ANALYSIS OF BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AND GROUNDWATER IN ARSENIC AFFECTED BLOCKS OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT AND ISOLATION OF POTENTIAL ARSENIC RESISTANT BACTERIA
Dr. Abhishek Basu*, Debjani Mandal, Bibhas Bhattacharyya, Manali Biswas, Indranil Saha, Dr. Gunjan Dhar and Dr. Shamsuzzaman Ahmed
ABSTRACT
Arsenic is one of the major contaminants of soil and groundwater, responsible for a number of health hazards. Various blocks of Murshidabad district show arsenic concentration above the maximum permissible limit in soil and water samples. In the present study, we have focused on some highly arsenic contaminated regions of Murshidabad district. We have analyzed various biochemical parameters of soil and water samples of this district. The soils of these regions show high alkalinity and the groundwater samples also exhibits a basic pH. The total dissolved solids of these water samples varied from 200 mg to 300 mg. Also, the bacterial load in the water samples was extremely high. Since, groundwater is a source of drinking water in the blocks of Murshidabad district, consumption of such high amount of total dissolved solids would take a toll on the detoxifying and excretory system of the body i.e., on the hepatic and renal systems. The uncharacterized microorganisms in the soil could be faecal coliforms or other pathogenic bacteria, and their consumption would have serious health consequences. After serial dilutions (106 to 109 folds) of the groundwater and the soil samples, we could still isolate some bacteria thriving in these samples. Since, the soil and groundwater of these regions are highly arsenic contaminated, bacterial colonies isolated after serial dilutions could be potentially arsenic resistant bacteria.
Keywords: Murshidabad district, Arsenic toxicity, Soil and groundwater, pH, Total dissolved solutes, Phosphate content, Arsenic resistant bacteria.
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