Uranium in Groundwater: Distribution and Plausible Chemo-Radiological Health Risks Owing to the Long-term Consumption of Groundwater of Panchkula, Haryana, India

A comprehensive investigation was engaged to determine the spatial distribution of Uranium (U) and the consequential chemical and radiological health risk associated due to the consumption of groundwater containing U, in Panchkula district. A well-accepted technique of fluorescence of U estimation in an aqueous medium was employed having a detection limit of 0.50 µgL-1. The chemo-radiological health risk and water quality index was computed using a standard equation of concerned agencies to determine the suitability for human health. The concentration of U was observed to vary from 1.70 – 12.28 µgL-1 with the mean value of 5.89 µgL-1 The concentration of U was far below the standard prescribed limits as per World Health Organisation, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and United Nation Environmental Protection Agency. Except  nitrate and total alkalinity in few samples, all water quality paramters were within the recommended limit of BIS. The annual effective dose (AED), excess cancer risk (ECR), and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) indicated no potential health issue due to the consumption of groundwater of studied locations. The correlation was computed between U and various macro-anions and cations present in water samples. U was observed to have a significant weak positive correlation with total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity.