STUDY THE STATUS OF GEOMEDICAL HEALTH HAZARDS DUE TO QUALITY OF WATER IN JALGAON DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA (INDIA)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to study the relationship between hydro- geochemistry and health hazards in Jalgaon district, Northern part of Maharashtra state, India. For this study, 64 underground and surface water samples were collected to analyze their constituents which are closely related to the geological and hydrogeological conditions in the area. Analytical results suggest that most of the water samples are acidic in the pre monsoon season while they become alkaline in the post monsoon season. The major ions and electrical conductivity of water samples are higher in pre monsoon than during post monsoon period. Groundwater quality of the area shows that alkaline earth elements exceed alkali elements and weak acids exceed strong acids. Higher concentration of NO₃ is observed in a few

water samples, indicating excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers. Trace element concentrations in water show that Cd > Pb > Zn > Ni > Fe > Cu > Mn. Medical survey data reveal that patients with hypertension, anemia, cardiovascular, urine stone and skin disease are positively correlated to the concentrations of contaminants in the drinking water.