Scholarly record
ARSENIC TOXICITY IN GROUNDWATER OF TERAI BASIN OF NEPAL: A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
Abstract
Naturally occurring arsenic (As) in groundwater of sedimentary aquifer has emerged as a global problem, and issue of major environmental health concern. Most groundwater from the Terai Basin of Nepal is contaminated by excess arsenic. Such groundwater is widely used for drinking and irrigation purpose and makes easy means of direct entrance of arsenic into human body and food chain; and that affects human health adversely. This paper evaluates the state of arsenic contamination in the six Terai districts of Nepal and its adverse effects in human health and environment. Furthermore, attempts have been done for feasible mitigation measures of the region. Result shows groundwater from the shallow alluvial aquifers is highly contaminated by excess arsenic and widespread by comparing WHO guideline value (10 ppb) and Nepal Interim Standard value (50 ppb) all of the studied districts.
Publication details
References20
Anon. 2000b. Available from http://www.lehigh.edu/pamd/arsenic.html. Arsenic Nepal, 2003. Update data from Arsenic Nepal, 2003 ATFGL, 2004. Arsenic Testing and Finalization of Groundwater Legalization Project, Poce.of the Semi. on Arsenic Study in Groundwater of Terai and Project Report. 96p.
Bhattacharya, P., Jacks, G., Larsson, M., Leiss, A., Bhattacharyya, R., Chatterjee, D., and Bromssen, M. von. 2000. Suitability of low-cost remediation techniques for the amendment of high arsenic groundwater in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Abstract, International Workshop on Control of Arsenic Concentration in Groundwater, PHED,
Calcutta, January 5–6:33–33a.
Fazal, M.A. and Kawachi T., 2001. Extent and Severity of Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh. Water International, 26(3): 370-379.
Gurung, J. K., Ishiga, H. and Khadka, M.S., (2005). Geological and Geochemical Examination of Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater in the Holocence Terai Basin, Nepal. Env. Geol., 49: 98-113. 9
Jacks, G., and Bhattacharya, P. 1998. Arsenic contamination in the environment due to the use of CCA-wood preservatives. In Arsenic in wood preservatives, Part I. Exemption substances.
Korte, N.E., and Fernando, Q. 1991. A review of arsenic (III) in ground-water. Crit. Rev. Environ. Control, 21(1): 1-39.
Larsson, M., Leiss, A., Bhattacharya, P., Jacks, G., and Chatterjee, D. 1999. High- arsenic groundwater in West Bengal, India: Test of laterite as a filter media. Nord. Soc. Clay Res., Medd. 12: 12–14.
Mitra, A.K., Bose, B.K., Kabir, H., Das, B.K. Hussain, M., (2004). Arsenic-related health problems among hospital patients in south Bangladesh. J Health popul Nutr; 20:
Morton, W.E., and Dunnette, D.A. 1994. Health effects of environmental arsenic. In Arsenic in the environment, Vol II. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y. pp.17–34.
Mukherjee, A.B., & Bhattacharya, P., 2001. Arsenic in groundwater in the Bengal Delta Plain: slow poisoning in Bangladesh;Environ. Rev. 9: 189-220. Nagarnaki P.B., Bhole, A.G., and Nataranjan, G.S., 2002. Arsenic removal of ground water- a state of art, Water Res. Journal, pp. 51-66. NASC, 2005. Update data from National Arsenic Steering Committee, Nepal. Unpub. report.
Pokrovski, G., Gout, R., Schott, J., Zotov, A., and Harrichoury, J.C. 1996. Thermodynamic properties and stoichiometry of As (III) hydroxide complexes at hydrothermal conditions. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 60(5): 737–749. RVWMP, 2004. Final project document. Unpublished report. Rular Village Water Resources Management Project-Nepal, 8p.
Sah, R.B., Thakur, P. K., Gurmaita, H.N. and Paudal, K.R., 2003. Studies for Possible Sources of Arsenic Poisoning of Groundwater in Terai Plain of Nepal. Journal of Stratigraphic Association of Nepal. 4: 1-12.
Sharma, R.M., 1999. Research Study of Possible Contamination of Groundwater with Arsenic in Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts of Eastern Terai of Nepal. Unpublished report. Department of Water Supply & Sewerage and WHO.
Shrestha, R.R., Shrestha, M.P., Upadhyay, N.P., Pradhan R., khadka, R., Maskey, A.,
Maharjan, M., Tuladhar, S., Dhal, B.M. Shrestha, K. (2004). Groundwater Arsenic
Contamination, Its Health Impact and Mitigation Programme in Nepal. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substance & Environmental Engineering. 38 (1): 185-200.
Shrestha, B.R., Whitney, J. W., and Shrestha, K.B., 2003. The state of Arsenic in Nepal-2003. National Arsenic Setting Committee (NASC), Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu, Nepal, 126p.
Thornton, I.., 1999. Arsenic in the global environment: Looking towards the millennium. In Arsenic Exposure and Health Effects. Edited by W.R. Chappell, C.O. Abemathy, and R.L. Calderon. Elsevier Science B.V. pp. 1–8. WHO, 1981. Arsenic. Environmental Health Criteria-18, World Health Organization,
Geneva, Switzerland.174 p. 10 WHO,1999. Arsenic in drinking water: fact sheet 210.http://www.who.int/inf- fs/en/fact210.html (accessed on 27 January 2003).
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.