the only cost effective
and viable means of fulfilling the needs of freshwater for present population. In hilly areas,
most of the drinking water is used to be harnessed from rivers, ponds and natural springs.
Many springs are reportedly becoming seasonal. In valleys, most of the domestic water is
harnessed from groundwater through shallow tubewells and dug wells. Availability of
drinking water in summers is severely marred and the overall quality is questionable.
Information on groundwater quality of North Eastern India is scanty. Available literature
shows that groundwater of Assam valleys are highly ferruginous (Aowal 1981). The incidence
of high fluoride in groundwater of Karbi Anglong and Nagoan district of Assam and its
manifestation in the form of fluorosis were already (Akoijan 1997, Sengupta, 1999, Sushella
2001) reported. These alarming pictures of the water quality in the region and continuous
consumption of this water has the potential of posing serious health hazard to the local
population. The observation warrants an extensive and exhaustive study to identify the

contamination sites both from the standpoint of protecting public health and preserving the
natural resources.
Recognizing the enormity and severity of the problem, groundwater quality survey was
conducted for the entire north eastern region to identify the suitability or otherwise of
groundwater quality for drinking purposes. Under this project, random samples of water were
collected from various states in the region. It was observed from the analysis of the samples
that arsenic, iron and fluoride contamination in predominant in few of the states of NE
Region. No study was conducted earlier to explore the presence of arsenic in groundwater of
North Eastern India. This paper reports the present status of the arsenic in groundwater of NE
Region.
Material and Methods
The ground water samples were drawn from both bore wells and open wells (up to 120ft)
during post-monsoon period of year 2003 from 1500 location in Assam, 296 locations in
Arunachal Pradesh, 182 locations in Meghalaya, 132 locations in Nagaland, 128 locations in
Sikkim, 117 locations in Tripura, 114 locations in Mizoram, and 60 locations in Manipur
covering entire north eastern region. Tube wells were operated at least 10 minutes before
collection to flash out the stagnant water inside the tube and to get fresh ground water. The
water samples were collected in plastic container (PVC 1L) and sealed. Preservative (1:1
HNO3 solution to pH <2, about 3ml /L sample) were added to each water samples for arsenic
and iron analysis at the time of sampling. These samples were tested for arsenic, fluoride and
pH and other water quality parameters.
The physical parameters such as pH, D.O., TDS, Electrical Conductivity and Temperature
were determined in the field at the time of sample collection using portable pH meter and
water testing Kit.
Arsenic: To prevent interferences, As (V) was pre-reduced to As (III) prior to determination.
Pre-reduction was performed with KI solution (KI+Ascorbic acid) in semi-concentrated (5
mol/L) HCl solution. Time for pre-reduction was 30 minutes. 10 mL of pre-reduced water
were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (PerkinElmer AA200) with
MHS-15 (Mercury Hydride Generation System) at 193.7 analytical wavelengths and 0.7 nm
slit width. Radiation source was Electrodeless discharge lamp for As with 50 sec pre-reaction
purge time and 30 sec post-reaction purge time. The Argon gas and Sodium tetraborohydrate
were used for hydride generation.
Iron: 10 mL of water were analysed for iron and other heavy metals using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer (PerkinElmer AA200) at 372 analytical wavelength and 0.2 nm slit width.
Results and Discussions
The physico-chemical characteristics of drinking water of all eight north eastern states viz,
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura is
presented in Table 1.
It was observed that the pH of all the water samples collected from different states showed the
pH ranges 6.0-8.3, 5.5-7.4, 6.4-8.7, 4.0-8.0, 4.8-7.4, 5.8-8.0, 5.1-7.2, and 4.3-8.3 in Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, respectively.

The water pH was found slightly acidic in reaction in six North Eastern States. The pH of
drinking water of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur was found within the permissible level as
per guidelines of BIS.

Table 1. Physical properties of water samples in NE states of India

NE States

Arunachal
Pradesh
Assam
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
Tripura

Population
(Person)
source:
census of
India 2001
1091117

pH

D.O
(mg/L)

TDS
(mg/L)

Turbidity
(NTU)

Temp
(oC)

6.0-8.3

5.2-12.2

10-70

1-17

9.8-26.3

26638407
2388634
2306069
891058
1988636
420000
3191168

5.5-7.4
6.4-8.7
4.0-8.0
4.8-7.4
5.8-8.0
5.1-7.2
4.3-8.3

3.4-8.0
5.0-9.0
3.8-12.6
1.0-10.2
0.1-3.7
0.70-13
0.1-8.8

10-249
10-121
20-360
10-200
10-115
80-100
100-205

5-47
1-20
1-14
1-25
1-29
3-9
1-62

16.4-25
18.5-23
10.1-27
15-32
13.1-25
2.9-17.1
20.5-29.5

The range of D.O was found in between 5.2-12.2 mg/L in Arunachal Pradesh, 3.4-8.0 mg/L in
Assam, 5.0-9.0 mg/L in Manipur; 3.8-12.6 mg/L in Meghalaya; 1.0-10.2 ml/L in Mizoram;
0.7-13.0 in Sikkim and 0.1-8.8 in Tripura. In these seven states DO value was found above the
permissible level. Whereas in Nagaland, the DO value was found below the permissible level
i.e. between 0.1-3.7 mg/L.
The ranges of temperature for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura varied from 9.8 to 26.3 oC, 16.4 to 25.0 oC, 18.5 to 23.0 oC, and
10.1 - 27.0 oC, 15.0-32.0 oC, 2.9-17.1oC and 20.5-29.5 oC, respectively.
Drinking water of all the NE states contain less amount of TDS ranging from 10-70 mg/L, 10249 mg/L, 10-121 mg/L, 20-360 mg/L, 10-200 mg/L, 10-115 mg/L, 80-100 mg/L and 100205 mg/L in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim
and Tripura, respectively. Maximum TDS was observed in Assam and Tripura state.
In North Eastern Region, the amount of iron is relatively high and almost all states contain
iron above the permissible level in drinking water. Maximum amount of Iron was observed in
Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
The concentration of arsenic in groundwater exceeds the permissible level (50 mg/l based on
water consumption of 2 litre per day, WHO) in parts of Assam (20 districts out of 24 districts)
Tripura (3 districts out of 4 districts), Arunachal Pradesh (6 districts out of 13 districts),
Nagaland (2 districts out of 8 districts) and Manipur (1 district out of 9 districts). The
distribution of arsenic in the region is shown in Fig 1. Name of the arsenic contaminated
district of each state is given below:

Assam: Nalbari, Jorhat, Barpeta, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Darrang, Nagoan, Sonitpur, Dhubari,
Lakhimpur, Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Goalpara, Kamrup, Sibasagar, Dibrugarh,
Bongaigoan, Kokrajhar and Tinsukia districts
Tripura: West Tripura (Jriania Block), Dhalai (Salema Block) and North Tripura,
(Dharmanagar Block) districts
Manipur: Thoubal district (Kakching Block)
Nagaland: Mokokchung, Mon districts
Arunachal Pradesh: Papumpare, East Kameng, West Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Tirap and
Dibang Valley districts

Meghalaya

Arsenic detected area in NE India

Fig-1: Distribution of Arsenic in North Eastern Region of India

In Assam, the maximum arsenic was observed in Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Nalbari and Nagaon
districts. In Nagaon district, 76 samples were collected and 13 per cent of the samples were
found contaminated with arsenic. The range of arsenic concentration was in between 112-601
g/l. In Jorhat district, the contamination of arsenic was highest in the range of 194-657 g/l.
Altogether 80 samples were collected and 21 percent of the samples were found contaminated
with As. In Lakhimpur district, total 76 samples analysed for As and 21 percent of the samples
detected with As. The concentration of As in Lakhimpur district was in between 50-550 g/l.
In Nalbari district, 19 per cent samples (72 samples) contained arsenic with the value between
106 g/l to 422 g/l. The details about pH, iron, As concentration and locations where As was
detected in these four district is given in Table 2. In most of the samples, the iron content was
much above the permissible level. However, the iron content did not show significant
correlation with arsenic.
In flood plain area of Assam viz. Barpeta, Dhemaji, Dhubari, Darrang, and Golaghat, the
arsenic was found in between 100-200 g/l. The sample population, percentage of As
contamination, locations, pH, iron and arsenic status is given in Table 2. Remaining 11
districts of Assam where As was detected contained arsenic in between 50-100 g/l. Only
three districts namely, Karbi Anglong, NC Hills and Morigaon were free from arsenic
contamination.

Table 2. Arsenic Concentration in groundwater of Assam

District

Number of
samples
Analysed

pH

Iron
(mg/L)

Lowkhowa, Pachim
Koliabor
Doboka, Binakandi, Raha,
Borhompur, Pakhimora,
Kathiatali
Moriani, Titabor,
Selenghat

6.9-7.9

0.76-11.02

6.6-7.6

0.22-30.59

Location

Arsenic
(g/l)

(%age of As
contamination)

Nagaon

76
(13)

Jorhat

80
(21)

Lakhimpur

76
(21)

Lakhimpur, Telahi,
Ghaimora Gossai,
Nowboisha, Karunabari,
Boginadi
Narayanpur, Bihpuria

6.5-7.0

1.22- 49.39

Nalbari

72
(19)

Barama, Pachim Nalbari,

Pub Nalbari
Tamulpur

6.3-6.9

4.95-22.30

Golaghat

60
(13)

South Golaghat, Podumoni

7.6-8.5

5.17-25.29

100-200

Dhubri

52
(19)

Mankachar, Jangal
Fekamari, Mahamaya

7.6-8.4

6.98-19.39

100-200

Darrang

52
(7.6)
66
(18)

Bahmolla (Sipajhar)

6.8

20.90

200

Mandia, Kolkussia
Chak chaka, Bajali

7.6-8.2

1.70-16.99

100-200

44
(22)

Sissiborgoan, Dhemaji
Jonai

5.6-6.8

11.45-26.84

Barpeta
Dhemaji

481-112

194-657
50-550

100-422

100-200

In Manipur, arsenic was found only in Kakching block area of Thoubal district. But
arsenic concentration was very high and varies between 798-986 g/l (Table-3).

Table 3. Arsenic contaminated area of Manipur

District

Number of
Samples
analysed

Location

pH

Iron
(mg/L)

Arsenic
(g/l)

7.3
7.5
7.6

1.95
0.74
4.32

986
858
798

(%age of As
contamination)

Thoubal

12
(50)

Khunyai
Kakching Market
Ningthou Lekei

In Arunachal Pradesh, six districts were detected with arsenic and maximum arsenic
(618 g/l) was found in part of Midland block of Dibang valley District. All these six districts
of Arunachal Pradesh are situated near the border area of Assam. The results of water sample
are shown in Table-4.
Table 4. Arsenic contaminated area of Arunachal Pradesh
District

Papum Pare
West Kameng
East Kameng
Lower Subansiri

Dibang Valley

Tirap

Number of
Samples
analysed
(%age of As
contamination)

Location

pH

Iron
(mg/L)

Arsenic
(g/l)

24
(33.4)
20
(2.0)
20
(2.0)
28
(42.85)

Doimukh

6.2

1.955

74

Dirang

7.8

4.931

127

Pakke

8.0

1.051

58

6.8-7.5

0.29-1.14

63-159

Hunli

7.5

0.132

75

Midland

7.5

0.251

618

Khonsa

7.4

0.259

90

19
(42.10)

28
(14.20)

Yazali, Yada Vill

Dokum

In Tripura, part of West Tripura, North Tripura and Dhalai districts have arsenic in between
65-444 g/l. The details of samples, percent As contamination and concentration of iron,
arsenic and pH is shown in Table-5.
Table 5. Arsenic contaminated area of Tripura
District

West Tripura
Dhalai
North Tripura

Number of
Samples
analysed
(%age of As
contamination)

38
(22.2)
19
(42.1)
21
(57.14)

Location

pH

Iron
(mg/L)

Arsenic
(g/l)

7.1

10.98

191

Salema, Halhali, Halhooli,

7.3-8.3

0.45-8.91

65-444

Kamalpur , Joyanagar
Sanitala, Rajbari, Dharma
Nagar

6.8-8.1

0.48-1.04

122-283

Jirania

In Nagaland, 7 locations in Mokokchung and 5 locations in Mon district shown the arsenic in
groundwater (Table-6). These two districts are situated near Jorhat district of Assam. Traces
of arsenic were also found in plain areas of Wokha and Zunheboto district of Nagaland.

Table 6. Arsenic contaminated area of Nagaland

District
Mokok chong
Mon

Number of
Samples analysed
(%age of As
contamination)

21
(33)
20
(25)

pH

Iron
(ppm)

Arsenic
(ppb)

Tzudikong, Tuli, Merapani

6.9-7.5

0.91-1.92

50-278

Longling, Borjan,
Naginimara, Namtula

7.1-7.4

0.33-1.32

67-159

Location

Possible Sources of Arsenic in Ground Water in North Eastern Region of India

There are as many as 150 arsenic bearing minerals that exist in nature. However, only three of
them are considered as arsenic ore (1) Realgar or Arsenic disulphide, (2) Oripiment or Arsenic
trisulphide and (3) Arsenopyrite or Ferrous arsenic sulphide. Arsenopyrite has been primarily
identified as the main source of arsenic pollution in Bengal basin. Both pentavalent and
trivalent forms of arsenic are found in nature. Pentavalent Arsenate and trivalent Arsenite are
commonly found in the ground water.
From the works of the different study in arsenic it is now known that the arsenic originates in
the Himalayan head waters of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and has lain undisturbed
beneath the surface of the regions deltas for thousands of years in thick layers of fine alluvial
mud smeared across the area by the rivers.
So far, the study indicates that arsenic contaminated ground water is found within the
sediments between 20 100 m bgl in Brahmputra alluvial plain. The arsenic free ground
water occurs in phreatic aquifer (within 20m from GL) and within semi-confined to confined
aquifers between 150 to 400m bgl. In most of the areas it is found that a thick impervious clay
bed occurs below the arsenic contaminated aquifers. The thick clay bed acts as a barrier to
prevent the vertical percolation of arsenic contaminated ground water with the arsenic free
ground water below 150m depth.
It also appears from analytical results for arsenic in Assam that groundwater adjacent to
foothills is highly arsenic contaminated. This area lies within an alluvial basin bounded by
Himalayan Mountains. The alluvial sediments are composed of a mixed sequence of sands,
silts and clay deposits eroded from the surrounding mountains. The probable reason of arsenic
contamination in those areas may be heavy deposition of sediments due to surface erosion
from surrounding hills and creating aquifers.
Several other studies have shown that the ground water in the region is generally in a reducing
state (presence of relatively high concentration of sedimentary organic matter) and suggest
that arsenic is being released when arsenic iron bearing minerals in the sediments are
reduced by oxygen deficient ground water.
Although, arsenic contents beyond the guideline values of WHO (World Health Organisation)
have been found in a large number of samples, no report of Arsenocosis from the area has
been known till date.

Conclusion
Groundwater is important in the rural areas of the basin both for irrigation and domestic
supply. Groundwater is derived from varying depths but mostly from a shallow (less than 80
ft) aquifers and a deeper aquifer (100-400ft). Concentration of As are highest in the low-lying
part of the basin where condition are most reducing and groundwater flow is most sluggish.
Iron content in groundwater is also high. Keeping in view the unusual high concentrations of
the arsenic in some part of the region, it is advisable to test the potability of groundwater
before using it for drinking/cooking purposes. A long-term environmental planning is also
essential to blunt the danger from such pollution.

References
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Imphal valley, Manipur, India. Chem Environ. Res. 6 (3&4), 30,1997
Aowal, A.F.S.A., Design of an Iron eliminator for hand tube wells, Journal of I.W.W.A., Vol
XIII, No-1, 65, 1981
Sengupta, A. In workshop on groundwater pollution and protection, Central Groundwater
Board, Science City, Calcutta, 69-7, 1999
Sushella, A.K. A treatise on Fluorosis, Fluorosis Research and Rural Development
Foundation, New Delhi, 15, 2001