Hydrogeochemical characteristics and Human Health Risk

The rapid population growth and the social-economic development threaten the groundwater resources through human activities that alter its quantity, quality, and regional distribution. Over the last 15 years or so, many investigations relating to groundwater characteristics and its contamination due to natural processes, anthropogenic, and other major factors controlling groundwater chemistry from different regions in India. Groundwater contamination is mainly due to increased urbanization, use of fertilizers for crop production, infiltration of untreated industrial wastes, and unhygienic sanitation causing depletion of water quality in aquifers at varying depths. Human health is at threat due to several contaminants in potable water which may have direct health effects. Ensuring the safety of potable water is, therefore, an increasing problem. Hence, the book mainly focuses on groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes.