Assessment of natural arsenic in groundwater in Cordoba Province,Argentina |
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Authors: | Franco M Francisca Magalí E Carro Perez |
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Institution: | (1) National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina;(2) Civil Constructions Department, National University of Cordoba (UNC), Av. Velez Sarsfield 1611, Cordoba, 5016, Argentina |
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Abstract: | Groundwater in the central part of Argentina contains arsenic concentrations that, in most cases, exceed the value suggested
by international regulations. In this region, Quaternary loessical sediments with a very high volcanic glass fraction lixiviate
arsenic and fluoride after weathering. The objectives of this study are to analyze the spatial distribution of arsenic in
different hydrogeological regions, to define the naturally expected concentration in an aquifer by means of hydrogeochemistry
studies, and to identify emergent health evidences related to cancer mortality in the study area. The correlation between
arsenic and fluoride concentrations in groundwater is analyzed at each county in the Cordoba Province. Two dimensionless geoindicators
are proposed to identify risk zones and to rapidly visualize the groundwater quality related to the presence of arsenic and
fluoride. A surface-mapping system is used to identify the spatial variability of concentrations and for suggesting geoindicators.
The results show that the Chaco-Pampean plain hydrogeologic region is the most affected area, with arsenic and fluoride concentrations
in groundwater being generally higher than the values suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water.
Mortality related to kidney, lung, liver, and skin cancer in this area could be associated to the ingestion of arsenic-contaminated
water. Generated maps provide a base for the assessment of the risk associated to the natural occurrence of arsenic and fluoride
in the region. |
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