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Demissie S, Mekonen S, Awoke T, Teshome B, Mengistie B. Examining carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks related to arsenic exposure in Ethiopia: A longitudinal study. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:100-110. [PMID: 38229921 PMCID: PMC10789645 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The carcinogenic properties of arsenic make it one of the most hazardous chemicals globally. Nevertheless, the exact level of human exposure to arsenic and the associated risks of cancer and non-cancer effects through different pathways in Ethiopia are still uncertain. Objective The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of both cancer and non-cancer outcomes among children and adults who have been exposed to arsenic through drinking water in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district of Ethiopia. Methods For this study, a longitudinal study design was employed. A total of 45 groundwater sources were sampled using the census sampling method. The concentrations of total arsenic were measured using Agilent 7900 series inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessments were conducted by calculating lifetime cancer risk and hazard quotients. Microsoft Office Excel was utilized to calculate human health risk indices, and descriptive statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software. Results Our findings revealed that during the dry season, the mean arsenic concentration in the groundwater samples was 11.15 ± 9.38 µg/L, while during the rainy season, it was 10.67 ± 8.16 µg/L. The total cancer risk for children, resulting from oral ingestion and skin contact, was 1.15 × 10-2 and 1.07 × 10-2 during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. For adults, the total cancer risk from oral ingestion and skin contact during the dry and rainy seasons was 4.95 × 10-3 and 4.59 × 10-3, respectively. Furthermore, the total hazard quotients for children via oral ingestion and skin absorption were 25.9 and 24.0 during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. For adults, the total hazard quotients from ingestion and dermal contact during the dry and rainy seasons were 11 and 10, respectively. Conclusions The findings indicate that the risks of cancer and non-cancer effects resulting from arsenic exposure through ingestion and dermal exposure were found to exceed the acceptable thresholds in both seasons. These results emphasize the urgent need for focused attention on the study population in the study area due to the high likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Demissie
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Seblework Mekonen
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Awoke
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Birhanu Teshome
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Bezatu Mengistie
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
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2
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Rahmani A, Khamutian S, Doosti-Irani A, Saatchi O, Shokoohizadeh MJ. Arsenic level in drinking water, its correlation with water quality parameters, and associated health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:899. [PMID: 37380884 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and likelihood of health risks related to arsenic in drinking water of all counties of the Hamadan province in the northwest of Iran. In this work, 370 samples were collected from all of the water resources of urban and rural regions, during 5 years (2017 to 2021). Oracle Crystal Ball software was used to perform the Monte Carlo simulation and investigate the potential health risks. According to the results, the average values of arsenic in the nine counties were in the order Kabudarahang (40.1 ppb), Malayer (13.1 ppb), Nahavand (6.1 ppb), Bahar (2.05 ppb), Famenin (0.41 ppb), Asadabad (0.36 ppb), Tuyserkan (0.28 ppb), Razan (0.14 ppb), and Hamadan (< 0.1 ppb). The highest concentration of arsenic occurred in Kabudarahang with a maximum value of 185 ppb. In the spring season, the average concentration of the cations, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, lead, cadmium, and chromium, obtained 109.51 mg/l, 44.67 mg/l, 20.50 mg/l, 88.76 ppb, 0.31 ppb, and 0.02 ppb, respectively. Based on the Delphi classification, the P 90% of oral lifetime cancer risk, in Hamadan province, were within level II (low risk) to VII (extremely high risk). The risk analysis revealed there was a possible carcinogenic risk to humans from oral exposure to As-contaminated groundwater, especially in Kabudarahang county. Therefore, there is an urgent need for management and precise measures in contaminated areas to reduce and prevent the adverse health effects of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Rahmani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Research Centre for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Samira Khamutian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Research Centre for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amin Doosti-Irani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Omid Saatchi
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Deputy of Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Shokoohizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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3
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Arienzo MM, Saftner D, Bacon SN, Robtoy E, Neveux I, Schlauch K, Carbone M, Grzymski J. Naturally occurring metals in unregulated domestic wells in Nevada, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158277. [PMID: 36029812 PMCID: PMC9588670 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The dominant source of drinking water in rural Nevada, United States, is privately-owned domestic wells. Because the water from these wells is unregulated with respect to government guidelines, it is the owner's responsibility to test their groundwater for heavy metals and other contaminants. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and uranium have been previously measured at concentrations above Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines in Nevada groundwater. This is a public health concern because elevated levels of these metals are known to have negative health effects. We recruited individuals through a population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project, to submit drinking water samples from domestic wells for testing. Water samples were returned from 174 households with private wells. We found 22 % had arsenic concentrations exceeding the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 μg/L. Additionally, federal, state, or health-based guidelines were exceeded for 8 % of the households for uranium and iron, 6 % for lithium and manganese, 4 % for molybdenum, and 1 % for lead. The maximum observed concentrations of arsenic, uranium, and lead were ∼80, ∼5, and ∼1.5 times the EPA guideline values, respectively. 41 % of households had a treatment system and submitted both pre- and post-treatment water samples from their well. The household treatments were shown to reduce metal concentrations, but concentrations above guideline values were still observed. Many treatment systems cannot reduce the concentration below guideline values because of water chemistry, treatment failure, or improper treatment techniques. These results show the pressing need for continued education and outreach on regular testing of domestic well waters, proper treatment types, and health effects of metal contamination. These findings are potentially applicable to other arid areas where groundwater contamination of naturally occurring heavy metals occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica M Arienzo
- Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA.
| | - Daniel Saftner
- Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Steven N Bacon
- Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Erika Robtoy
- Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Iva Neveux
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Karen Schlauch
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Joseph Grzymski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA; Renown Health, Reno, NV, USA
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Goswami R, Neog N, Bhagat C, Hdeib R, Mahlknecht J, Kumar M. Arsenic in the groundwater of the Upper Brahmaputra floodplain: Variability, health risks and potential impacts. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 306:135621. [PMID: 35810873 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The upper Brahmaputra floodplain (UBF) is highly enriched with geogenic contaminants, mostly the Arsenic (As), owing to its sensitive geomorphology, aquifer groundwater (GW) dynamics, huge sediment deposition along with natural and anthropogenic disturbance significantly accelerate the As leaching rate into the groundwater, leading to an increase the health risk. Concerning the above active processes in the Lakhimpur district of UBF, current work aims to investigate seasonal dynamics of As contamination and associated health hazard for local community. To carry out this study, 51 GW samples analyzed which reveal the seasonal variation in As concentrations with the minimum average concentration in the monsoon season (4.7 μg.L-1) and the maximum in the post-monsoon season (18.5 μg.L-1) with 50% of the samples exceeding permissible limits. The differences in the local geological conditions and the GW flow may contribute to the spatial variations in mean As concentration in the study area. Also, the active GW recharge process identified in post-monsoon season accelerates the As leaching in the area's aquifers. Further, results indicate higher As levels associated with a pH range of 6-7 favours As desorption from minerals under reducing conditions. The hazard index indicates that the children population has high carcinogenic risk compared to adult populations. Furthermore, the study highlights the social risk potential arising from public health crises due to As exposure. Overall, results indicate high As concentrations in region with moderate seasonal variability and demand a dire attention for long-term monitoring to provide sustainable water resources to safeguard the people at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritusmita Goswami
- Centre for Ecology Environment and Sustainable Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, 781013, Assam, India
| | - Nikita Neog
- Centre for Ecology Environment and Sustainable Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, 781013, Assam, India
| | - Chandrashekhar Bhagat
- Civil Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rouya Hdeib
- College of Engineering, Applied Science University (ASU), Bahrain
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterey, Monterrey, 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
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5
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Kaplan DI, Nichols R, Xu C, Lin P, Yeager C, Santschi PH. Large seasonal fluctuations of groundwater radioiodine speciation and concentrations in a riparian wetland in South Carolina. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 816:151548. [PMID: 34780820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies evaluating multiple years of groundwater radioiodine (129I) concentration in a riparian wetland located in South Carolina, USA identified strong seasonal concentration fluctuations, such that summer concentrations were much greater than winter concentrations. These fluctuations were observed only in the wetlands but not in the upland portion of the plume and only with 129I, and not with other contaminants of anthropogenic origin: nitrate/nitrite, strontium-90, technecium-99, tritium, or uranium. This unexplained observation was hypothesized to be the result of strongly coupled processes involving hydrology, water temperature, microbiology, and chemistry. To test this hypothesis, an extensive historical groundwater database was evaluated, and additional measurements of total iodine and iodine speciation were made from recently collected samples. During the summer, the water table decreased by as much as 0.7 m, surface water temperature increased by as much as 15 °C, and total iodine concentrations were consistently greater (up to 680%) than the following winter months. Most of the additional iodine observed in the summer could be attributed to proportional gains in organo-iodine, and not iodide or iodate. Furthermore, 129I concentrations were observed to be two-orders-of-magnitude greater at the bottom of the upland aquifer than at the top. A coupled hydrological and biogeochemical conceptual model is proposed to tie these observations together. First, as the surface water temperature increased during the summer, microbial activity was enhanced, which in turn stimulated the formation of mobile organo-I. Hydrological processes were also likely involved in the observed iodine seasonal changes: (1) as the water table decreased in summer, the remaining upland water entering the wetland was comprised of a greater proportion of water containing elevated iodine concentrations from the low depths, and (2) water flow paths in summer changed such that the wells intercepted more of the contaminant plume and less of the diluting rainwater (due to evapotranspiration) and streamwater (as the lower levels promote a predominantly recharging system). These results underscore the importance of coupled processes influencing contaminant concentrations, and the need to assess seasonal contaminant variations to optimize long-term monitoring programs of wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel I Kaplan
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, United States.
| | - Ralph Nichols
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, United States
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX 77551, United States
| | - Peng Lin
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX 77551, United States
| | - Chris Yeager
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, United States
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX 77551, United States
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Nilkarnjanakul W, Watchalayann P, Chotpantarat S. Spatial distribution and health risk assessment of As and Pb contamination in the groundwater of Rayong Province, Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111838. [PMID: 34425115 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the presence of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in groundwater and their spatial distribution in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, Thailand. Forty groundwater samples were collected at different locations in the dry and wet seasons during March and August of 2019, respectively. The hydrochemical facies illustrate that the major groundwater types in both seasons mainly consisted of Ca-Na-HCO3, Ca-HCO3-Cl and Na-HCO3 types. The concentration of As ranged from <0.300 to 183.00 μg/L, accounting for 22% (18 of 80 samples), exceeding the WHO guidelines of 10 μg/L. The spatial distribution of As was distinctly predominant as a hot spot in some areas during the wet season. The wells may have been contaminated from human activity and thus constituted a point source in the adjacent area. For Pb, its concentration in all the wells were not exceeded 10 μg/L of the WHO guidelines, appearing as a background concentration in this area. Most of the wells were shown to be in an oxidation state, supporting AsV mobility. Moreover, the area also had a nearly neutral pH that promoted AsV desorption, while the presence of undissolved Pb in the aquifers tended to increase. Furthermore, chemical applications to agricultural processes could release the As composition into the groundwater. The health risk resulting from oral consumption was at a higher risk level than dermal contact. The non-carcinogenic risk affecting the adult population exceeded the threshold level by approximately 27.5% of the wells, while for the children group, the risk level was within the limit. Total cancer risk (TCR) of adult residents exceeded the acceptable risk level (1 × 10-6) in all wells, causing carcinogenic health effects. Therefore, health surveillance is important in monitoring the toxic effects on the local residents who use groundwater from these contaminated wells. Furthermore, a sanitation service and an alternative treatment of the water supply will be needed, especially in wells with high As levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiyada Nilkarnjanakul
- Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand.
| | - Pensri Watchalayann
- Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand.
| | - Srilert Chotpantarat
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Research Program on Controls of Hazardous Contaminants in Raw Water Resources for Water Scarcity Resilience, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; Research Unit Control of Emerging Micropollutants in Environment, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Thailand.
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7
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Mailloux BJ, Procopio NA, Bakker M, Chen T, Choudhury I, Ahmed KM, Mozumder MRH, Ellis T, Chillrud S, van Geen A. Recommended Sampling Intervals for Arsenic in Private Wells. GROUND WATER 2021; 59:80-89. [PMID: 32483831 PMCID: PMC8055375 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Geogenic arsenic in drinking water is a worldwide problem. For private well owners, testing (e.g., private or government laboratory) is the main method to determine arsenic concentration. However, the temporal variability of arsenic concentrations is not well characterized and it is not clear how often private wells should be tested. To answer this question, three datasets, two new and one publicly available, with temporal arsenic data were utilized: 6370 private wells from New Jersey tested at least twice since 2002, 2174 wells from the USGS NAWQA database, and 391 private wells sampled 14 years apart from Bangladesh. Two arsenic drinking water standards are used for the analysis: 10 µg/L, the WHO guideline and EPA standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL) and 5 µg/L, the New Jersey MCL. A rate of change was determined for each well and these rates were used to predict the temporal change in arsenic for a range of initial arsenic concentrations below an MCL. For each MCL and initial concentration, the probability of exceeding an MCL over time was predicted. Results show that to limit a person to below a 5% chance of drinking water above an MCL, wells that are ½ an MCL and above should be tested every year and wells below ½ an MCL should be tested every 5 years. These results indicate that one test result below an MCL is inadequate to ensure long-term compliance. Future recommendations should account for temporal variability when creating drinking water standards and guidance for private well owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Mailloux
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, NY, NY 10027
- Correspondence to:
| | - Nicholas A. Procopio
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, Trenton, NJ 08064
| | - Mark Bakker
- Water Management Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Therese Chen
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, NY, NY 10027
| | | | | | | | - Tyler Ellis
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964
| | - Steve Chillrud
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964
| | - Alexander van Geen
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964
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Abstract
Several confirmed cases of arsenic (As) poisoning have been reported in Central Luzon, the Philippines, in recent years. There is a growing interest in As research in the Philippines due to the reported As poisoning cases. However, an extensive spatiotemporal As study has not been conducted. In this work, As concentration measurements were conducted in 101 wells in Guagua, Pampanga, in Central Luzon, the Philippines, from November 2018 to November 2019. The wells included 86 public hand pumps, 10 pumping stations, and 5 private, jet-powered pumps. Using hydride generation—inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectroscopy (HG-ICP-OES), analysis of the wells in 12 barangays in Guagua revealed that 38.7% had average As concentrations beyond the 10 ppb limit with some wells having high Mn (4.0 ppm) and Fe (2.0 ppm) content as well. The high pH and reducing conditions in the wells in Guagua may have contributed to the persistence of As in the groundwater. The mean difference in wet season versus dry season As measurements were −4.4 (As < 10 ppb), −13.2 (10 to 50 ppb As), and −27.4 (As > 50 ppb). Eighty-three wells (82.2%) had higher As concentrations in the dry season, 8 wells (7.92%) had higher As concentrations in the wet season, 7 wells (6.93%) had no significant difference between the wet and dry season, and 3 wells had been decommissioned. These results indicate that there is a significant difference in As concentrations in the wet and dry seasons, and this could have implications in water treatment technology and policy implementation. The work resulted in the first year-long characterization of groundwater As in the Philippines.
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Libatique MJH, Lee MC, Yeh HY. Effect of Light Intensity on the Mechanism of Inorganic Arsenic Accumulation and Patterns in the Red Macroalga, Sarcodia suiae. Biol Trace Elem Res 2020; 195:291-300. [PMID: 31359334 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-01833-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic is a noted dangerous metalloid found in many organisms, including humans, that accumulate via food consumption of aquatic products such as macroalgae, particularly where they are a major component of the human diet. The mechanism of accumulation of inorganic arsenic (iAs) as the most toxic form of arsenic (As) was investigated under three different light intensities (LI) (30, 55, and 80 μmol photons m-2 s-1) at varied arsenite (As (III)) concentrations (conc) (0, 125, 250, and 500 μg L-1) using Sarcodia suiae, a red marine macroalga. The depigmentation of the algal fronds from deep red to slightly pinkish-orange and solid green has been confirmed as a form of developmental acclimation, and the direct toxic effects of conc and LI were manifested by the degree of severity of this symptom. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in iAs accumulation which depended upon conc and LI. Stepwise regression analysis showed LI as the second most important variable after conc in all treatments. S. suiae did not appear to intracellularly transform As (III) to arsenate (As (V)); hence, As (III) oxidation seemed to be a preliminary biotransformation as reflected by the dominance and increased accumulation of toxic As (III) by the alga. These findings may render it a prospective environmentally friendly candidate for reducing toxic As hazard risk and as a biological component in the treatment of wastewater. Moreover, these results also suggest that a more concerted effort is required in developing protocols for public health concerns regarding food safety and quality regulations in seafood and products sourced from macroalgae including S. suiae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meng-Chou Lee
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan.
- Center of Excellence for Ocean Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan.
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan.
| | - Han-Yang Yeh
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan
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Ali W, Rasool A, Junaid M, Zhang H. A comprehensive review on current status, mechanism, and possible sources of arsenic contamination in groundwater: a global perspective with prominence of Pakistan scenario. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2019; 41:737-760. [PMID: 30101397 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0169-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic(As)-mediated contamination of groundwater resources in different parts of the world is a consequence of natural or anthropogenic sources, leading to adverse effects on the environment and human health. Millions of people from different countries are unfortunately consuming groundwater contaminated with alarming levels of As. Exposure to the high concentration of As for an extended period of time can cause devastating effects on human health such as skin lesions, cardiac disorders, discolouration and cancer. Until 2018, about 11 districts of Sindh and Punjab provinces in Pakistan had been found with As contamination in groundwater beyond the national defined permissible level, i.e. 50 µg/L. Tharparkar and Hyderabad (in Sindh province) along Indus river and Lahore and Kasur (in Punjab province) are well-known hotspots sites of natural geogenic As contamination in groundwater. Higher levels of Sulfates (SO42-), Chloride (Cl-) and Carbonate (CO32-) along with the elevated values of electrical conductivity and basic pH, as well as augmented presence of "As V" species, were all an indication of oxidizing condition in groundwater, and these oxidizing conditions are identified as the primary mechanism of As contamination into aquifers of Pakistan via oxidative dissolution. The main aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current contamination status of As in groundwater water globally with a special focus on Pakistan scenario, isotopic evidence to track sources of groundwater recharge and its effects on As contamination in groundwater with various redox conditions prevailing in Pakistan. In addition, public health consequences of As contamination and mitigation strategies for As removal from water resources have been also highlighted. In this review, the data were extracted from various cutting edge studies published in national and international journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Atta Rasool
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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11
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Wen T, Niu X, Gonzales M, Zheng G, Li Z, Brantley SL. Big Groundwater Data Sets Reveal Possible Rare Contamination Amid Otherwise Improved Water Quality for Some Analytes in a Region of Marcellus Shale Development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:7149-7159. [PMID: 29783843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Eleven thousand groundwater samples collected in the 2010s in an area of Marcellus shale-gas development are analyzed to assess spatial and temporal patterns of water quality. Using a new data mining technique, we confirm previous observations that methane concentrations in groundwater tend to be naturally elevated in valleys and near faults, but we also show that methane is also more concentrated near an anticline. Data mining also highlights waters with elevated methane that are not otherwise explained by geologic features. These slightly elevated concentrations occur near 7 out of the 1,385 shale-gas wells and near some conventional gas wells in the study area. For ten analytes for which uncensored data are abundant in this 3,000 km2 rural region, concentrations are unchanged or improved as compared to samples analyzed prior to 1990. Specifically, TDS, Fe, Mn, sulfate, and pH show small but statistically significant improvement, and As, Pb, Ba, Cl, and Na show no change. Evidence from this rural area could document improved groundwater quality caused by decreased acid rain (pH, sulfate) since the imposition of the Clean Air Act or decreased steel production (Fe, Mn). Such improvements have not been reported in groundwater in more developed areas of the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wen
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Xianzeng Niu
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Matthew Gonzales
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Guanjie Zheng
- College of Information Sciences and Technology , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Zhenhui Li
- College of Information Sciences and Technology , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Susan L Brantley
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
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Radfard M, Yunesian M, Nabizadeh R, Biglari H, Nazmara S, Hadi M, Yousefi N, Yousefi M, Abbasnia A, Mahvi AH. Drinking water quality and arsenic health risk assessment in Sistan and Baluchestan, Southeastern Province, Iran. HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2018.1458210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Radfard
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Nabizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Biglari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Nazmara
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hadi
- Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Yousefi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Yousefi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Abbasnia
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mahvi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Munyangane P, Mouri H, Kramers J. Assessment of some potential harmful trace elements (PHTEs) in the borehole water of Greater Giyani, Limpopo Province, South Africa: possible implications for human health. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2017; 39:1201-1219. [PMID: 27744552 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9887-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted in order to evaluate the occurrence and distribution patterns of some potentially harmful trace elements in the borehole water of the Greater Giyani area, Limpopo, South Africa, and their possible implications on human health. Twenty-nine borehole water samples were collected in the dry season (July/August 2012) and another 27 samples from the same localities in the wet season (March 2013) from the study area. The samples were analysed for trace elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb) using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. The average concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Se, and Pb were 11.3, 0.3, 33.1, 7.1, and 6.0 µg/L in the dry season and 11.0, 0.3, 28.3, 4.2, and 6.6 µg/L in the wet season, respectively. There was evidence of seasonal fluctuations in concentrations of all analysed elements except for As, though Cd and Pb displayed low concentrations (<0.2 and <6.0 µg/L, respectively) in almost all sampled boreholes. Se and Cr concentrations slightly exceed the South African National Standard permissible limits for safe drinking water in few boreholes. A total of four boreholes exceeded the water quality guideline for As with two of these boreholes containing five times more As than the prescribed limit. The spatial distribution patterns of elevated As closely correlate with the underlying geology. The findings of this investigation have important implications for human health of the communities drinking from the affected boreholes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Portia Munyangane
- Limpopo Unit, Council for Geoscience, 30A Schoeman Street, Polokwane, 0700, South Africa
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Hassina Mouri
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa.
| | - Jan Kramers
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
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14
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El-Moselhy MM, Ates A, Çelebi A. Synthesis and characterization of hybrid iron oxide silicates for selective removal of arsenic oxyanions from contaminated water. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 488:335-347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Middleton DRS, Watts MJ, Hamilton EM, Fletcher T, Leonardi GS, Close RM, Exley KS, Crabbe H, Polya DA. Prolonged exposure to arsenic in UK private water supplies: toenail, hair and drinking water concentrations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2016; 18:562-74. [PMID: 27120003 DOI: 10.1039/c6em00072j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) in drinking water is an established cause of cancer and other adverse health effects. Arsenic concentrations >10 μg L(-1) were previously measured in 5% of private water supplies (PWS) in Cornwall, UK. The present study investigated prolongued exposure to As by measuring biomarkers in hair and toenail samples from 212 volunteers and repeated measurements of As in drinking water from 127 households served by PWS. Strong positive Pearson correlations (rp = 0.95) indicated stability of water As concentrations over the time period investigated (up to 31 months). Drinking water As concentrations were positively correlated with toenail (rp = 0.53) and hair (rp = 0.38) As concentrations - indicative of prolonged exposure. Analysis of washing procedure solutions provided strong evidence of the effective removal of exogenous As from toenail samples. Significantly higher As concentrations were measured in hair samples from males and smokers and As concentrations in toenails were negatively associated with age. A positive association between seafood consumption and toenail As and a negative association between home-grown vegetable consumption and hair As was observed for volunteers exposed to <1 As μg L(-1) in drinking water. These findings have important implications regarding the interpretation of toenail and hair biomarkers. Substantial variation in biomarker As concentrations remained unaccounted for, with soil and dust exposure as possible explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R S Middleton
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences & William Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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16
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Schaefer MV, Ying SC, Benner SG, Duan Y, Wang Y, Fendorf S. Aquifer Arsenic Cycling Induced by Seasonal Hydrologic Changes within the Yangtze River Basin. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:3521-3529. [PMID: 26788939 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of groundwater containing >10 μg L(-1) arsenic (As) adversely impacts more than 100 million people worldwide. Multiyear trends in aquifer As concentrations have been documented, but strong seasonal variations are not commonly observed. Here we report dramatic seasonal changes in As concentrations and aquifer chemistry within the Jianghan Plain of the Yangtze River, China. At some wells, concentrations fluctuate by more than an order of magnitude within a single year (100-1200 μg L(-1)). Groundwater extraction and sustained water levels of surface channels during the dry season induces a strong downward hydraulic gradient, seasonally supplying oxidizing (oxygen, nitrate) water to the otherwise anoxic aquifer. Oxygen and/or nitrate addition promotes a transient drop in As concentrations for 1-3 months. When recharge ceases, reducing, low-arsenic conditions are reestablished by reactive, endogenous organic carbon. Temporal variability in As concentrations is especially problematic because it increases the probability of false-negative well testing during low-arsenic seasons. However, periods of low As may also provide a source of less toxic water for irrigation or other uses. Our results highlight the vulnerability and variability of groundwater resources in the Jianghan Plain and other inland basins within Asia to changing geochemical conditions, both natural and anthropogenic, and reinforce that continued monitoring of wells in high-risk regions is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Schaefer
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Samantha C Ying
- Environmental Sciences Department, University of California - Riverside , Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Shawn G Benner
- Department of Geosciences, Boise State University , Boise, Idaho 83725, United States
| | - Yanhua Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences , Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences , Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Scott Fendorf
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Akter T, Jhohura FT, Akter F, Chowdhury TR, Mistry SK, Dey D, Barua MK, Islam MA, Rahman M. Water Quality Index for measuring drinking water quality in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2016; 35:4. [PMID: 26860541 PMCID: PMC5025985 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-016-0041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health is at risk due to chemical contaminants in drinking water which may have immediate health consequences. Drinking water sources are susceptible to pollutants depending on geological conditions and agricultural, industrial, and other man-made activities. Ensuring the safety of drinking water is, therefore, a growing problem. To assess drinking water quality, we measured multiple chemical parameters in drinking water samples from across Bangladesh with the aim of improving public health interventions. METHODS In this cross-sectional study conducted in 24 randomly selected upazilas, arsenic was measured in drinking water in the field using an arsenic testing kit and a sub-sample was validated in the laboratory. Water samples were collected to test water pH in the laboratory as well as a sub-sample of collected drinking water was tested for water pH using a portable pH meter. For laboratory testing of other chemical parameters, iron, manganese, and salinity, drinking water samples were collected from 12 out of 24 upazilas. RESULTS Drinking water at sample sites was slightly alkaline (pH 7.4 ± 0.4) but within acceptable limits. Manganese concentrations varied from 0.1 to 5.5 mg/L with a median value of 0.2 mg/L. The median iron concentrations in water exceeded WHO standards (0.3 mg/L) at most of the sample sites and exceeded Bangladesh standards (1.0 mg/L) at a few sample sites. Salinity was relatively higher in coastal districts. After laboratory confirmation, arsenic concentrations were found higher in Shibchar (Madaripur) and Alfadanga (Faridpur) compared to other sample sites exceeding WHO standard (0.01 mg/L). Of the total sampling sites, 33 % had good-quality water for drinking based on the Water Quality Index (WQI). However, the majority of the households (67 %) used poor-quality drinking water. CONCLUSIONS Higher values of iron, manganese, and arsenic reduced drinking water quality. Awareness raising on chemical contents in drinking water at household level is required to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahera Akter
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Fatema Tuz Jhohura
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Fahmida Akter
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Tridib Roy Chowdhury
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Sabuj Kanti Mistry
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Digbijoy Dey
- BRAC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Milan Kanti Barua
- BRAC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Akramul Islam
- BRAC Tuberculosis Programme, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
- BRAC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Mahfuzar Rahman
- BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
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Ayotte JD, Belaval M, Olson SA, Burow KR, Flanagan SM, Hinkle SR, Lindsey BD. Factors affecting temporal variability of arsenic in groundwater used for drinking water supply in the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 505:1370-9. [PMID: 24650751 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of arsenic in groundwater is a recognized environmental hazard with worldwide importance and much effort has been focused on surveying and predicting where arsenic occurs. Temporal variability is one aspect of this environmental hazard that has until recently received less attention than other aspects. For this study, we analyzed 1245 wells with two samples per well. We suggest that temporal variability, often reported as affecting very few wells, is perhaps a larger issue than it appears and has been overshadowed by datasets with large numbers of non-detect data. Although there was only a slight difference in arsenic concentration variability among samples from public and private wells (p=0.0452), the range of variability was larger for public than for private wells. Further, we relate the variability we see to geochemical factors-primarily variability in redox-but also variability in major-ion chemistry. We also show that in New England there is a weak but statistically significant indication that seasonality may have an effect on concentrations, whereby concentrations in the first two quarters of the year (January-June) are significantly lower than in the second two quarters (July-December) (p<0.0001). In the Central Valley of California, the relation of arsenic concentration to season was not statistically significant (p=0.4169). In New England, these changes appear to follow groundwater levels. It is possible that this difference in arsenic concentrations is related to groundwater level changes, pumping stresses, evapotranspiration effects, or perhaps mixing of more oxidizing, lower pH recharge water in wetter months. Focusing on the understanding the geochemical conditions in aquifers where arsenic concentrations are concerns and causes of geochemical changes in the groundwater environment may lead to a better understanding of where and by how much arsenic will vary over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Ayotte
- U.S. Geological Survey, 331 Commerce Way, Pembroke, NH 03275, USA.
| | | | - Scott A Olson
- U.S. Geological Survey, 331 Commerce Way, Pembroke, NH 03275, USA
| | | | - Sarah M Flanagan
- U.S. Geological Survey, 331 Commerce Way, Pembroke, NH 03275, USA
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Zhu Z, He H, He D, Zheng H, Zhang C, Hu S. Evaluation of a new dielectric barrier discharge excitation source for the determination of arsenic with atomic emission spectrometry. Talanta 2014; 122:234-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2014.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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20
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Sorg TJ, Chen ASC, Wang L. Arsenic species in drinking water wells in the USA with high arsenic concentrations. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 48:156-69. [PMID: 24094730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic exists in ground water as oxyanions having two oxidation states, As(III) and As(V), and its concentrations vary widely and regionally across the United States (USA). Because of the difference in toxicity and removability of As(III) and As(V), arsenic speciation is important in the selection and design of an arsenic treatment systems. Identifying the arsenic species is also helpful in explaining and understanding the behavior and characteristics of arsenic in the environment. Although laboratory methods exist for speciating arsenic in water samples, the lack of a universal preservation method has led to the predominant use of field separation methods that are somewhat complex and costly. Thus, very few studies have incorporated arsenic speciation. A U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA) arsenic treatment research program provided a unique opportunity to speciate the naturally occurring arsenic in 65 well waters scattered across the USA with many of them being speciated monthly for up to three years. Speciation test data showed that 31 wells had predominantly As(V), 29 had predominantly As(III) and five had a mixture of both. A general pattern was found where As(III) was the dominant species in midwest ground waters where anoxic conditions and elevated iron concentrations prevailed and the well waters in the east, west and farwest had either As(III) or As(V) as the dominant species. The monthly (12-36) speciation tests results at many of these sites also found no major changes in arsenic species over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Sorg
- U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States.
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Çelebi A, Sengörür B, Kløve B. Human health risk assessment of dissolved metals in groundwater and surface waters in the Melen watershed, Turkey. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2014; 49:153-161. [PMID: 24171414 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2013.838842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Determination of metal risk levels in potable water and their effects on human health are vital in assessment of water resources. Risk assessment of metals to human health in a watershed, which has not been studied before, is the main objective of the present study. Surface and groundwater sampling was carried out between September 2010 and August 2011 in the Melen Watershed, Turkey, an important drinking water resource for millions of people. Metals were analyzed in the laboratory using inductively coupled plasma. Of the 26 different metals monitored, Al, B, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and V were found in surface water and As, B, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, V and Zn in groundwater. In groundwater, unitless hazard quotient (HQ) values were 6 for As, 2.7 for Mn and 1 for Zn, while in surface water all metals were below the risk level (HQ < 1). The ingestion risk was found to be higher than the dermal uptake risk. Arsenic mean concentration was observed to be 0.044 mg/L in groundwater. The As carcinogenic risk (CR) value was higher than the internationally accepted risk level (10(-4)) and with maximum ingestion of groundwater the carcinogenic risk was found to be higher in adults than children. These results show that even unpolluted watersheds can pose a risk to human health and that potential carcinogenic impacts should receive more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Çelebi
- a Department of Environmental Engineering , Sakarya University , Turkey
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Sugár É, Tatár E, Záray G, Mihucz VG. Field separation‐based speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic in public well water in Hungary. Microchem J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2012.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Naujokas MF, Anderson B, Ahsan H, Aposhian HV, Graziano JH, Thompson C, Suk WA. The broad scope of health effects from chronic arsenic exposure: update on a worldwide public health problem. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2013; 121:295-302. [PMID: 23458756 PMCID: PMC3621177 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1205875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 822] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns for arsenic exposure are not limited to toxic waste sites and massive poisoning events. Chronic exposure continues to be a major public health problem worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of persons. OBJECTIVES We reviewed recent information on worldwide concerns for arsenic exposures and public health to heighten awareness of the current scope of arsenic exposure and health outcomes and the importance of reducing exposure, particularly during pregnancy and early life. METHODS We synthesized the large body of current research pertaining to arsenic exposure and health outcomes with an emphasis on recent publications. DISCUSSION Locations of high arsenic exposure via drinking water span from Bangladesh, Chile, and Taiwan to the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level (MCL) in drinking water is 10 µg/L; however, concentrations of > 3,000 µg/L have been found in wells in the United States. In addition, exposure through diet is of growing concern. Knowledge of the scope of arsenic-associated health effects has broadened; arsenic leaves essentially no bodily system untouched. Arsenic is a known carcinogen associated with skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer. Dermatological, developmental, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, immunological, and endocrine effects are also evident. Most remarkably, early-life exposure may be related to increased risks for several types of cancer and other diseases during adulthood. CONCLUSIONS These data call for heightened awareness of arsenic-related pathologies in broader contexts than previously perceived. Testing foods and drinking water for arsenic, including individual private wells, should be a top priority to reduce exposure, particularly for pregnant women and children, given the potential for life-long effects of developmental exposure.
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George CM, Factor-Litvak P, Khan K, Islam T, Singha A, Moon-Howard J, van Geen A, Graziano JH. Approaches to increase arsenic awareness in Bangladesh: an evaluation of an arsenic education program. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2012; 40:331-8. [PMID: 22984214 DOI: 10.1177/1090198112454735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to design and evaluate a household-level arsenic education and well water arsenic testing intervention to increase arsenic awareness in Bangladesh. The authors randomly selected 1,000 study respondents located in 20 villages in Singair, Bangladesh. The main outcome was the change in knowledge of arsenic from baseline to follow-up 4 to 6 months after the household received the intervention. This was assessed through a pre- and postintervention quiz concerning knowledge of arsenic. Respondents were between 18 and 102 years of age, with an average age of 37 years; 99.9% were female. The knowledge of arsenic quiz scores for study participants were significantly higher at follow-up compared with baseline. The intervention was effective in increasing awareness of the safe uses of arsenic-contaminated water and dispelling the misconception that boiling water removes arsenic. At follow-up, nearly all respondents were able to correctly identify the meaning of a red (contaminated) and green (arsenic safe) well relative to arsenic (99%). The educational program also significantly increased the proportion of respondents who were able to correctly identify the health implications of arsenic exposure. However, the intervention was not effective in dispelling the misconceptions in the population that arsenicosis is contagious and that illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea, and vomiting could be caused by arsenic. Further research is needed to develop effective communication strategies to dispel these misconceptions. This study demonstrates that a household-level arsenic educational program can be used to significantly increase arsenic awareness in Bangladesh.
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Abstract
Polonium-210 ((210) Po) is a highly toxic alpha emitter that is rarely found in groundwater at activities exceeding 1 pCi/L. (210) Po activities in 63 domestic and public-supply wells in Lahontan Valley in Churchill County in northern Nevada, United States, ranged from 0.01 ± 0.005 to 178 ± 16 pCi/L with a median activity of 2.88 pCi/L. Wells with high (210) Po activities had low dissolved oxygen concentrations (less than 0.1 mg/L) and commonly had pH greater than 9. Lead-210 activities are low and aqueous (210) Po is unsupported by (210) Pb, indicating that the (210) Po is mobilized from aquifer sediments. The only significant contributors to alpha particle activity in Lahontan Valley groundwater are (234/238) U, (222) Rn, and (210) Po. Radon-222 activities were below 1000 pCi/L and were uncorrelated with (210) Po activity. The only applicable drinking water standard for (210) Po in the United States is the adjusted gross alpha radioactivity (GAR) standard of 15 pCi/L. (210) Po was not volatile in a Nevada well, but volatile (210) Po has been reported in a Florida well. Additional information on the volatility of (210) Po is needed because GAR is an inappropriate method to screen for volatile radionuclides. About 25% of the samples had (210) Po activities that exceed the level associated with a lifetime total cancer risk of 1× 10(-4) (1.1 pCi/L) without exceeding the GAR standard. In cases where the 72-h GAR exceeds the uranium activity by more than 5 to 10 pCi/L, an analysis to rule out the presence of (210) Po may be justified to protect human health even though the maximum contaminant level for adjusted GAR is not exceeded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph L Seiler
- U.S. Geological Survey, 2730 N Deer Run Road, Carson City, NV 89701, USA.
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Jovanovic D, Jakovljević B, Rašić-Milutinović Z, Paunović K, Peković G, Knezević T. Arsenic occurrence in drinking water supply systems in ten municipalities in Vojvodina Region, Serbia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2011; 111:315-318. [PMID: 21185557 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Revised: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Vojvodina, a northern region of Serbia, belongs to the Pannonian Basin, whose aquifers contain high concentrations of arsenic. This study represents arsenic levels in drinking water in ten municipalities in Serbia. Around 63% of all water samples exceeded Serbian and European standards for arsenic in drinking water. Large variations in arsenic were observed among supply systems. Arsenic concentrations in public water supply systems in Vojvodina were much higher than in other countries in the Pannonian Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Jovanovic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut", Dr Subotica 5, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Muhammad S, Tahir Shah M, Khan S. Arsenic health risk assessment in drinking water and source apportionment using multivariate statistical techniques in Kohistan region, northern Pakistan. Food Chem Toxicol 2010; 48:2855-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2010] [Revised: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Sengupta MK, Sawalha MF, Ohira SI, Idowu AD, Dasgupta PK. Green analyzer for the measurement of total arsenic in drinking water: electrochemical reduction of arsenate to arsine and gas phase chemiluminescence with ozone. Anal Chem 2010; 82:3467-73. [PMID: 20380446 DOI: 10.1021/ac100604y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe matrix-isolated, reaction chemistry based measurement of arsenic in water down to submicrograms per liter levels in a system that requires only air, water, electricity, and dilute sulfuric acid, the bulk of the latter being recycled. Gas phase chemiluminescence (GPCL) measurement of arsenic is made in an automated batch system with arsenic in situ electroreduced to arsine that is reacted with ozone to emit light. The ozone is generated from oxygen that is simultaneously anodically produced. Of 22 different electrode materials studied, graphite was chosen as the cathode. As(V) is reduced much less efficiently to AsH(3) than As(III). Prereducing all As to As(III) is difficult in the field and tedious. Oxidizing all As to As(V) is simple (e.g., with NaOCl) but greatly reduces subsequent conversion to AsH(3) and hence sensitivity. The rate of the AsH(3)-O(3) GPCL reaction and hence signal intensity increases with [O(3)]. Using oxygen to feed the ozonizer produces higher [O(3)] and substantial signal enhancement. This makes it practical to measure all arsenic as As(V). The system exhibits an LOD (S/N = 3) for total arsenic as As(V) of 0.36 microg/L (5 mL sample). Comparison of total As results in native and spiked water samples with those from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and other techniques show high correlation (r(2) = 0.9999) and near unity slopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal K Sengupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, Planetarium Place, Arlington, Texas 76019-0065, USA
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Halim MA, Majumder RK, Nessa SA, Oda K, Hiroshiro Y, Saha BB, Hassain SM, Latif SA, Islam MA, Jinno K. Groundwater contamination with arsenic in Sherajdikhan, Bangladesh: geochemical and hydrological implications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s00254-008-1493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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