Arsenic in groundwater: Exploring its origins, human interventions, and sustainable paths forward

Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater has emerged as a global environmental concern, posing severe metabolic and health hazards to humans. Its widespread occurrence in aquifers, especially across South and Southeast Asia, highlights the growing threat to safe drinking water. While the contamination largely originates from geogenic sources, anthropogenic influences have increasingly contributed to its persistence in the ‘21st century’, according to the recent insights of literature. Present study presents an integrated overview of the chemical profile, sources, and hydrogeochemical behavior of arsenic in groundwater. It outlines the mobilization mechanisms and summarizes key quantification techniques applied in groundwater studies. A dedicated section addresses the adverse health impacts of arsenic exposure, including major exposure routes, dermatological effects, and systemic disorders. Regional hydrogeology in India demonstrates that Himalayan River systems transport arsenic-bearing minerals downstream, enriching alluvial aquifers and exacerbating contamination. Prolonged exposure leads to skin lesions, pulmonary diseases, and carcinogenic outcomes, posing a major public health burden. The paper further highlights sustainable mitigation strategies such as adsorption, ion exchange, and membrane-based technologies to curb arsenic toxicity. Attaining arsenic-safe groundwater remains a critical challenge; however, sustainable remediation and management practices are pivotal to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-3 and SDG-6), ensuring clean water and good health for all. • Groundwater arsenic contamination source and mobilization • Global and Indian scenario of As-menace in groundwater • Quantification techniques of arsenic in groundwater • Groundwater arsenic exposure and hazard in human health • Sustainable approaches towards arsenic free groundwater