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This study focuses on investigating the release and dispersion of radon in diverse samples obtained from four designated sites (Rajpur, Maldevta, Kalsi and Dugadda) situated within the Main Boundary Thrust region of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. In the Current research, we measured different radioactive parameters; including natural radioactivity (Radium content) and Mass exhalation rate. Using these measurements, we calculated the radon emanation fractions in 82 samples from four sampling sites. The radium content exhibited a range of 39 ± 8 Bq kg−1 to 442 ± 50 Bq kg−1, averaging at 88.2 ± 62.2 Bq kg−1. The Radon Exhalation rate displayed a range of 8.56 ± 3.1 mBq kg−1 h−1 to 144.9 ± 12.5 mBq kg−1 h−1 with an average rate of 48.4 ± 29.2 mBq kg−1 h−1. The variation in radon emanation fraction ranged from 0.62 to 8.52, with an average of 3.25 ± 1.60. Initially, the samples were categorized into rock and soil groups. To introduce an additional dimension, a secondary classification based on dry and wet conditions were subsequently incorporated. An increase in radon emanation fraction was observed for the wet samples due to higher moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elucidates methods for isolation and biochemical identification of thermophilic bacteria isolated from the Gauri Kund hot spring of Uttarakhand, India. Heavy metals are discharged from various industries and man-made activities into the soil and water resources. Increased toxic concentrations of heavy metals are responsible for disturbing metabolism and may cause lethal and chronic diseases in humans and plants. Therefore, this study aims to isolate and identify some metalresistant bacterial strains of thermophiles. A total of 3 iron (Fe) and 3 manganese (Mn) resistant bacterial strains were isolated. These strains were capable of tolerating the presence of Fe, and Mn metal ions. Additionally, the metal tolerance limit of isolated strains was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The thermophilic strain GA7 showed the highest MIC (475 μg/lt.) against Mn ions. However, for more accurate results, molecular characterization is also required and reported in another study with the results of a detailed bioremediation assay. The unique cell wall structures and thermoadaptation mechanisms of thermophilic bacteria help in heavy metal Bioremediation. It is concluded that bacterial bioremediation is a very good, eco-friendly, and cost-effective biotechnological approach to reduce heavy metal contamination from the soil and water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to safe drinking water for the public is of utmost concern in developing nations to achieve sustainable development. The usage of groundwater for drinking purposes is well known on account of its less susceptibility to contamination; it is thus considered essential to examine the quality of water that is intended for public supply. This research assesses the groundwater quality of Dehradun Valley of outer Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India, for drinking purpose using geographical information system and multivariate statistical tools. The results from the research revealed groundwater of the study area dominated by calcium–magnesium–bicarbonate hydro-chemical facies, which show the occurrence of limestone/dolomite, magnesite, talc rock types in the geology of the region, controlling the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater. Few water samples falling under the 'mixed type' zone of the plotted Piper diagram reflect influence of anthropogenic sources of pollution. The groundwater quality was also evaluated using the water quality index, that grouped 96% of tested water sources for having 'excellent' to 'good' water quality, whereas 4% fall under 'fair' category, which were not fit for consumption purposes. The physico-chemical investigations showed turbidity and iron concentration at few sources, exceeding the limits of Bureau of Indian Standards drinking water specifications. The multivariate statistical techniques (Pearson Correlation Analysis, Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical cluster analysis) suggest the rock–water interactions and corrosion of underground pipelines and metal surfaces influence the groundwater quality in the study area. The study suggests to undertake regular maintenance and repair works of damaged underground water supply machinery, to consistently monitor and understand the groundwater characteristics of the region and identify the associated factors which can impact its quality, so as to ensure safe public water supply and to manage the groundwater sources sustainably in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, 80 samples of water from hand pumps and 63 samples of tap water were collected from the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, state of India. The radon activity concentration is varied from 1 to 21 Bq/L with a mean value of 7 ± 4 Bq/L in tap water samples while for handpump water samples radon activity concentration is varied from 3 to 42 Bq/L with a mean value of 20 ± 9 Bq/L. The average radon level in drinking water in the study region was higher than the radon level in water of Haridwar and Karanprayag districts of Uttarakhand and lower than the radon level in the drinking water of Dehradun, New Tehri, Pauri Garhwal and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand. The mathematical estimation of radiological dose due to inhalation and ingestion of radon in water was calculated and discussed in detail in this study. Age dependent effective dose is estimated to compare the radiological effect on different age-groups. The trend of the mean values of radon ingestion dose in distinct age-groups is likely to be as infants > adults > children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radionuclides such as Ra-226, Th-232 & K-40 occurs naturally in the earth crust from its creation and are main contributor to the dose received by human beings. The present study was carried-out in the Doon valley which is outlined in the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) region of Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India. The collected soil/rock samples were analyzed by NaI(Tl) Gamma ray spectrometry for the analysis of radionuclides and hence measuring the various health hazard indices and Excess lifetime cancer risk. Radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th & 40K) content were found to vary from 47 ± 9 to 442 ± 50 Bq Kg−1, 45 ± 17 to 101 ± 16 Bq Kg−1 & 320 ± 281 to 947 ± 197 Bq Kg−1 respectively and were higher than the world average values which are 35 Bq Kg−1, 30 Bq Kg−1 and 400 Bq Kg−1 respectively. Higher radionuclide content contributes to higher amount of absorbed doses which was found to vary from 93 to 259.6 ηGyh−1 with a mean value of 112.5 ηGyh−1 and Gamma index which found to vary from 0.73 to 1.92 with a mean value of 0.96. Lastly, on the basis of annual effective doses received to humanoid, Excess lifetime cancer risk was measured which varies from 0.48 × 10–3 to 1.34 × 10–3 with an average value of 0.65 × 10–3 and was much below the world's average value of 1.45 × 10–3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A water safety plan (WSP) has been developed for rural water supply in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India. Four public water utilities were chosen to demonstrate the application of WSP in improving the rural drinking water quality along with improved sanitation. Hazard identification and risk assessment carried out identified 10 hazardous events at all four utilities. Intermittent water supply, poor repair and maintenance of the supply channel machinery, and individual household sanitation practices were the potential sources of contamination. The study showed encouraging results, where the evaluated risks decreased substantially after implementing the control measures, along with improved water quality after WSP implementation which showed statistically significant results (p <.05) for all tested parameters, namely, turbidity (p =.000), total dissolved solids (p =.004), residual-free chlorine (p =.004), total coliforms (p =.000), and fecal coliforms (p =.003). The sanitation condition of water source and households also improved by adopting the suggested measures. The study recommends water safety planning, to empower the rural communities to safeguard their water sources, and for sustainable water supply management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]