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Groundwater contamination with arsenic in Sherajdikhan, Bangladesh: geochemical and hydrological implications

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

An integrated study has been carried out to elucidate the distribution and occurrence of arsenic in selected groundwater samples in the area of Sherajdikhan, Bangladesh. Arsenic and other parameters (T, pH, EC, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, NO3 −, SO4 2−, HCO3 −, PO4 3−, Fe, Mn and DOC) have been measured in groundwater samples collected from shallow/deep tube wells at different depths. Hydrogeochemical data suggest that the groundwaters are generally Ca–Mg–HCO3 and Mg–Ca–HCO3 types with bicarbonate (HCO3 −) as the dominant anion, though the other type of water has also been observed. Dissolved arsenic in groundwater ranged from 0.006 to 0.461 mg/l, with 69% groundwater samples exceeded the Bangladesh limit for safe drinking water (0.05 mg/l). Correlation and principal component analysis have been performed to find out possible relationships among the examined parameters in groundwater. Low concentrations of NO3 − and SO4 2−, and high concentrations of DOC, HCO3 − and PO4 3− indicate the reducing condition of subsurface aquifer where sediments are deposited with abundant organic matter. Distinct relationship of As with Fe and Mn, and strong correlation with DOC suggests that the biodegradation of organic matter along with reductive dissolution of Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides has being considered the dominant process to release As in the aquifers studied herein.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for research grant 18-06396/2006-2007 on the simulation and remediation model for the groundwater contaminated by arsenic and multi-geochemical species and Dr. Watanabe, Center of Advanced Instrumental Analysis, Kyushu University, Japan for her kind cooperation in the analytical determinations. We would like to thank Dr. James W. LaMoreaux, Editor, Dr. Jan Schwarzbauer, Associate Editor and anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments, which helped us to improve this manuscript considerably.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    M. A. Halim, S. A. Nessa, K. Oda, Y. Hiroshiro & K. Jinno

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan

    R. K. Majumder

  3. Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, 816-8580, Japan

    B. B. Saha

  4. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Savar, GPO Box 3787, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh

    S. M. Hassain, Sk. A. Latif & M. A. Islam

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  1. M. A. Halim
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Correspondence to M. A. Halim.

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Halim, M.A., Majumder, R.K., Nessa, S.A. et al. Groundwater contamination with arsenic in Sherajdikhan, Bangladesh: geochemical and hydrological implications. Environ Geol 58, 73–84 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1493-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1493-8

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