Assessment of arsenic content in soil,rice grains and groundwater and associated health risks in human population from Ropar wetland,India, and its vicinity

In the present study, potential health risks posed to human population from Ropar wetland and its vicinity, by consumption of inorganic arsenic (i-As) via arsenic contaminated rice grains and groundwater, were assessed. Total arsenic (t-As) in soil and rice grains were found in the range of 0.06–0.11 mg/kg and 0.03–0.33 mg/kg, respectively, on dry weight basis. Total arsenic in groundwater was in the range of 2.31–15.91 μg/L. i-As was calculated from t-As using relevant conversion factors. Rice plants were found to be arsenic accumulators as bioconcentration factor (BCF) was observed to be >1 in 75% of rice grain samples. Further, correlation analysis revealed that arsenic accumulation in rice grains decreased with increase in the electrical conductivity of soil. One-way ANOVA, cluster analysis and principal component analysis indicated that both geogenic and anthropogenic sources affected t-As in soil and groundwater. Hazard index and total cancer risk estimated for individuals from the study area were above the USEPA limits of 1.00 and 1.00 × 10^?6, respectively. Kruskal-Wallis H test indicated that groundwater intake posed significantly higher health risk than rice grain consumption (χ ²(1) = 17.280, p = 0.00003).     

Appraisal of groundwater arsenic on opposite banks of River Ganges,West Bengal,India, and quantification of cancer risk using Monte Carlo simulations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study was conducted to inspect the spatial distribution, source identification, and risk assessment of groundwater arsenic (As) in different...     

Groundwater quality in Imphal West district, Manipur, India, with multivariate statistical analysis of data

The aim of this paper was to analyze the groundwater quality of Imphal West district, Manipur, India, and assess its suitability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural use. Eighteen physico-chemical variables were analyzed in groundwater from 30 different hand-operated tube wells in urban, suburban, and rural areas in two seasons. The data were subjected to uni-, bi-, and multivariate statistical analysis, the latter comprising cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and factor analysis (FA). Arsenic concentrations exceed the Indian standard in 23.3 % and the WHO limit in 73.3 % of the groundwater sources with only 26.7 % in the acceptable range. Several variables like iron, chloride, sodium, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and turbidity are also beyond their desirable limits for drinking water in a number of sites. Sodium concentrations and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) are both high to render the water from the majority of the sources unsuitable for agricultural use. Multivariate statistical techniques, especially varimax rotation of PCA data helped to bring to focus the hidden yet important variables and understand their roles in influencing groundwater quality. Widespread arsenic contamination and high sodium concentration of groundwater pose formidable constraints towards its exploitation for drinking and other domestic and agricultural use in the study area, although urban anthropogenic impacts are not yet pronounced.     

Geochemistry of high arsenic groundwater in Chia-Nan plain, Southwestern Taiwan: possible sources and reactive transport of arsenic

Major ion, trace element, and stable isotope analyses were performed on groundwater samples collected during November 2005 and 2006 in Chia-Nan plain of southwestern Taiwan to examine As mobilization in aquifers. The high concentrations of As, Fe and Mn in the groundwater is consistent with low Eh values (under moderately reduced state). Moreover, the observed Na/Cl and SO(4)/Cl molar ratios in groundwater demonstrate the influence of seawater intrusion. Seawater intrusion could provide required electron acceptors (i.e., SO(4)) for bacterial sulfate reduction and promote reducing conditions that are favorable for As mobilization. The concurrent increases in the concentrations of Fe and Mn from 2005 to 2006 may be caused by bacterial Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction. Geochemical modeling demonstrate that As(III) is the dominant As species and the presence of Fe-bearing carbonates, sulfides, and oxide phases may locally act as potential sinks for As. Mud volcano fluids were also collected and analyzed to assess the possible source of As in the Chia-Nan plain groundwater. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic signatures indicate that the As-rich mud volcano fluids may have been modified by chemical exchange with (18)O-rich crustal rocks and possibly originated from mixing of deep brines with circulating meteoric water. Thus As in the Chia-Nan plain groundwater may have been evolved from deep crustal fluids or rock sources. The hydrogeochemistry and widespread As enrichment in groundwater of Chia-Nan plain result from multiple processes, e.g., de-watering of deep crustal fluids, seawater intrusion, and biogeochemical cycling of Fe, As, and S in alluvial sediments.     

Metal contents and potential health risk assessment of crops grown in a former mining district (Romania)

ABSTRACT

The Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents in home-grown crops in a former mining district were determined in order to evaluate the non-carcinogenic long-term potential health risk related to crop consumption. The potential health risk was investigated by estimating the daily intake and the hazard quotients. For all crop categories, the daily intake and the target hazard quotient were below the threshold values for Cd, Cu, and Zn. The daily intake of Pb exceeded the oral reference dose, while the target hazard quotient for vegetables was above 1, indicating a potential health risk. The total target hazard quotient for the individual metals decreased in the following order: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. This study confirmed that the daily consumption of crops grown in contaminated soils could pose health risks to humans.     

Correction to: Impact of precipitation disparity on groundwater fluctuation in a semi-arid region (Vellore district) of southern India using geospatial techniques

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13406-7     

Factors influencing formation of trihalomethanes in drinking water with special reference to Swedish conditions

The trihalomethane (THM) concentrations in drinking water are greatly affected by the disinfection methods as well as the organic content of the water. The THM formation was shown to increase considerable during 24 hours. This indicates a higher concentration of THM at the consumers' tap compared to the levels in the outgoing water from the water work. The dosage ratio between chlorine and ammonium sulphate can be used to regulate the THM concentrations. Disinfection with a relatively high dosage of chlorine dramatically increase the THM level while the equal amount of chlorine dioxide produces trace concentrations of THM only. The relatively low THM concentrations in Swedish drinking water as compared to levels found in water from for example the USA may probably depend on the low chlorine dosage practiced in Sweden.     

Impact of precipitation disparity on groundwater fluctuation in a semi-arid region (Vellore district) of southern India using geospatial techniques

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the present study, impact of precipitation disparity on groundwater level fluctuation was carried out in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India, using...     

Hydrogeochemical investigations to assess groundwater and saline water interaction in coastal aquifers of the southeast coast,Tamil Nadu,India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Groundwater and saline water interaction is the most common processes in the coastal aquifers that alters the quality of aquifer waters. The...     

Global climate change: modelling the potential responses of agro-ecosystems with special reference to crop protection

Pests and diseases reduce yields to lower levels than those that could have been potentially obtained, given the restrictions of climate, nutrients and crop varieties. Climatic change not only affects the potential yield levels, but it may also modify the effects of pests and diseases. Modelling can serve as a tool to integrate these processes, ranging from simple removal of plant material to subtle toxic and hormonal effects. Modelling can help to quantify different modes of action such as on photosynthesis, root activity, assimilate partitioning, morphology, and their interactions. As to climatic change, little is known about pests, diseases and weeds. If climatic change causes a gradual shift of agricultural regions, crops and their associated pests, diseases and weeds will migrate together, though at different rates maybe. To a limited extent, new outbreaks can be foreseen given the changed environmental conditions. Methodology is available, and some interesting results are on record. Specific changes such as an increase in the CO(2) content in the air and in UV radiation are not likely to have large effects. Increasing atmospheric CO(2) reduces crop nitrogen content, which may retard many pests and diseases, and change the composition of the weed flora which accompanies crops. Some cautionary remarks are made to avoid jumping to conclusions.     

Carbon stock dynamics in the tropical rain forestsof the Uttara Kannada district, Western Ghats, India

Carbon stock dynamics was monitored in the Uttara Kannada district, Western Ghats, India, for ten years on eight one-hectare sampling areas belonging to different management and forest categories. The study was initiated in 1984 and the area was monitored until 1994. Our study indicates that, in general, the carbon stock has enhanced during the study period with an average growth of 1.008 t/ha/year. However, there were differences in carbon stocks in different management regimes. The minor forests that are subjected to intense human pressures had a negative growth rate, i.e. 0.237 t/ha/year, while the reserve forests have a carbon assimilation rate of 1.31 t/ha/year. This indicates that human pressure has certainly decreased the carbon accumulation in the forests of Uttara Kannada. Despite the anthropogenic pressure, the minor forests have higher carbon accumulation through recruits as compared to the reserve forests. Thus it is suggested that a management strategy is needed to look into enhancing recruitment patterns in the minor forests which would become future carbon stocks.     

Concentrations and speciation of arsenic in groundwater polluted by warfare agents

Groundwater polluted with phenylarsenicals from former warfare agent deposits and their metabolites was investigated with respect to the behavior of relevant arsenic species. Depth profiles at the estimated source and at about 1 km downgradient from the source zone were sampled. The source zone is characterized by high total arsenic concentrations up to 16 mg L⁻¹ and is dominated by organic arsenic compounds. The concentrations in the downgradient region are much lower (up to 400 μg L⁻¹) and show a high proportion of inorganic arsenic species. Iron precipitation seems to be an effective mechanism to prevent dispersion of inorganic arsenic as well as phenylarsonic acid. Reductive conditions were observed in the deeper zone with predominant occurrence of trivalent arsenic species. The inorganic species are in redox equilibrium, whereas the phenylarsenic compounds have variable proportions. Methylphenylarsinic acid was identified in groundwater in traces which indicates microbial degradation activity.     

A novel low-cost detection method for screening of arsenic in groundwater

In the present work, a novel and simple detection system for As inorganic species contained in groundwater is presented. To reach the required detection limit, the proposed methodology is based on two steps: first is the transport and preconcentration of the inorganic arsenic species using a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) system and second is the formation of a coloured complex, the  absorbance of which is measured. Different parameters related to the membrane composition and the transport kinetics have been studied, and it was found that membranes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a polymer, and Aliquat 336 as a carrier, ensured efficient arsenic transport when the carrier content was at least 31 % (w/w). The implementation of the designed PIM in a special device that contained only 5 mL of the stripping solution (0.1 M NaCl) allowed As preconcentration from a 100-mL water sample, thus facilitating its detection with the colorimetric method. The new method developed here was validated, and its analytical figures of merit were determined, i.e. limit of detection of 4.5 μg L^?1 at 820 nm and a relative standard deviation within the range 8–10 %. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of different water samples from Catalonia region with naturally occurring As.     

Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review

Using mainly United Kingdom estuaries as examples, various factors governing the bioavailability, bioaccumulation and biological effects of heavy metals in sediment-dominated estuaries are reviewed. Estuaries and metals primarily discussed include the Mersey (Hg, methylmercury; Pb, alkyllead), the Loughor (Cr, Sn), the Severn (Ag, Cd), the Fal (As, Cu, Sn, Zn), Poole Harbour (Cd, Hg, Se, tributyltin) and Southampton Water (tributyltin). Concentrations and bioavailabilities of metals in estuarine sediments depend on many different processes. Examples include (1) mobilisation of metals to the interstitial water and their chemical speciation, (2) transformation (e.g. methylation) of metals including As, Hg, Pb and Sn (3) the control exerted by major sediment components (e.g. oxides of Fe and organics) to which metals are preferentially bound, (4) competition between sediment metals (e.g. Cu and Ag; Zn and Cd) for uptake sites in organisms, and (5) the influence of bioturbation, salinity, redox or pH on these processes. Under field conditions, identification of dominant processes can be achieved by observing the goodness of fit between metal concentrations in ubiquitous deposit-feeding species and levels in various types of sediment extract over a wide spectrum of sediment types. Factors of more local importance are often indicated by the marked deviation of some points from otherwise excellent relationships. For example, points lying above the line relating tissue Sn concentrations in the clam Scrobicularia plana to those in 1 n HCl extracts of sediments were found to reflect the accumulation of tributyltin, a more readily bioavailable form of Sn. In the same species, unexpectedly high tissue-Cu concentrations were characteristic of very anoxic in sediments and tissue And As and Pb concentrations were suppressed in sediments having high concentrations of Fe oxides. Under field conditions, examples of deleterious effects on benthic organisms that can be attributed to specific metallic pollutants are comparatively rare. Effects of tributyltins from antifouling paints on oysters and neogastropods have been documented and their toxicity has undoubtedly led to environmental degradation in many UK estuaries and coastal areas. In estuaries contaminated with metal-mining wastes, the effects of Cu and Zn on species distribution can be observed, but they are generally less obvious than would be predicted from experimental data. Effects are ameliorated by the induction of metal tolerance mechanisms in some species and in others by the appearance of tolerant strains. The induction of metal detoxification systems involving the formation of granules or metal-binding proteins leads in some species to tissue concentrations that are orders of magnitude higher than normal. For example, high concentrations of Cd and Ag have been found in some species from the Severn Estuary, although there is no unequivocal evidence that either metal has caused deleterious effects on benthic populations. On the other hand, experimental studies with Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg and Zn show that they are toxic to some species at environmentally realistic levels. Since pollutants rarely occur singly, it is likely that in many moderately contaminated estuaries metals contribute to the stress to organisms caused by substances requiring detoxification. There has been much speculation over the years concerning the biomagnification of metals with increasing trophic levels along food chains. Whilst animals having higher metal concentrations than their prey are sometimes found, the only consistent evidence of biomagnification concerns methylmercury. When estuarine birds are considered, there are relatively few instances in which deleterious effects can unequivocally be attributed to metals or their compounds. However, the Mersey bird kill was attributable to alkyllead pollution from industry. Among other organometals, methylmercury has proved toxic to birds but, so far, no evidence for the toxicity of tributyltin has been reported. However, the compound may have affected bird populations through its effects on the abundance of prey organisms, particularly estuarine molluscs. Of the inorganic forms of metals, Pb in the form of shot has caused problems in many areas and Cd, Hg and Se are suspected of causing toxic effects. There is little field evidence that birds have been affected by Ag, As, Cr, Cu or Zn individually. On the other hand, it is difficult to exclude the possibility that, additively, these metals may produce a significant effect. In part, the lack of evidence reflects the fact that relatively little research has been done. There is scope for more work on metals and organometals in estuarine birds, particularly with regard to their metabolism and their effects on juveniles and individuals subjected to stresses such as starvation.     

Co-contamination of arsenic and fluoride in the groundwater of unconsolidated aquifers under reducing environments

The co-contamination of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F⁻) in shallow aquifers is frequently observed worldwide, and the correlations between those contaminants are different according to the redox conditions. This study geochemically explores the reasons for the co-contamination and for the redox-dependent correlations by investigating the groundwater of an alluvial aquifer in Korea. Geochemical signatures of the groundwater in the study area show that the As concentrations are enriched by the reductive dissolution of Fe-(hydr)oxides, and the correlations between As and F⁻ concentrations are poor comparatively to those observed in the oxidizing aquifers. However, F⁻ concentrations are strongly dependent on pH. Desorption/adsorption experiments using raw soils and citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite treated soils indicated that Fe-(hydr)oxides are the important As and F⁻ hosts causing the co-contamination phenomenon. The weaker correlation between F⁻ and As in reducing aquifers is likely to be associated with sulfate reduction, which removes As from groundwater without changing the F⁻ concentration.     

Causes of heavy metal contamination in groundwater of Tuticorin industrial block,Tamil Nadu,India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Groundwater is the major freshwater resource in urban and rural areas of India that provides potable water. The quality evaluation of existing...     

Heavy metals from the River Adayar,India: infiltration into the adjacent groundwater aquifer

In the Adayar riverbed and its estuary 5 undisturbed sediment cores were drilled using a petrol-driven hammer. Cores of a depth of 4-5 m were sampled in 0.5 m steps. The distribution of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the top layers of fluvial and estuarine sediments indicates recent anthropogenic input: Revealing that the river acts as a sink for drainage from the residential and industrial zones. In this study, the mobilization of heavy metals into greater depths and their probable effects on the groundwater body are discussed. The high concentration of heavy metals and the influent character of the river Adayar allow the mobilization of metal ions and their transport into the deeper layers of the sediment. A changing environment due to effects such as saltwater intrusion and monsoon floods is the driving force for this phenomenon.     

Hydrogeochemical comparison and effects of overlapping redox zones on groundwater arsenic near the Western (Bhagirathi sub-basin, India) and Eastern (Meghna sub-basin, Bangladesh) margins of the Bengal Basin

Although arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater in the Bengal Basin has received wide attention over the past decade, comparative studies of hydrogeochemistry in geologically different sub-basins within the basin have been lacking. Groundwater samples were collected from sub-basins in the western margin (River Bhagirathi sub-basin, Nadia, India; 90 samples) and eastern margin (River Meghna sub-basin; Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh; 35 samples) of the Bengal Basin. Groundwater in the western site (Nadia) has mostly Ca-HCO(3) water while that in the eastern site (Brahmanbaria) is much more variable consisting of at least six different facies. The two sites show differences in major and minor solute trends indicating varying pathways of hydrogeochemical evolution However, both sites have similar reducing, postoxic environments (p(e): +5 to -2) with high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, indicating dominantly metal-reducing processes and similarity in As mobilization mechanism. The trends of various redox-sensitive solutes (e.g. As, CH(4), Fe, Mn, NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), SO(4)(2-)) indicate overlapping redox zones, leading to partial redox equilibrium conditions where As, once liberated from source minerals, would tend to remain in solution because of the complex interplay among the electron acceptors.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater uses for agricultural and drinking and groundwater quality of pollution index in the western part of Telangana,South India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected in the western part of Nizamabad district, Telangana State, India. The results obtained were...