aquatic macrophytes and wetland plants grown in As-contaminated areas are
reported to hyperaccumulate As (Robinson et al. 2006). Pteris vittata is an excellent
As hyperaccumulator and reported to accumulate As up to 22,630 μg g
À1 in 6 weeks
(Ye et al. 2011). Aldrich et al. (2007) reported that mesquite plant is a potential
candidate for the phytoremediation of As-contaminated regions.
5.4.5 Bioremediation
Potential of living organisms to mitigate As contamination is known as bioremediation. Microorganisms have ability to grow and survive in the heavy metal (As)contaminated areas. Some autotrophs and heterotrophs are reported to use As as their
source of energy (Oremland 2009). Microbes methylate or biotransform the toxic
form of As into less toxic form of As and thus can be used to amelioration of As from
the contaminated environments. That microorganisms play an important role in the
biogeochemical cycling of metal(oid) in the aquatic environment and have potential
applications in bioremediation. It is also hypothesized that microorganisms are able
to produce As-containing minerals or arsenosugars and thus can transform As into its
less toxic form. Another important strategy of As removal includes plant-microbe
interaction (Awasthi et al. 2018). The rhizospheric As-resistant microbes have been
reported to play a vital role in plant growth promotion and phytoextraction of As
from contaminated sites. Additionally, the ecological and socio-behavioral factors of
As-affected areas, awareness about As-induced toxicity, and health risks should be
of prime concern before design and implementation of any As mitigation proposals/
policies. We must understand that so far there is no available treatment for As
toxicity. The only solution to this ailment is non-As-contaminated drinking water,
food, and essential vitamins and minerals. People living in the villages should be
encouraged to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets due to their high
nutritive value. They should be aware about the right cooking methods as over
cooking can demolish essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables. In this reference,
government should recruit food technologists, nutritionist, or medical personnel to
aware villagers.
5.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Day by day, the addition of new As-affected areas due to the geogenic and anthropogenic activities has changed the present scenario of groundwater As contamination in India. Thus, it is of prime concern to explore the real picture of As
contamination and its mitigation strategies to overcome the problem. In recent
years, several As removal devices have been developed by different organizations
that are proved to be efficient tools for As removal from groundwater. Deeper
aquifers with no future risk of As contamination are helpful to supply As-free
5 Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater and Its Mitigation Strategies
115
reported to hyperaccumulate As (Robinson et al. 2006). Pteris vittata is an excellent
As hyperaccumulator and reported to accumulate As up to 22,630 μg g
À1 in 6 weeks
(Ye et al. 2011). Aldrich et al. (2007) reported that mesquite plant is a potential
candidate for the phytoremediation of As-contaminated regions.
5.4.5 Bioremediation
Potential of living organisms to mitigate As contamination is known as bioremediation. Microorganisms have ability to grow and survive in the heavy metal (As)contaminated areas. Some autotrophs and heterotrophs are reported to use As as their
source of energy (Oremland 2009). Microbes methylate or biotransform the toxic
form of As into less toxic form of As and thus can be used to amelioration of As from
the contaminated environments. That microorganisms play an important role in the
biogeochemical cycling of metal(oid) in the aquatic environment and have potential
applications in bioremediation. It is also hypothesized that microorganisms are able
to produce As-containing minerals or arsenosugars and thus can transform As into its
less toxic form. Another important strategy of As removal includes plant-microbe
interaction (Awasthi et al. 2018). The rhizospheric As-resistant microbes have been
reported to play a vital role in plant growth promotion and phytoextraction of As
from contaminated sites. Additionally, the ecological and socio-behavioral factors of
As-affected areas, awareness about As-induced toxicity, and health risks should be
of prime concern before design and implementation of any As mitigation proposals/
policies. We must understand that so far there is no available treatment for As
toxicity. The only solution to this ailment is non-As-contaminated drinking water,
food, and essential vitamins and minerals. People living in the villages should be
encouraged to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets due to their high
nutritive value. They should be aware about the right cooking methods as over
cooking can demolish essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables. In this reference,
government should recruit food technologists, nutritionist, or medical personnel to
aware villagers.
5.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Day by day, the addition of new As-affected areas due to the geogenic and anthropogenic activities has changed the present scenario of groundwater As contamination in India. Thus, it is of prime concern to explore the real picture of As
contamination and its mitigation strategies to overcome the problem. In recent
years, several As removal devices have been developed by different organizations
that are proved to be efficient tools for As removal from groundwater. Deeper
aquifers with no future risk of As contamination are helpful to supply As-free
5 Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater and Its Mitigation Strategies
115