A comparative study of the groundwater quality in five districts of Assam and Meghalaya with special reference to healthrelated parameters

Abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN FIVE DISTRICTS OF ASSAM AND MEGHALAYA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HEALTH-RELATED PARAMETERS The thesis describes the work done on the groundwater quality of the districts of Goalpara, Kamrup and Nagaon in Assam and East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Some selected sites have been taken up for groundwater collection and monitoring in each of the five districts over a period of four years in order that a comparative study could be made about the water quality of the five districts vis-a-vis the standards prescribed for the same. The thesis consists of five chapters on Introduction, Description of the Study Area, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion along with a large number of illustrations, graphs and data tables. The first chapter (INTRODUCTION) gives a brief introduction into the water scenario across the world and the hydrologic cycle governing the circulation of water among the different sources and sinks. The role of groundwater and the general characteristics are described in relation to geology of rocks, climatic influences, inflow of polluted surface water, and the amount extracted. The difference sources, which are likely to contribute to groundwater pollution, have been discussed one by one, viz., agricultural sources, household sources, urban contamination, industrial inputs, etc. The different types of pollutants and their contribution to degradation of groundwater pollution have also been discussed one by one. A brief insight into the water chemistry involving various equilibria among the water consituents has also been given. The chapter includes a description of the role of water in sustaining human civilization and in particular, the impact of water of poor quality on human health. This chapter also discusses the role of those chemical pollutants, which have direct relevance to human health. 21 such parameters have been described one by one and the likely effects on health are also outlines. Particular emphasis...