Authors: Munendra Singh Alok Srivastava Amol D Shinde R Acharya A V R Reddy I B Singh
Publish Date: 2012/01/10
Volume: 294, Issue: 2, Pages: 241-246
Abstract
In northern part of Indian subcontinent As related environmental and health issues receive attention from all over the world Fortyeight sediment samples were collected from the Ganga Alluvial Plain GAP and its weathering products from the Gomati River for the study of As distribution and mobilization These sediment samples were analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis INAA method using Cirus Research Reacter of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai Average As concentrations in the GAP sediments 1044 mg kg−1 the Gomati River bed sediments 136 mg kg−1 and the Gomati River suspended sediments 530 mg kg−1 were reported Significant decrease of As content from the alluvial sediments to the river sediments is a clear indication of its mobilization by chemical weathering processes of mineral biotite Present study demonstrates the importance of INAA for quantification and mobilization of As and improves our understanding related to As related environmental issues in northern India and elsewhereAuthors are thankful to Head Department of Geology University of Lucknow for providing infrastructure facility for this work and to Mr Pramod Kumar Joshi for making diagrams IBS is thankful to Indian National Science Academy New Delhi for providing the INSA Senior Scientist Position Financial support from University Grants Commission India—Department of Atomic Energy India consortium CRS/CD/MUM/CRSM129/07/2837 is also gratefully acknowledged
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