~ 95 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; SP2: 95-97 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; SP2: 95-97 R Kumar Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, India. R Banwasi Scientist, Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, India. NS Bhogal Principal Scientist, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India. LK Shrivastava Scientist, Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, India. Correspondence R Kumar Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, India. National Conference on Conservation Agriculture (ITM University, Gwalior on 22-23 February, 2018) Assessment of arsenic content in water and soils of arsenic affected villages of Ambagarh Chowki block R Kumar, R Banwasi, NS Bhogal, LK Shrivastava Abstract Samples of water and soil were collected and analyzed for arsenic content from ten arsenic contaminated villages viz. Kaudikasa, Joratarai, Atergaon, Biharikala, Arajkund, Jadutola, Magatola, Sangli, Telitola, and Sonsaytola of block Ambagarh Chowki, district Rajnandgaon. The As content in different samples of water sources viz. Hand Pumps for drinking purpose, was ranged 0.03 to 0.75 mg L -1 with mean value of 0.32 mg L -1 found much above the (WHO) [1] recommended As limit (0.01 mg L -1 for drinking water). The concentration of arsenic in tube well and pond water for irrigation purpose were also varied 0.08 to 0.49 and 0.01 to 0.29 mg L -1 , with the mean value of 0.29 and 0.09 mg L -1 , respectively. Among all the tube well samples only one sample of village Atargaon-2 (0.08 mg L -1 ) was found under the permissible limit (0.10 mg L -1 , FAO, 1985) [2] for irrigation purpose. The concentration of arsenic in pond water (0.09 mg L-1) was lower than the tube well water (0.29 mg L -1 ) in affected villages of Ambagarh Chowki. The As distribution in the three soil orders namely Vertisols, Alfisols and Inceptisols was varied over the ten villages were ranges 2.05-8.48 mg kg -1 . All the soil orders were recognized under the permissible limits given by FAO (50 mg kg -1 ). The maximum concentration 8.48 mg kg -1 of arsenic was recorded in village Kaudikasa-1 and the minimum 2.05 mg kg -1 in village Arajkund-1. Keywords: Arsenic, Ambagarh Chowki, Vertisol, Alfisols, Inceptisols. Introduction The name Arsenic is derived from the Greek word arsenikon, which means yellow orpiment, a metalloid is omnipresent in the environment in both organic and inorganic forms, the most common form being arsenopyrite. Inorganic forms of arsenic namely arsenite and arsenate show more toxicity in humans than their organic counterparts. Arsenic is commonly referred to as “king of poisons and poison of kings” because it is potent, discreet, easily available, odorless and tasteless; hence it can be easily camouflaged in food [Hughes et al., 2011] [3] . The arsenic contamination in ground water is now a major environmental hazard and threat in many countries of the world. The drinking water intake of 0.1 mg L -1 is considered highly elevated and a major health threat. In addition to drinking waters, food crops have also been considered as important pathways for As intake by humans [Stone, 2008] [4] . Arsenic is found to be cumulative in living tissue, once ingested by any organism it is passed out of the organism very slowly. The exposure to higher As concentrations can cause several diseases including Arsenicosis, cancers, hyperkeratosis, restrictive lung diseases, and ischemic heart diseases in human being [Chakraborti et al., 2004] [5] . Chronic As poisoning through drinking water can show dermatological symptoms and melanosis (change pigmentation). Ambagarh-Chowki area of district Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh is rocky with thin alluvium, colluviums and soil cover. Thus tube-wells, tap, groundwater in the fracture system are in the bedrocks. The degree of arsenic contamination in groundwater in this area varies from place to place. Four villages namely, Kaurikasa, Sonsayatola, Joratarai and Jadutola are the most affected. Some tube-wells in other affected areas record arsenic concentration over 50 μg L -1 and it often reaches about 100 μg L -1 , whereas dug-well water has As concentration 10 μg L -1 [Acharyya et al., 2005] [6] . Material Method Studied area Ten arsenic contaminated villages (i.e. Atargaon, Kaudikasa, Joratarai, Arajkund, Sangali, Biharikala, Mangatola, Jadutola, Sonsaytola and Telitola) of block Ambagarh chowki in