EVALUATION OF METAL AND BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF GROUND WATERS IN AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE ACTIVITY AREAS OF WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT.

Groundwater is the main source for drinking purposes. Agriculture and Aquaculture activities are the major sources of human food. Various chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, pH modifiers, and nutrients are being employed to enhance crop yields. Due to the excessive application of these chemicals, the ground waters in the surrounding areas will be contaminated. Keeping in view the hectic agriculture and aquaculture activities it is aimed to evaluate the metal and bacterial contamination status in waters for suggesting the possible remedial measures to protect the public. From the proposed study area, 16 Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for metal ion concentrations. Further the waters are also analyzed for evaluating the bacterial contamination. The study results revealed that the waters were found to contain MPN count along with water-borne disease-causing pathogens. These waters are needed to be subject to suitable treatment techniques available for considering these waters for drinking and domestic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]