HYDROGEOCHEMICAL ASSESMENT OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER AQUIFERS OF GOLAGHAT DISTRICT, ASSAM

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major environmental and public health issue in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, including Golaghat district. This research evaluates arsenic concentrations in hand-pump and tube-well water from 10 villages of Golaghat, analyses the data statistically, and tests whether mean arsenic levels exceed safe limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Primary water samples were collected and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). A one-sample t-test was used to compare sample means against the WHO standard (10 µg/L). Results indicate significant contamination, with 68% of samples exceeding the safe limit (p < 0.001). Crucial mitigation and safe water supply plans are suggested for Golaghat district of Assam.