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19 Jan, 2026

Uranium Contamination in Punjab’s Groundwater Raises Alarming Public Health Concerns: CT University–Led Research Sounds Wake-Up Call

A series of path-breaking research studies led by Dr. Satvir Singh, Assistant Dean, Research & Development Cell, CT University, have revealed widespread uranium contamination in groundwater across several districts of southwest Punjab, triggering serious concerns over public health, environmental sustainability, and long-term water security.

The research was conducted under the prestigious RUSA 2.0 Research Grant, in collaboration with Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and through an international JSPS Bilateral Collaborative Project with Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan. The comprehensive studies evaluated uranium concentration levels, health risks, factors controlling its distribution in groundwater, and potential remediation strategies.

Alarming Findings Across Districts

The findings show significant variation in uranium concentration across districts:
    •    Bathinda: 0.8 to 531.8 µg/L
    •    Mansa: 0.5 to 475.1 µg/L
    •    Moga: 0.2 to 360.2 µg/L
    •    Barnala: 0.1 to 122.3 µg/L

Disturbingly, a large proportion of groundwater samples exceeded the WHO (2011) safe limit of 30 µg/L:
    •    Bathinda: 63%
    •    Mansa: 67%
    •    Moga: 43%
    •    Barnala: 50%

The study highlights that shallow groundwater sources (less than 200 feet) are most affected. Uranium concentration was found to decrease with depth, indicating that deeper aquifers are comparatively safer for drinking purposes.

Serious Health Risks Identified

Health risk assessment using Hazard Quotient (HQ) values revealed that groundwater from shallow aquifers in Bathinda and Mansa poses significant health risks, making long-term consumption extremely harmful for local populations.

Causes and Contributing Factors

The research attributes uranium contamination primarily to geogenic (natural geological) sources, while also emphasizing the role of human activities such as:
    •    Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
    •    Intensive groundwater extraction
    •    Discharge of industrial and domestic waste

Continuous over-extraction has led to declining water tables, creating oxidizing conditions that enhance uranium mobility through the formation of soluble uranyl carbonate complexes.

Advanced Remediation Research

The studies also explored innovative remediation technologies, including:
    •    Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
    •    Mesoporous silica materials
    •    Metal oxide nanomaterials

These advanced materials demonstrated high uranium adsorption efficiency, large surface areas, regeneration potential, environmental sustainability, and scalability, making them promising candidates for future water treatment solutions.

However, researchers caution that adsorption-based methods alone cannot provide a permanent solution. The study strongly recommends increasing access to clean surface water as a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on groundwater and limit conditions that favor heavy metal contamination.


Comment by Pro Chancellor, CT University – Dr. Manbir Singh

“This research highlights a pressing environmental and public health challenge facing Punjab. CT University remains committed to impactful research that addresses real societal issues. The findings provide critical scientific evidence that can guide policymakers in safeguarding water resources and protecting the health of our communities.”

Comment by Dr. Satvir Singh, Assistant Dean, Research & Development Cell, CT University

“Our studies clearly indicate that shallow groundwater in southwest Punjab is unsafe for consumption due to elevated uranium levels. While advanced materials show promise for remediation, sustainable water management and access to clean surface water remain the most effective long-term solutions. The data generated through this research can play a vital role in shaping future groundwater quality regulations in India.”

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