ARSENIC POLLUTION OF GROUND WATER IN BANGLADESH

Applied Hydrogeology - 642E 20- 01- 2006

Katarzyna Boreysza Birgit Fabritius Christine Laures

20.01.2006

Water Resources Engineering and Management - WAREM Applied Hydrogeology Boreysza, Fabritius, University of Stuttgart Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Laures

Introduction
During the 1970s: Government of Bangladesh and WHO started shallow ground water well programme. ~10 Mio. wells were constructed, supplying 97% of the Bangladeshi population. In the 1980s: First health problems occurred. In 1993: Association of health problems with arsenic contamination. At present: Bangladesh is facing the largest mass poisoning of a population in history. Estimated 35 to 77 million inhabitants are at risk of drinking contaminated water.
World Health Organization
20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Information about Bangladesh

The country within the Bengal Basin of S.Asia Bordering with India and Myanmar on the land and with Srilanka and The Andaman Islands on sea The eastern part of the ancient Bengal region The capital in Dhaka The surface area of 144 000 km Very dense population of approx. 140 Million inhabitants The country relying on agriculture- 62% of arable land , irrigation of 38,000km, rice cropping Problems: flood-prone land, water-borne diseases, pollution of water and fishing areas due to extensive use of pesticides, contamination of groundwater by arsenic, soil degradation and water shortages.
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

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Geography of the region

A low-lying river delta with a marshy jungle coastline Bengal Tiger, mangrove forests Sea coastlines spread over 700km Tropical climate Hot humid summers, mild winters and warm rainy monsoon periods Rainfall 5000-1524 mm/a Tropical cyclones, tornadoes, floods during monsoon periods Location in the Ganges Delta, the largest delta in the world Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna Rivers with source in highlands including the Himalaya The area of Bangladesh covered by dense vegetation The soil fertile but very susceptible to floods and droughts The country in 80% a flat alluvial plain The highest point of the country: Keokradong (south-east) , 1 230m asl.
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

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The geographical regions: Hilly regions in the eastern and northern frontier (18% of the country): Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Ranges of northeastern Sylhet Hills along the narrow northern strip of Sylhet and Mymensingh Pleistocene uplands: Barind Tract in the north western part Madhupur Tract in the central part Lalmai Hill, Tippera Surface Tista Fan (in the northern part), Flood plains: Ganges flood plain Atrai flood plain Brahmaputra-Jamuna flood plain Old Brahmaputra flood plain Meghna flood plain, Deltaic plain of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta Complex: Inactive delta Active delta Tidal delta Sylhet Depression- a tectonically subsiding basin
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

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Tectonics of the region

Shelf zone A major tectonic element The sediments 3000m thick containing unconformities The part in north called the Rangpur platform In the south the Bogra shelf The basement complex with buried ridges and gravity faults Hinge zone (Eocene slope break) 25 km wide Connected with the Dauki fault The Bengal Fore Deep A large long trough deep 450km wide, decreasing towards north-east. The sediments 12 000m thick Five sub -zones: 1) Faridpur trough, 2) Barisal gravity high, 3) Hatia trough, 4) Sylhet trough, and 5) South Shillong shelf zone. Mobile belt The hills (the Chittagong Hill tracts, Chittagong and Sylhet) Long narrow folds containing thick sandy shales 4000-8000 thick Box like forms, asymmetric structures and complicated formations in the east The Sub Himalayan Fore Deep A belt along the south foot of the Himalayas Coarse to fine clastics of fluvial mollasse in character Folded and faulted in the north.
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

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Geology of the region

Beginning of the geological development In Upper Paleozoic The break up eastern Gondwanaland and collision of Indian and Asian plates Permo-carboniferous pre-breakup stage Early Cretaceous Rift stage Late Cretaceous-Eocene Plate or drift stage, Oligocene-Holocene Orogenic stage The dominating sediments Holocene alluvial and deltaic sediments Deposition by the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River In the period from Permian to Holocene- 6000 to 10 000 years ago One of the most quickly accreting delta systems on the globe The Bengal basin covered by sediments 20 km- 114m thickness Three major lithostratigraphic units separated by many unconformities The eroding Himalayas, Indo-Burman Ranges sediment source in Mid-Miocene In the north coarse sediments, mountain-front alluvial fan deposits (Tista fan) Barind, Madhupur tracts- up-faulted eroding terraces of Pleistocene sediments Covered with alluvial sediment at depths of 150-200m The lowland part covered with alluvial sands and silts The southern part covered by fine deltaic silts and clays Chittagong Hill Tracts: Tertiary sediments- folded deposits of sandstone, siltFabritius, 20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Boreysza,
Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Laures

 Holocene the alluvium forms (sand, silt, clay containing decomposed org. matter) top, middle,lower aquifers Pleistocene Madhupur Clay (red clay with sandstone, oxidized, with ferruginous nodules) stable paleosol Pio-Pleistocene Dihing (colorful sandstone containing pebbles) and Dupi Tila Formation (sandstone with clay beds, grey, oxidized, coarse with pebbles, petrified woods) deep aquifers Miocene Tipam Sandstone formations (2 layers: grey Girujan clay, grey Tipam sandstone, coarse containing lignite) and Bokabil, Bhuban (sandstones, shales) aquifers of a large depth Oligocene Barail (sandstone) Eocene Sylhet Limestone and Kopili (sandstone, shale, fossiliferous beds) limestone deposits. Paleocene Tura Sandstone (the oldest exposed rock) Cretaceous Rajmahal Trap (volcanic trap with sandstone and shale) Permian Gondwana (sandstone with shale and coal) Pre-Cambrian Basement (Granite, Granodiorite, Gneiss, Schist) (igneous, metamorphic rock)
20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

The layering Basement complex Gondwana rock Rajmal Trap Tura Sandstone Sylhet limestone and Kopili Barail Bhuban, Bokabil and Tipam Sandstone, Dihing , Dupi Tila Sandstone Madhupur Clay Alluvium sediments Due to erosion disappearance of some formations Importance of the Quaternary sediments for groundwater extraction

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Main Aquifer Divisions

Vertical Division Upper Shallow Aquifer Lower Shallow Aquifer Geological Age Description Occurence Major aquifers beneath recent floodplains (up to 150 m thick) Major aquifers beneath pleistocene terraces and hills, deep aquifers beneath holocene floodplains (>200 m depth)

Clay and silt, medium Late to coarse grained sand Pleistocene and gravel (depending to Holocene on location) with mud/peat Early to middle Pleistocene Red-brown medium to fine sands (Dupi Tila formation), stacked fluvial main channel medium to coarse sands

Deep Aquifer

After DPHE & BGS (2001) and Ravenscroft et al (2005)

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Hydrogeological cross-section

From DPHE & BGS (2001)

20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Comparison of aquifer systems

Holocene aquifer
Contains 6% organic material Anoxic, reducing conditions Deposited less than 11,000 years ago Has not been flushed during last glacial (18,000 years ago) Contains high amounts of arsenic

Pleistocene aquifer
Contains no organic material Oxic conditions Older, deposited more than 25,000 years ago Has been flushed during last glacial due to high hydraulic gradients leading to high flow Usually contains low amounts of arsenic or no arsenic at all

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Areas of Ground Water Contamination: The national hydrochemical survey (NHS) 1998/1999
Randomised, uniform sampling of wells Total of 3,534 wells sampled Range of As: <0.25 1670 g/l Average: 55 g/l, median: 4 g/l 24 % of samples below detection limit Limit values: 42 % above 10 g/l (WHO), 25 % above 50 g/l (Bangladesh value) 53 of 61 districts contain at least one well exceeding the Bangladesh limit value Greatest concentrations in the south and south-east, lowest in north and north-west Differces on a small scale, i.e. concentrations vary even within a village
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

20.01.2006

Areas of groundwater contamination: NHS results

Arsenic distribution: No contamination below pleistocene terraces and hilly areas (deep aquifer), highest concentrations in shallow aquifers of flood and deltaic plains.

Occurence of arsenic is stronly dependent on well depth, maximum concentration at 15 to 40 m.

20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Occurrence of arsenic in the world

Bangladesh is not the only country with arsenic pollution of the groundwater, but pollution is exceptionally widespread here.

Arsenic occurence is related to: Mining Geothermal waters Specific geochemical environment and hydrogeologic history

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Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

The element Arsenic

Metalloid element, atomic number 33, atomic weight of 74.92, density of 5.73 kg/m, belongs to nitrogen group. Most common arsenic minerals: Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) Realgar (As4S4), orpiment (As2S3) Average As concentration in rocks: 1 to 10 g/kg Arsenic is toxic (anorganic forms more than organic ones) Guideline value of WHO: 10 g/l Guideline value of Bangladesh: 50 g/l

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Mobility of arsenic: dependencies

Mobility of arsenic depends on: Oxidation/reduction Precipitation/dissolution Adsorption/desorption Under oxic conditions, arsenic is usually bound to metal oxides in sediments (by adsorption). Under reducing conditions, arsenic is released because oxides dissolve. The adsorption process is influenced by concentration of As, redox potential (Eh), pH, and presence of competing anions (e.g. phosphate).
20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Theories of Arsenic Mobilisation

Mechanism of Mobilization

Geogenic Mechanism

Anthropogenic Sources

Desorption from Fe(OH)3

Pyrit Hypothesis

Agriculture: Fertilizer, Pestizides

Industry: Pharm. Products, Mining

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Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Desorption of Arsenic by Ironhydroxides

1. Oxidation of arsenic-containing ores (e.g. exposed to O2 and H2O - FeAsS) when 22. Adsorption of As (as H AsO or HAsO ) to ferricsource hydroxide 2 4 4 3. Organic matter of the delta sediments are used asthe energy by microorganisms causing oxygen depletion. Transport via GBM river system to delta Reaction: If all O2 consumed Anoxic process of Iron (III) hydroxide reduction starts. 4FeAsS + 14O2 + 16H2O + 3- + 4Fe(OH) Bound As (V) is liberated and transformed the form 3of (III). <=> 4SO42- + 4to AsO + As 20H 4 mobile

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Pyrit Hypothese
Mixture of geogenic and anthropogenic mechanism tubewell Pyrites minerals (FeAsS) are present in the delta sediments Due to the lowering of the water table (by intensified extraction for irrigation) oxidation of pyrites deposits in so-called Vadose Arsenic adsorbs to Fe(OH)3 During recharge period release of As (same mechanisms as before) Vadose Zone FeAsS/ FeS Varying WT l Release of As

Difference to previous named theory: mobilization takes place in the delta, not in the hilly region

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Possible Sources
Large size and distribution of the affected area indicates that no single source can be responsible for contamination. No minerals of unusual high arsenic concentration need to be invoked since the release of only small fractions is sufficient to rise the As levels above 50 g/l. (BGS)

Proposal for Sources: Darjeeling Himalaya: Outcrops contain up to 0.8% of As Coal deposition of Raj mahal Basin: Conc. of 200 ppm Base metal deposits upstream of the Ganges in India, Gondwana coal deposits (watershed is drained in opposite direction, but could have changed direction)

20.01.2006

Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Anthropogenic Sources
Fertilizer: Consumption increased dramatically in last 40 years 1961 Fert. Tot 2.3*104 t P-Fertil. 2*103 t

2000 1.3*106 t 2.5*105 t

Phosphate fertilizers are of highest interest. Mechanisms of As mobilization: (1) Fertilizers as As source: As conc. 2-200 mg/kg (2) Competitive exchange of PO4- with As from the Fe(OH)3 (higher capacity to adsorb to Fe(OH)3) release of As to the environment

20.01.2006

Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Discussion of Theories
Pro Desorption - Sediments finer from N to S Fe(OH)3 coating more abundant - Samples: anoxic/ anaerobic, Fe (II) present, correlation iron and arsenic - Low As conc. in deeper aquifer due Quaternary sea level fluctuations - Low conc. in deep layers can be explained Contra - Source not clear

Pyrite

- Not suff. As cont. pyrite minerals present - Lowering of the WT not sufficient - SO4- conc. too low

Fertilizer

- Conc. of PO4- decreases very fast under anaerobic - But: cannot be single conditions, indicating exchange reaction source, only - Highest As conc. in areas of most intensive agriculture secondary influence!! (S/ S-E part) - Leaching into deeper layers proofed by water samples - Conc. increased to fast within last years - Point source not possible!!
Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Industry, Pharm., etc

20.01.2006

Health Effects
Toxicity: Inorganic > toxic organic As, As (III) > toxic As (V) But: Alteration in body possible Acute poisoning : Lethal dose (1-2 mg/kg of body weight) Chronic: Symptoms after 2-5 years of exposure
Guideline WHO TrinkwV (1/1/2003)/ WFD (98/83/EC) Bangldesh Threshold [g/l] 10 10 50

Behaviour in body: bio-accumulation in liver, spleen, and the lungs as well as in bones, keratin containing tissues like skin, hair and nails Effects: As (V): binds to proteins causing a blockade of ATP-synthesis As (III): connects to enzymes hindering the profilation of tissue growth Arsenicosis - Symptoms: (1) Melanosis (thickening of the conjunctiva) (2) Keratosis (wart-like growth) & hyper pigmentation (3) Skin cancer & ultimately death
20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Possibilities of Elimination
For removal: oxidation of As(III) to As(V) is needed Principle mechanisms: precipitation + sedimentation/ filtration; oxidation; membrane filtration. adsorption; ion exchange Oxidation: Oxidants such as O2 O3 KMnO4 H2O2 Mainly in industrialized countries. Coagulation & Adsorption - Bucket Treatment Unit: (1) Precipitation by metal salts in upper bucket (2) Coagulation by mixing (3) Adsorption by passing sand filter

Source: Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET)

Alternatively - Change of Water Source: e.g. deeper tube wells, surface water or rainwater harvesting
20.01.2006 Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Discussion

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Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

How have investigation been performed?

Contamination was confirmed in 1993 400 measurements were performed by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health published in 1996 BGS survey presentation of results in 2000 Investigation are still ongoing

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Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures

Exceedance of specific As-concentrations as a function of depth

20.01.2006

Applied Hydrogeology Arsenic Pollution of Ground Water in Bangladesh -

Boreysza, Fabritius, Laures