Concentrations of Arsenic in Water, Soil, Hair, and Biological Samples in Hizla, Bangladesh
Abu Sayed Md. Kamal* and Preeda Parkpian* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: kamalasm@hotmail.com, kamalasm@ait.ac.th
Volume: Vol.29 No.1 (APRIL 2002)
Research Article
DOI:
Received: 13 November 2001, Revised: -, Accepted: 13 March 2002, Published: -
Citation: Kamal A.S.M. and Parkpian P., Concentrations of Arsenic in Water, Soil, Hair, and Biological Samples in Hizla, Bangladesh, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2002; 29(1): 7-13.
Abstract
Arsenic in water, soil, hair, and biological samples from potentially arsenic risk Hizla, Bangladesh (vegetables, fish, and meat) was determined to identify the source of arsenic contamination. Mostly (84 water samples out of 125) shallow tubewell (10-30 m) water, but none (out of 52 samples) deep tubewell (more than 200 m) water was contaminated. Arsenic in groundwater was found to increase proportionally with iron but decrease inversely with well depth. Hair samples from the villagers, who have been drinking arsenic contaminated water for several years with preliminary skin lesions, showed significant results (5.5 to 11.1 mg Kg-1). The soil and biological samples did not show any significant result, as a source of arsenic contamination in Hizla. All samples except water were analyzed by X-Ray Fluorescence method and total arsenic in groundwater was determined by field kit and cross-checked by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence method at Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh.