ARSENIC POLLUTION OF

GROUNDWATER IN BANGLADESH

KIM 3701KIMIA ALAM SEKITAR

GROUP MEMBERS

Abdul Rahman bin Yusuf UK26406

Zaiimah binti Rozman UK25649

Siti Soleha binti Mustaffa UK24901

Wan Azwira binti Wan Ahmad UK26257

Nurul Syazdiana binti Mohd Zuki

UK26258

DEFINITION

Groundwater Pollution:

The contamination of groundwater by

different form of chemicals and

synthetic pollutants that reduces the

quality of groundwater making it

limited for normal use by living beings.

ORGANICINORGANIC:

TOXIC

TYPES OF POLLUTANT

ARSENIC33rd element in Periodic Table.

Inorganic toxically metal pollutant.

Highest priority contaminant on the

priority list of hazardous substances.

Refer: http://

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/SPL/index.html

Known as poison and human carcinogen.

CASE STUDY

CHRONOLOGY of Arsenic Pollution in West Bengal, India

Arsenic natural geological is present in local bedrock.

The deeper the level of groundwater, the higher the concentration of Arsenic.

Using of deep tubewells for water supply and power pump.

Using of pesticides, fertilizers in agrochemical field.

The Arsenic from pesticides and fertilizers percolated into the ground.

CHRONOLOGY cont..The deep tubewells continue pulling up the

deep Arsenic, therefore the situation became worst.

People used the water from the tubewell, unknowingly they were transferring the Arsenic to their body.

Epidemiological study was carried out. Water sam ples were obtained from the tubewells.

0.84 million people exposed to Arsenic, 0.14 million people suffering arsenical skin lesion.

Cause acute and chronic toxicity.Liver and kidney damage.Skin disease such as keratosis (hardening

palm and sole), melanosis(hyperpigmentation), blackening of skin.

Irritation to skin and mucous membrane.Irreversible circulatory insufficiency.Arsenicosis by drinking arsenic

contaminated water which can lead to very painful death.

EFFECTS to health

KERATOSIS

EFFECTS to environment

Changing of microbiological balance of

soil.

Change of arable land to barren land due

to use of contaminated water.

Contamination of water due to leakage of

contaminated groundwater.

OVERCOMESMonitoring water quality to detect

contamination.

Declaring water source protection area.

Managing the activities to minimize their

impact to environment.

Get the alternative water supply to replace

the contaminated water.

SUGGESTIONSUse pesticides and fertilizers with care.Keep chemicals and waste safe from rain.Conduct household hazardous wastes

collection.

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RECOMMENDATIONInform and educates people more about

groundwater.

CONCLUSIONArsenic contamination is not peculiar to

Bangladesh alone. This is a global problems.

The great difference is the degree and velocity of this environmental disaster in Bangladesh for the number of people at risk is higher than other countries.

Prevention and awareness is the best way to reduce groundwater pollution.

High arsenic concentration are present mostly in shallow groundwater.