2000 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 329-340
The groundwater contamination by Arsenic (As) becomes a serious problem for human health in Bangladesh; having more than 0.05mg/L in As concentration in widespread areas. The Research Group for Applied Geology (RGAG) carried out hydrogeological investigations at Samta village in western Bangladesh together with the Asia Arsenic Network (AAN), Bangladeshi scientists and the villagers.
The As concentration is higher in the first aquifer where most domestic wells tap, and the As content is higher in the upper muddy layer underlain by the first aquifer in Samta. The groundwater level steeply drops down in dry season when groundwater is extensively used for irrigation.
It is possible that the As contamination is accelerated by the heavy groundwater pumpage. It is necessary to make detailed investigations in the As affected areas for establishment of groundwater management system in Bangladesh. Interdisciplinary approaches with international collaboration are also needed to combat arsenic problems to be occurred in different places in the world.
