Air pollution in North India largely in the Indo-Gangetic Plain has been a severe and long standing issue. Resulting to which it had a wide ranging effects that impacts on groundwater quality. While air pollution is often associated with health issues and poor air quality, it also has an indirect impact on groundwater through several pathways.

Sources of air pollution in North India are -

• 1. High traffic density can cause air pollution by releasing nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulates.
• 2. Emissions from industries, factories and power plants and they include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and heavy metals.
• 3. Burning of Stubble practice done mainly in Punjab and Haryana releases high levels of particulate matters and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
• 4. Dust caused from construction and development of roads adds to the particulate matter in the air.
• 5. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can be caused because of the burning of biomass, coal, and wood for cooking and heating causes.

Reason linking air pollution to Ground water contamination are -

• Air pollutants can settle on ground because of dry deposition or they are washed down by rain. These contaminants may include heavy metals, nitrates, sulphates and particle matters. When these pollutants enter soil, they filter into the groundwater and can be contaminated over time.
• The Acid rain that is caused due to air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combining with water vapours to produce sulphuric and nitric acids. Acid rain has a potential to decrease the pH of soil and water bodies that can lead in the leaching of toxic metals like aluminium into groundwater.
• Toxic chemicals such as the lead, cadmium, and arsenic are commonly found in fine the particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These particles can be absorbed in the soil when settled on the ground and then eventually infiltrate groundwater.
• The continuous exposure with air pollutants can affect soil chemistry resulting in making it more acidic or adding contaminants that reduce the capacity of soil to properly filter water. This in return influences the quality of the groundwater recharge.

Effects on Groundwater Quality are -

• Contamination of Heavy Metal - When the Airborne pollutants are deposited on land and soaked into groundwater which can lead to the accumulation of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic, causing serious health issues.
• Pollution of Nitrate - Serious health issues like Blue baby syndrome or methemoglobinemia can be caused in infants due to high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air that contribute to nitrate pollution in groundwater.
• Difference in pH level- Acidic contaminants have the ability to lower the pH of groundwater, which increases its harshness and ability to dissolve dangerous metals from rocks and soil.

Ways for prevention are -

Reduce Air Pollution: it is essential to implement stronger air quality standards, encourage the use of cleaner fuels and cut back on emissions from cars and industries in order to lessen the indirect effects of air pollution on groundwater.

Management of soil - By using sustainable farming techniques to improve natural filtration capacity of soil, contaminants can be kept from seeping into groundwater.

Sewage Treatment Plants - Establishing and maintaining efficient Sewage Treatment Plants can be effective to treat wastewater as it will filter all the pollutants and prevent them from entering the soil and groundwater.

Monitoring and Research - To understand the links between air pollution and groundwater contamination, it is important to develop an effective and preventive idea with a timely checking of air quality.

Conclusion

Air pollution in North India might be less visible, but it not only affects the air we breathe, it also has significant consequences for groundwater quality. A comprehensive approach that takes an account of the interconnectedness of air, soil and water is needed to be addressed about this problem to protect the ecosystem as well as human health.