Arsenic-contaminated groundwater endangers the health of millions of people in southern Asia. In this focus issue we gather together articles on the origin and fate of arsenic in groundwater, together with opinion pieces outlining options for dealing with the problem, and backstories detailing some of the challenges faced by the researchers.
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Progress Article
Vulnerability of deep groundwater in the Bengal Aquifer System to contamination by arsenic
W. G. Burgess, M. A. Hoque, H. A. Michael, C. I. Voss, G. N. Breit & K. M. Ahmed
doi:10.1038/ngeo750
Arsenic levels in shallow groundwater in the Bengal Basin exceed thresholds for safe drinking water. Groundwater modelling indicates that deep wells that reach safe water below 150 m could remain safe for centuries if used for domestic water only, whereas the intensive use of deep groundwater for irrigation could contaminate this resource within decades.
Abstract | Full text - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future | PDF (1,093KB) - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future
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Articles
Anthropogenic influences on groundwater arsenic concentrations in Bangladesh - pp46 - 52
Rebecca B. Neumann, Khandaker N. Ashfaque, A. B. M. Badruzzaman, M. Ashraf Ali, Julie K. Shoemaker & Charles F. Harvey
doi:10.1038/ngeo685
Microbially mediated oxidation of organic carbon is thought to drive the release of arsenic into groundwater. Hydrological and geochemical analyses suggest that pond water is the source of organic carbon in groundwater in Bangladesh.
Abstract | Full text - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future | PDF (820KB) - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future
Arsenic release from paddy soils during monsoon flooding - pp53 - 59
Linda C. Roberts, Stephan J. Hug, Jessica Dittmar, Andreas Voegelin, Ruben Kretzschmar, Bernhard Wehrli, Olaf A. Cirpka, Ganesh C. Saha, M. Ashraf Ali & A. Borhan M. Badruzzaman
doi:10.1038/ngeo723
Bangladesh relies heavily on groundwater for the irrigation of dry-season rice. Analysis of soil porewater and floodwater in rice paddy fields during the monsoon season in Bangladesh suggests that flooding removes a significant amount of the arsenic from soils.
Abstract | Full text - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future | PDF (1,062KB) - Integrated nanoelectronics for the future
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From the archives
Rising arsenic risk?-
David Polya & Laurent Charlet
doi:10.1038/ngeo537
Millions of people in southern Asia rely on arsenic-contaminated groundwater to live. Massive water withdrawals through wells may be increasing the problem by drawing arsenic-mobilizing substances into shallow aquifers and arsenic-contaminated shallow groundwaters into deeper aquifers.
Full text | PDF (286KB)
Arsenic meets dense populations-
Alexander van Geen
doi:10.1038/ngeo268
In the South Asian lowlands, high population density coincides with dangerous levels of arsenic in groundwater. Maps based on surface geology can help identify regions at risk of arsenic contamination.
Full text | PDF (613KB)
Predicting groundwater arsenic contamination in Southeast Asia from surface parameters -
Lenny Winkel, Michael Berg, Manouchehr Amini, Stephan J. Hug & C. Annette Johnson
doi:10.1038/ngeo254
Arsenic contamination of groundwater resources threatens the health of millions of people in the densely populated river deltas of Southeast Asia. Holocene deltaic and organic-rich surface sediments are key indicators for arsenic risk areas.
Abstract | Full text | PDF (1,164KB)
All hands to the pump -
Lenny Winkel
doi:10.1038/ngeo266
Lenny Winkel and colleagues found that strong arm muscles can be required to test South Sumatran groundwater samples for arsenic content.
Full text | PDF (233KB)