Potentiality of intermediate depth aquifer as a source of arsenic and manganese safe tubewells in Bangladesh

• Shallow tubewells excepting those installed in red/off-white sediments are mostly contaminated with high arsenic. Social survey conducted in 96 villages of Matlab, a worse-affected area of Bangladesh, reveals that only 18% of tubewells provide As-safe water. In such a condition, high Manganese in many wells is found to be an additional problem. Based on monitoring in depth-specific piezometers, drinking water wells were installed in intermediate depth aquifer around 120 m. Ninety percent of the wells installed in light grey medium sand, had arsenic concentrations below the Bangladesh standard of 50 ÎŒg/L and manganese was within the previous WHO guideline (0.4 mg/L). Availability of similar sand over this depth range could be targeted by local drillers to tap safe water at a reasonable cost. Replication trials and periodical monitoring are emphasized for validation and sustainability.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

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