Pollutants of drinking water in some parts of India are :
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Common pollutants occurring in ground and surface drinking water can be classified as :
(1) Inorganic contaminants:
(2) Organic contaminants :
(3) Biological contaminants :
(4) Radiological contaminants:
(1) Inorganic contaminants :
✨ Groundwater resources in India are highly polluted due to the presence of salinity, fluoride, arsenic, lead, copper, chromium, mercury, antimony, cyanide, iron, manganese, Chloride, and heavy metals beyond the permissible limits of the BIS.
✨ Most of these are not harmful when consumed in small quantities. But when the consumption is higher than the prescribed amount, it could be harmful and sometimes even fatal.
(2) Organic contaminants :
✨ Agricultural runoff contains dissolved salts such as nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, other nutrients, toxic metal ions, and organic compounds.
✨ These include Pesticides, herbicides, oil products, heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and zinc, detergents, and industrial wastes
✨ Fertilizers contain major plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
(3) Biological contaminants :
✨ These include the presence of living organisms, such as algae, bacteria, protozoa, or viruses in the water.
✨ The microbial contaminants include pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as microscopic protozoa and worms.
(4) Radiological contaminants :
✨ These include radioactive materials that are found naturally in the soil or rocks, which may contain Uranium, Radium and Radon.
Frequently Asked Question :
Q) Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? (UPSC - 2013)
1) Arsenic
2) Sorbitol
3) Fluoride
4) Formaldehyde
5) Uranium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show/hide Answer
Ans: (c) 1, 3 and 5 only
