The study authors note that although the main source of the uranium is natural, human activities are contributing to the problem through groundwater-table decline and nitrate pollution.
Our Duke in India team followed up with one of the lead researchers, Avner Vengosh (link is external), to learn more about the findings.
And what causes nitrate pollution?
A: Groundwater level decline is caused by the over-pumping of groundwater all over India, especially in northwestern India, where pumping rates exceed precipitation.
Nitrate is a known water pollutant.
Over-pumping and pollution combined present chronic challenges for India.
Q: Do any remediation technologies and preventive management practices exists to treat uranium contamination?
While uranium contamination was known in some areas, our study has revealed that this is a large scale problem all over India and thus recognizing the scope of the problem is the key for monitoring, mapping, and identifying the groundwater that should not be used as drinking water.
Through teaching water quality in my classes in the Nicholas School of the Environment, we present new data from the project to undergraduate and graduate students and receive feedback and evaluation on our research.
This combination of research and teaching is a unique aspect of Duke University’s approach to learning.