Arsenic in ground water: A new environmental hazard in Bangladesh Quazi Quamruzzaman1, Mahmuder Rahman2, Abul Hasnat Milton3, Shibtosh Roy4, Mizanur R Chowdhury 5, Ranajit Das6, Bashir Ahmed Badal7

Abstract: Arsenic in ground water: A new environmental hazard in Bangladesh Quazi Quamruzzaman1, Mahmuder Rahman2, Abul Hasnat Milton3, Shibtosh Roy4, Mizanur R Chowdhury 5, Ranajit Das6, Bashir Ahmed Badal7 Bangladesh occupies the major portion of the Bengal basin. Nearly 85% of the recent sediments of Bangladesh have been deposited by alluvial and deltaic processes of the mighty river like the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, the Meghna and the Teesta. Bangladesh is now experiencing an arsenic related disaster, although in neighbouring West Bengal it became evident in the mid- eighties. Arsenic experts in Calcutta however predicted that as the younger deltaic deposition stretched from West Bengal into Bangladesh, the later might also have arsenic contamination of ground water. The prediction ultimately held true. Arsenic contamination of ground water and its adverse effects on health is now a public health problem in Bangladesh. In our country wide survey along with School of Environmental Studies of West Bengal, we detected arsenic in ground water samples from 41 districts out of the total 64 districts. Arsenic is a toxic chemical; it has been identified as a cause of cancer. The impact of environment on health is now a growing area of concern; one of the reasons is due to involvement of huge economic burden associated with health. In the context of massive environmental pollution appropriate steps should be taken in a concerted manner to combat the situation. 1. Professor of Surgery & Chairman, Dhaka Community Hospital Trust 2. Professor of Medicine & Member, Dhaka Community Hospital Trust 3. Epidemiologist & Coordinator, CME & Research Division 4. Paediatric Consultant, Dhaka Community Hospital 5. MBA & Coordinator, Dhaka Community Hospital 6. Cordinator, Community Projects Division, Dhaka Community Hospital 7. Medical officer, CME & Research Division, Dhaka Community Hospital
 
 

Abstract

Cost efficient Solutions for the Removal of Arsenic from Groundwater by Subterranean Water Treatment

Cost efficient Solutions for the Removal of Arsenic from Groundwater by Subterranean Water Treatment Rott, U., Stuttgart, Germany Many drinking water supplies specially in the Bengal Basins and in other parts of the world are forced to treat groundwater containing toxic amounts of arsenic. Generally the treatment processes known for the elimination of arsenic are technically complicated, expensive and produce an arsenic contaminated sludge that has to be treated as hazardous waste in some cases. To investigate the applicability of in situ-treatment as an alternative method for the above mentioned processes field tests were carried out for different municipal water supplies in the Rhine valley and in Saxony in Germany. The concentrations of iron, manganese and arsenic exceeded the limits of the drinking water guideline. Most part of total arsenic consists of As(III) which is more toxic than As(V). The main aim of this experiment was to prove the transferibility of the practical expe­rience with subterranean removal of iron and manganese from groundwater which is used since more than 30 years in Europe, to a kind of simultaneous elimination of arsenic. For the subterranean removal of arsenic as well as for iron an manganese a part of the delivered water has to be recharged in order to carry an oxidizing agent, which is atmospheric oxygen in this case. The recharged water is infiltrated into the aquifer by the same well which is used for pumping of water. Various natural physico-chemical and biological treatment mechanisms take place in the aquifer, using oxygen only and no other chemicals. Beyond the reduction of iron- and manganese-concentrations below the guideline-limits the in situ-treatment also succeeded in the removal of arsenic. After a few treatment-cycles arsenic(III) was completely oxidized to immobile arsenic(V) and the arsenic concentration in the treated water did no longer exceed the guideline value of 0,01 mg/l As. In situ-removal of arsenic from groundwater is a very cost efficient method, which requires only simple technical equipment and can be managed without sophisticated technical knowledge. Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rott, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, University of Stuttgart, Bandtäle 2, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany. E-mail: rott@iswa.uni-stuttgart.de Tel. ++49(0)711-685-3711, Fax ++49(0)711-685-3729
 
 

Abstract March 1999

POLLUTION IN THE DAMODAR-A CASE STUDY

POLLUTION IN THE DAMODAR-A CASE STUDY KUMKUM BHATTACHARYYA

 Department of Geography The University of Burdwan Barddhaman, West Bengal, India The Damodar gets enormous quantity of eroded materials from uncontrolled catchment below dams. There is substantial growth of coal mining over the Raniganj coalfield. The industrialization in the form of coal mining, coal based industries coal washeries refractories and significantly developed iron and steel industries at Burnpur and Durgapur have been changing the whole landscape of the Damodar basin into one of industrial smokes despoliation of the land by mining with subsidence,sub surface burning ,eroded and dumps of coal all over the area.The growth of urbanization is one of the inevitable consequences with the development of the big centres like Asansol, Durgapur,Raniganj. The Durgapur Asansol industrial belt has no perennial sources of water and is served by the feeder canal of the Damodar Valley Corporation. Besides feeding the industrial complex the canal releases water in the lean months for agricultural purposes to be used by the neighbouring districts. However, the only source of drawing water is river Damodar which receives industrial pollutants through two storm water drains-Nunia Nalah in the Asansol region and Tamla nalah in the Durgapur region besides receiving pollution dose through some drains from Iron and Steel Co( Burnpur), Bengal paper mill(Raniganj), and Durgapur steel plant(Waria).So the toxic chemical are scattered in the sediments in and around the Durgapur-Asansol region. The thermal power plants contribute about 21,08,203 m3/day(79.13% of total) waste water discharge,the largest about 92% coming from Durgapur power station. Fly ash constitutes the main pollutants. It has substantial metallic toxic load and negligible non-metallic toxic load and BOD(CPCB,1992). The river Damodar receives mine water discharge in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 million m3/day. An analysis of water from several mines has indicated that majority of the mine water in region is not acidic. It is free from toxicity and salinity(CPCB,1990). Erosion of the loose suspended particles creates yet another water quality problem thunderstorm lasting about 30 minutes may deliver as much as 100 tonnes of dead weight to each acre of land.The impact of rain drop on unprotected ground surface results in extensive particles loosing near the surface.The erosion rates for abandoned surface mines and active surface mines are estimated at 850 and 17,000 tonnes/sq.km/year respectively which are extremely high as against a relative value of about 8.5 tonnes/sq.km/year for forest(CMPDI,1990). In t he Damodar basin about 16,264 tonnes of chemical fertilizers were applied during 1978-79 representing about 1.41 per cent of that used in Ganga basin.The Geographical area of Damodar basin being about 2.7% of Ganga basin, the average rate of chemical fertilizers amounts to about 50% of that in Ganga basin (CPCB,1992). although the gross sown area of the Damodar basin being about 2% of that of the Ganga basin.The striking feature is that the total quantity of fertilizers applied during 1983-84 was 46,044 tonnes registering a three fold increase over 1978-79(over 5 years ), the maximum being in Burddhaman district (62%). The urban domestic pollution load to the Damodar is mainly attributable to the untreated domestic wastes. The main townships to the big cities contribute solid waste and sewages all along the river course. In absence of proper sewage system and treatment plants wastes almost at all the places find their way to the river directly. Kumkum Bhattacharyya.
 
 
 

Abstract March 1999

THE STATUS OF ENVIRONMENT OF SURFACE WATER-THE CASE OF THE DAMODAR RIVER

THE STATUS OF ENVIRONMENT OF SURFACE WATER-THE CASE OF THE DAMODAR RIVER

 KUMKUM BHATTACHARYYA

 Department of Geography The University of Burdwan Barddhaman, West Bengal, India ABSTRACT River Damodar , a sub-system of the Ganga river is one of the endemic flood-prone river in Bengal plain.The river was heavily embanked in its lower sector to reduce flood disaster in the Rah plain.The river was again selected first for the construction of sophisticated engineering structures such as Barrage and Reservoirs when the D.V.C was first conceived after the T.V.A. of U.S.A. in 1948.The embankments, sluices, weir, barrage and reservoirs are now significant physiognomic components of the Lower Damodar landscape. The daily, mean monthly and the instantaneous peak discharges at selected points of the Damodar river were analyzed in order to study the status of environment of the Damodar river in both pre and post dam period. Man induced hydrographic below control points show decreased monsoon discharge, increased discharge in winter and in pre-monsoon period, reduced peak flow and shifting of peak flow from July-August to September-October in the post- dam period. A record of few years of the Damodar discharge at Rrondia weir revealed that under natural conditions, 12 days on an average in a year experienced a flow of above 2266 cum. but it has decreased to 3.7 days in the artificial condition. There has been at least 34 percent decrease in annual discharge from the pre-dam to the post-dam period. In pre-dam period return period of floods of bankfull stage of 7080 cumec had a recurrence interval of 1.8 years. In post-dam period the return period for the bankfull stage has been increased to 14.81 years. Contemporary riverbed now consists of series of alluvial bars, which are now less transient due to year long agricultural practices. Too much controlling of a river and too many control structures can expand the resource base temporarily but has become detrimental for the river itself. The flow resource is being gradually replaced by fund resource.The river is now in the state of anthropogenic degradation. The same example of gradual deterioration of physical environment within the channel can be cited from the other rivers of the Bengal plain. The management of the hydrological regime of the Damodar river is the immediate and important task of the scientists and planners in order to mitigate the other ecological problem.
 

March 1999

Pesticides- A threat to the food chain

PESTICIDES: A THREAT TO THE FOOD CHAIN Drs. Rashmi Sanghi and Padma S.Vankar Facility for Ecological and Analytical Testing (FEAT) 302, Southern Laboratories, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur 208016 (UP) INDIA

Among various organic and inorganic pollutants, pesticides pose a serious threat to humans who are at the end of the food chain. Pesticides are dangerous and harmful because of their tissue degradation and carcinogenic nature. Generally the pesticides can damage the liver and disrupt the development of immune, nervous and endocrine systems. Many of these even mimic and interfere with male and female hormones, modifying development and reproduction functioning. The major sources of pesticide pollution are industries, agriculture, forestry and other domestic activities. DDT, BHC, Carbamate and Endosulfan etc. are some of the very common pesticides used in India both in agriculture and public health sectors. Among the chemicals used as pesticides, organochlorines including DDT, HCH, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Chlordane are proven killers. DDT and Dieldrin are the most dangerous because of their subtle and widespread effects on birds and human food supplies. Moreover DDT and its breakdown products classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP's) are chemicals that take hundreds of years to disappear from the environment. They cause serious health problems in humans, birds and animal populations. Organochlorines are severely detrimental to the survival and reproduction of wildlife. The first to get affected by such chemicals are vultures and other birds of prey, being on top of the food chain.. Pesticides find their way into the water where they effect the lower level organisms. Then as these are devoured by other creatures, the chemicals effect them too. Intake and effects of chemicals increase several times along the food chain which is a mode for carrying not only food but also pesticides. To find out the reason for the heavy decline of vultures from 2000 during 1980s to about four in 1998 in Bharatpur's Keoladeo National Park, recently studies on animal carcasses, vulture's primary food source were conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. Some Cattle and Pig carcasses samples were collected from Bharatpur and Delhi areas and pesticide analysis was carried out by us at Facility for Ecological and Analytical Testing, Indian Institute of Technology,Kanpur. The results are alarming showing the presence of high levels of pesticides. The presence of high levels of DDT and still higher levels of HCH is a matter of great concern. Dieldrin which is a very potent poison for birds was also found in samples collected from Delhi. Experts and ornithologists believe that such pesticides are responsible for the heavy fall in not only Bharatpur vulture population but also in other Asian countries. Today, scientific literature is full of instances of the adverse effects of pesticides on not only birds but humans as well who unknowingly consume dangerous amounts of pesticides through their food everyday. A 1996 study in Delhi found pesticide residues in mother's milk, blood and even in infant blood. The government should recognize the toxic pesticides and not only ban them but also launch campaigns to educate the farmers of the dangers associated with pesticides which are all around us. Before the killer could come and devour us ,we need to seriously stand up to the cause of eliminating the killer from food chain.
 
 
 

Abstract:: March 1999

Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Case Study

Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Case Study

 Barbara R. Hillery

 Dept. of Chemistry, State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY 11568

 Semivolatile organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. These organic compounds are subject to temperature dependent volatilization, and once in the atmosphere they can be transported to areas distant from the area of application. Many of these compounds have been found to have adverse environmental effects, leading to regulations banning their use in many industrialized countries. Their chemical and physical stability is such that they persist in various environmental compartments long after their use has ceased. As compounds such as PCBs are now being implicated as potential endocrine agonists, it is important not only to monitor their concentrations in the environment at low levels, but also to understand the mechanisms controlling their transport and compartmentalization. This paper looks at some of the sampling and analytical requirements for determining concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the atmosphere, using a study of anthropogenic contaminants in the Laurentian Great Lakes as an example. Much of the data that will be presented was obtained as part of a binational project of the United States and Canada, known as the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network. A major advantage of this project is the long time frame over which sampling has occurred, enabling an analysis of temporal and spatial trends in the concentration data. Multiple regression analysis allows for the relating of atmospheric concentrations to meteorological data. Rate constants are used to determine an environmental half-life for PCBs in the atmosphere.
 
 
 

Abstract - March 1999

REMOVAL OF ARSENIC BY DIRECT COPRECIPITATION FILTRATION

Xiaoguang Meng and George P. Korfiatis
Center for Environmental Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
ABSTRACT
A direct coprecipitation filtration (DCF) process is tested for the removal of arsenic and compared with coagulation treatment with ferric chloride. The DCF process involves injection of small amounts of ferric chloride solution into a sand filter. Arsenic is removed by ferric hydroxide formed in the filter through coprecipitation and adsorption. Bench- and pilot-scale filtration results have demonstrated that the filtration process can be used to removal arsenic to trace levels with a cost similar to the conventional sand filtration. Full-scale DCF systems have been successfully implemented for the removal of arsenic from groundwater. Experimental results obtained with batch and column tests show that metallic iron is an effective material for arsenic removal. Arsenic is removed through electrochemical reduction and coprecipitation in a metallic iron system. Bench-scale tests have been conducted to evaluate long-term performance of the iron filters and the effect of dissolved oxygen on the performance of the filters.
 
 
 

Abstract - March 1999

SPECIATION AND ADSORPTION OF ARSENIC

Xiaoguang Meng and George P. Korfiatis
Center for Environmental Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
ABSTRACT
Effects of silicate, sulfate, and carbonate on the removal of arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)] by coprecipitation with ferric chloride are studied. Silicate significantly decreases As(III) and As(V) removal when Si concentration is higher than 1 mg/L. In the presence of 10 mg/L Si and at pH approximately 6.8, the adsorption capacity of ferric hydroxide for As(V) and As(III) is reduced from 645 and 87 (mol/mmol Fe to 205 and 17 (mol/mmol, respectively. Sulfate and carbonate have negligible effect on the removal of As(III) and As(V). The results suggest that silicate in natural water can significantly decrease the efficiency of arsenic removal by coagulation treatment with iron coagulants. Disposable cartridges packed with 2.5 g of selective aluminosilicate adsorbent have been developed for separating As(V) from As(III). Arsenic speciation is performed by passing approximately 50 mL of water through the cartridges at a flow rate of 60(20 mL per min using a 50-mL syringe. As(V) in the water samples is removed by the cartridges and As(III) remains in the filtrate. The cartridges offer a convenient and inexpensive way for arsenic speciation in a pH range 4-9.
 
 
 

Abstract - March 1999

TRACE ELEMENTS CONCENTRATION IN SEDIMENT

TRACE ELEMENTS CONCENTRATION IN SEDIMENT AND SOME COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHS AND SHELL FISHES OF THE CHITTAGONG COAST , BANGLADESH

 Dr. Yusuf Sharif Ahmed Khan and
Mohammed Abul kashem
C/O. Mr. M.A. Taher
Information Service Officer
The British Council
S.S. Khaled Road, IEB Complex
G.P.O. Box-327
Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Fax No.-880-031-610435

 ABSTRACT
The Bengal Basin is one of the largest geosynclinal (a large depression or trough in the earth crust) basins of the world. Geologically, it is an active tectonic region. Bangladesh having an area of about 144,000 sq. km. with a population of more than 110 millions, is situated in the north -eastern part of the South Asian sub-continent, and has a vast area to the south in the Bay of Bengal. This is the largest delta in the region. formed by the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna rivers. Coastal area have always been favored sites of human settlement for its enormous wealth of fish's, shrimps and mangrove plants. The marine waters of Bangladesh posses a tropical multi-species fisheries ecosystem . Fish is not only the accessible protein food and source of essential aminoacids for the largest portion of the Bangladesh population, but also plays an important role in the national economy intern of income generation, provision of employment opportunity and nutrition. It contributes about 80% of the national animal protein intake , nearly 6% to the GDP and more than 12% to the export earning's. The marine and coastal environment of Bangladesh are degrading alarmingly form a wide range of land-based activities. Major threat comes form the urban effluents discharged into the sea or estuary from sea-front or rivers side cities, municipal, agriculture and industrial ventures. Other activities like human settlements, urban development and turisms, increase in water consumption, irrational expansion of coastal shrimp farming, port & shipping activities, deforestation, unplanned construction of coastal dikes and dams and salinity intrusion are also insidiously contributing to the coastal pollution. With rapid pace of industrialization and increase in human population effluents have posed a serious threat to the vast and varied fishery resources of the country. Water quality of major rivers is getting rapidly degraded due to massive discharge of industrial wastes of diverse origin, domestic sewage, fly ash, mine drainage, oil and surfactants, radioactive materials etc. Extensive use of pesticides and insecticides have put the interest of agriculture and aquaculture at cross purpose. Fish kill in the river, estuaries and coastal regions due to different metallic pollutant like mercury, lead, zinc, cadmium and copper have been reported. In recent days , Coastal areas of Chittagong are getting priority of industrial development that will compound the water quality problem further. This may lead to irreversible damage of our Coastal fishery slowly and totally. This high time to study in details the poll situation and their implication with marine fishery from various angles for proper fishery management. The Karnaphuli is one of the most important river system in the south-east coast of Bangladesh in the present work, we are selected the region because this area is one of the best research sites to estimate the human impact on the estuarin and coastal region. A study was carried out to determine the distribution and seasonal variation of trace metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn & Cr) concentration in bed sediment, fishes and shell fishes of the chittagong coastal region by employing air-acetylene flame in combination hollow cathod lamp & Atomic Absorption Spectophotometer (Perkin Elmer 3110). In sediments, metal concentration (ug-g-1) dry weight) were found to range from 13.158 to 65.789 for pb, 0.351 to 2.194 for Cd, 6.250 to 55.556 for Ni 30.204 to 85.459 for Cu, 26.053 to 126.21 for Zn , 282.11 to 1402.28 for Mn,11541.32 to 34857.14 for Fe and 70.891 to 306.82 for Cr. The mean values of pb, Cd, Cu and Cr recorded higher level in the setuary than those of the GESAMP Standards. It hints to the certain level of pollution which might be due to huge shipping activities, high industrialization including tanneries, untreated domestic sewage, city run-off etc. in the area. Six species of fishes (Polynemus indicus, pampus chinenses, Ilisha filigera , Jahnius argentatus, Nemipterus japonicus and Tachysurus thalassiorus) and 4 species of crustacean shellfishes (Penaeus monodon, Metapenaeus monoceros, Panulirus polyphagus and Neptunus pelagicus) were collected form the investigated area including the kumira and sitakundh coastal belt. Metal concentrations in muscle of the fishes and abdominal tissue (Muscle) of the shellfishes were performed. In muscle of the fishes, metal levels (ug-g-1dry weight) ranged from 1.052 to 9.474 for Pb, 0.351 to 0.912 for Cd, 0.952 to 4.444 for Ni, 0.408 to 16.531 for Cu, 6.392 to 43.0558 for Zn, 1.221 to 7.110 for Mn, 25.714 to 40.000 for Fe and 1.623 to 10.909 for Cr. In shellfishes (Penaeid shrimp, spiny lobster and blue crab) metal concentrations (ug-g-1 dry weight) ranged from 1.050 to 9.021 for Pb, 0.211 to 0.982 for Cd, 0.317 to 4.762 for Ni, 0.612 to 12.241 for Cu, 6.579 to 39.467 for Zn, 0.812 to 5.579 for Mn, 8.571 to 242.86 for Fe and 0.909 to 10.956 for Cr. However, the metal concentrations between fish and shellfish muscle were more or less similar except for Fe and Cr which were higher in shellfish muscle. The levels obtained for trace metals imply no noticeable health hazard for aquatic organisms and human consumers within the estuarine catchment.