Identifying the arsenic-safe aquifers of the Ganges Delta : Some insights into sustainable aquifer management

• The widespread health impacts on millions of people from consumption of arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater of the Ganges delta necessitate an effort to locate As-safe aquifer zones and to develop a sustainable aquifer management policy. We look into the aquifer geometries, sediment characteristics and groundwater As concentrations to develop an understanding of the factors that inhibit As invasion/mobilization within the As-safe aquifers. However, the sustainability of the present-day safe aquifer is at risk due to the heavy groundwater pumping for irrigation and thus, promoting water conserving agricultural practices is extremely vital. We suggest that, formulating a sustainable As mitigation plan should also involve the non-scientific communities such as the local tubewell drillers and farmers for widespread implementation of the plan. 

Ämnesord

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

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

Nyckelord

Agriculture

Aquifers

Arsenic

Groundwater resources

Hydrogeology

Sustainable development

Agricultural practices

Aquifer management

Contaminated groundwater

Groundwater as

Groundwater pumping

Mitigation plans

Scientific community

Sediment characteristic

Groundwater pollution

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)