Study of uranium mobilization from Himalayan Siwaliks to the Malwa region of Punjab state in India

Patnaik, Rajeev; Lahiri, Susanta; Chahar, Vikas; Naskar, Nabanita; Sharma, Priyanka; Avhad, D. K.; Bassan, M.; Knolle, Friedhart; Schnug, Ewald; Srivastava, Alok Kumar

doi:10.1007/s10967-015-4578-3

Cited by 26 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…27,28 In Indian aquifers, the origin of uranium has been primarily attributed to geogenic sources. 29 However, the exact solidassociated forms of U and the dominant mechanisms that mobilize U are not well known. Most of the studies concerning U contamination in India lack detailed investigation of the sources.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigation of Potential Drivers of Elevated Uranium Prevalence in Indian Groundwaters with a Unified Speciation Model

Sujathan

Singh

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Elevated uranium (U) (>WHO limit of 30 μg L −1 ) in Indian groundwaters is primarily considered geogenic, but the specific mineralogical sources and mechanisms for U mobilization are poorly understood. In this contribution, statistical and geochemical analyses of well-constrained metadata of Indian groundwater quality (n = 342 of 8543) were performed to identify key parameters and processes that influence U concentrations. For geochemical predictions, a unified speciation model was developed from a carefully compiled and updated thermodynamic database of inorganic, organic (Stockholm Humic model), and surface complexation reactions and associated constants. Critical U contamination was found at shallow depths (<100 m) within the Indo-Gangetic plain, as determined by bivariate nonparametric Kendall's Tau b and probability-based association tests. Analysis of aquifer redox states, multivariate hierarchical clusters, and principal components indicated that U contamination was predominant not just in oxic but mixed (oxic−anoxic) aquifers under high Fe, Mn, and SO 4 concentrations, presumably due to U release from dissolution of Fe/Mn oxides or Fe sulfides and silicate weathering. Most groundwaters were undersaturated with respect to relevant U-bearing solids despite being supersaturated with respect to atmospheric CO 2 (average pCO 2 of reported dissolved inorganic carbonate (DIC) data = 10 −1.57 atm). Yet, dissolved U did not appear to be mass limited, as predicted solubilities from reported sediment concentrations of U were ∼3 orders of magnitude higher. Integration of surface complexation models of U on typical aquifer adsorbents, ferrihydrite, goethite, and manganese dioxide, was necessary to explain dissolved U concentrations. Uranium contamination probabilities with increasing dissolved Ca and Mn exhibited minima at equilibrium solubilities of calcite [∼50 mg L −1 ] and rhodochrosite [∼0.14 mg L −1 ], respectively, at an average groundwater pH of ∼7.5. A potential indirect control of such U-free carbonate solids on U mobilization was suggested. For locations (n = 37) where dissolved organic carbon was also reported, organic complexes of U contributed negligibly to dominant U speciation at the groundwater pH. Overall, the unified model suggested competitive dissolution−precipitation and adsorption−desorption controls on U speciation. The model provides a quantitative framework that can be extended to understand dominant mobilization mechanisms of geogenic U in aquifers worldwide after suitable modifications to the relevant aquifer parameters.

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Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Indian aquifers, the origin of uranium has been primarily attributed to geogenic sources . However, the exact solid-associated forms of U and the dominant mechanisms that mobilize U are not well known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Potential Drivers of Elevated Uranium Prevalence in Indian Groundwaters with a Unified Speciation Model

Sujathan

Singh

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Thus comparison have been made of agricultural sites with the undisturbed (uncultivated) areas. In recent years, many studies have been carried out to study the behaviour of natural radionuclides in surface soil [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. However studies are quite scarce on the vertical distribution of natural radionuclides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical Distribution and Radiological Risk Assessment of Natural Radionuclides in the Alluvial Soil Profile of South-west Punjab, India

Bala

Das

Karanveer

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Natural radionuclide levels are studied along the soil profile of alluvial sediments. Eighteen soil profiles have been selected from agricultural soil and undisturbed (uncultivated) areas and gamma-ray spectrophotometer has been used for the analysis. Vertical distribution of radionuclide was evaluated up to the depth of 900cm and levels were found to significantly vary with depth. Higher radionuclide levels are observed in the agricultural sites than the undisturbed land area till the depth interval of 600cm and values are comparable at both the sites after this depth, indicating the role of anthropogenic activities on radionuclide enrichment in agricultural areas. However, the value is higher than the global average at all sites, indicating the geogenic presence of radionuclides. Elemental ratio and multi-statistical analysis are utilized to assess the behaviour of radionuclides involved. Radiological hazard risk assesment is carried out and levels exceed the permissible limit which is a matter of concern for public health.

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“…The barrage at Harike Pattan, situated at the confluence of the rivers Sutlej and Beas, was constructed in 1952. The water is pushed further into two major canals one of which irrigates South West Punjab region from where uranium (U) toxicity has been reported . The toxic elements that are present in the water of Beas and Sutlej find their way into the crops which may be one of the causes of health related problems in the region .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of Toxic Elements in River Water and Wetland Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as Pollution Monitor

et al. 2019

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The concentration of toxic elements present in surface water of Sutlej River and Harike wetland besides Eichhornia crassipes , commonly known as water hyacinth, is estimated employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Toxic elements such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), uranium (U), and zinc (Zn) are identified in the river as well as in Harike wetland catchment. Accumulation of elements in different parts of the water hyacinth plant is observed with the roots exhibiting maximum affinity followed by stem and then leaves. The removal efficacy of pollutants by water hyacinth is estimated using bioconcentration factor (BCF) index. It is found to be different for different elements, with Mn showing the highest and U the lowest magnitude. The study carried out in the present work indicates that rhizofiltration could play an important role in controlling pollutant load.

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Study of uranium mobilization from Himalayan Siwaliks to the Malwa region of Punjab state in India

Cited by 26 publications

References 11 publications

Investigation of Potential Drivers of Elevated Uranium Prevalence in Indian Groundwaters with a Unified Speciation Model

Investigation of Potential Drivers of Elevated Uranium Prevalence in Indian Groundwaters with a Unified Speciation Model

Vertical Distribution and Radiological Risk Assessment of Natural Radionuclides in the Alluvial Soil Profile of South-west Punjab, India

Study of Toxic Elements in River Water and Wetland Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as Pollution Monitor

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