Article Published In Vol.2 (Jan-Feb-2014)

Studies on Ground Water pollution due to Iron Content in Cuttack City, Odisha, India

Author : Dr. G.Sunpriya Achary

A study has been carried out in Cuttack city of Odisha, India to ascertain the causes for the origin and distribution of iron content in the groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected quarterly for two consecutive years and analyzed for iron content. The content of iron ranges from 0.03 to 1.5 mg/l. A comparison of groundwater data with soil chemistry suggests that the concentration of iron in the ground water is derived from soils due to geogenic processes. Relatively higher concentration of iron was observed in some samples where the tube wells are located near municipal waste waters indicating the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ground water system. These activities mask the concentration of iron caused by geogenic origin. Hence both the geogenic and anthropogenic activities degrade the groundwater quality. Drinking water standards indicate that the iron content in most of the ground water samples exceeds the permissible limit ( 0.3 mg/l) recommended for drinking purposes, causing the health disorders. Necessity of close monitoring of ground water quality for assessing the impact of geogenic and anthropogenic sources with reference to land use / land cover activities is emphasized in the present study area to protect the ground water resources from the pollution.

Keywords: Ground Water pollution, Iron Content etc.