Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
- Recent Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) tests show rising uranium levels in Delhi groundwater.
- 13–15% of samples reported elevated uranium contamination.
What is Uranium Contamination?
- Refers to unnatural elevation of uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive heavy metal, in groundwater above safe drinking limits.
- Permissible Limit:
- WHO guideline: 30 µg/L (0.03 mg/L).
- BIS IS 10500:2012 (Revised): India now follows the same limit — 0.03 mg/L.
Causes of Rising Uranium in Delhi Groundwater
- Agricultural Sources
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- Excess phosphate fertilisers contain trace uranium.
- Long-term fertiliser use increases soil leaching into aquifers.
- Industrial/Anthropogenic Sources
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- Industrial waste and effluents may release uranium and other heavy metals into surrounding groundwater.
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- Natural Geological Factors
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- Aquifers with uranium-rich rock formations naturally release uranium during rock–water interactions.
- Deep and over-extracted groundwater zones intensify such leaching.
- Health Implications
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- Kidney toxicity and long-term renal dysfunction.
- Higher risk of kidney and urinary tract cancers.
- Uranium deposition in bone tissue affects skeletal health over time.
- Environmental Implications
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- Persistent contamination degrades aquifer quality, exacerbating Delhi’s freshwater stress.
- Can reinforce multi-contaminant cycles, as nitrate and fluoride contamination were also detected in the survey.
- Long-term impacts may hinder groundwater recharge and safe drinking supply.