Present Status, Plausible Sources, Mechanism and Effects of Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater: A Review on Worldwide Outlook with a Focus on Indian Scenario

Arsenic arbitrated contamination of groundwater all over the globe is a result of both geogenic and anthropogenic sources, causing detrimental health effects on human health and the atmosphere. Prolonged contact to elevated concentrations of As can have disturbing effects on human health, including non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic diseases. Until 2019, approximately 76 districts (16 states) of India have been identified with As contamination exceeding 50 ppb, the national permissible limit. The quaternary alluvium of the Ganga and Brahmaputra Rivers are associated with natural geogenic contamination in groundwater. The neutral to slightly acidic pH and As(III) presence in most of India’s areas indicate groundwater occurrence in reducing conditions. This review aims to explore and summarize the present state of global groundwater As contamination with particular emphasis on the Indian setup. The health concerns of Arsenic menace as studied by some workers and the possible approaches for mitigation regarding effective As removal are also featured in this review.