MICROALGAL DIVERSITY, ARSENIC WATER POLLUTION AND ITS HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE PEOPLE IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Abstract

Arsenic poisoning leads to adverse health effects to the humans and ecosystem. The effects of arsenic on human health have been reported as one of the world’s biggest natural groundwater calamities to the mankind. Groundwater arsenic contamination is a serious problem and threat in India especially for the people who live and drinks arsenic contaminated water for prolonged period in Murshidabad district, West Bengal. Microalgae are highly diverse microscopic photosynthetic organisms which utilize sunlight and carbon dioxide for the synthesis of food and have been used as a prominent natural resource for Phycoremediation of polluted water resources. The current research have been done to analyze arsenic concentrations in water samples, vegetables, edible leafs, grains and soil samples. Microalgal species found in the arsenic contaminated sampling sites were morphologically identified and recorded. The research work was also focused on to study and records the health effects and details of arsenicosis affected patients from Murshidabad district. The concentration of arsenic on various environmental samples were analyzed and recorded. Details of arsenic affected persons in various villages of Murshidabad district were collected and documented. The arsenic concentration detected in environmental samples of Murshidabad district is more than permissible limit and the problems faced by the arsenicosis affected people in Murshidabad district is very serious issue. The present study concludes that a low cost or costless, environment friendly and biological method has to be found and implemented in arsenic affected areas of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India.