A Review of Tracing Groundwater Contamination with Multiple Isotopes

Groundwater is the most crucial source of freshwater and therefore widely used for the activities like drinking, domestic, irrigation and industrial purpose by humans. For a country like India, where 85% population depends on groundwater for drinking purpose, it cannot afford this natural source getting polluted and depleted. However, in the last couple of decades this resource is being deteriorated and affected adversely due to various reasons, which needs careful attention in time. The paper is focuses on the role of isotopic approaches for tracing out the groundwater contamination. The regional geological setting plays a role in contamination of the aquifers. Weathering of the rocks and the rock-water interactions releases many elements into the aquifers and chemically alter the natural composition of the aquifers. Anthropogenic activities further deteriorate the quality of water and restrict its utility for different purposes. This paper also gives a glimpse of the use of GIS-based approach implemented to trace the contamination in the groundwater. The measures and steps to be taken to have minimal damage to the groundwater system concerning to Indian context have also been highlighted.