High Arsenic Concentrations in Groundwater Along the Indus River

Underlying the IRB, groundwater has been a major source of fresh water used for agriculture, industry, and drinking. High concentrations of arsenic were found near industrial areas, indicating the presence of untreated industrial water.

In the past year, lack of sustainable river flow has disintegrated the delta ecosystem if the IRB (Indus River Basin). The area has limited crop production, and fish and mangrove depletion due to salinity. Water pollution has reached high levels due to a disposal of untreated domestic, agricultural and industrial waste in the river and tributaries. The Indus basin irrigation system brought water and irritated the land but over-irrigation has disturbed the water balance and caused water logging.

In the recent published study by Podgroski (2017), groundwater quality was tested along the Indus River and its tributaries, including Multan, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and around Hyderabad. The shocking results revealed extremely high concentrations, above 200 ng.ml-1. Thisalarmed 50 to 60 million people who reside in the identified hotspots. The authorrecommended further research to determine the exact reason of this contamination.

Arsenic is a major heavy metal naturally present in the soil. It is the most common inorganic water contaminant globally. It is a tasteless and odorless, and it can be detected in a laboratory only. It is highly toxic, hence in the US its safe limit was reduced from 50 to 10 ppb. Long-term ingestion of arsenic even in low concentrations can be lethal.

The major source of arsenic poisoning can be contaminated drinking water. However, some crops can uptake arsenic and on regular consumption can create toxicity.

The presence of arsenic in high concentration can be due to the release of arsenic from the soil. This is often caused by the microbial activity due to availability of organic matter. The other reason can be pumping depth, as some experts suggest a combination of shallow and deep pumping can help to reduce arsenic contamination. Direct disposal of industrial and agricultural waste is a common practice in Pakistan. It can be another major reason since arsenic is largely used in agriculture and industry e.g. used in insecticides and poisons.

Source: Daily Times

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Taxonomy

• Arsenic
• Environmental Health
• Groundwater
• River Studies
• Environment
• Groundwater Assessment
• Groundwater Pollution
• Groundwater Quality & Quantity
• Inorganic Chemicals