What are the causes of arsenic in groundwater?

Groundwater occurs generally under unconfined hydro-geologic conditions. (v) The arsenic groundwater contamination is attributed to the geogenic origin, and the source of arsenic in localized patches is due to presence of Arsenopyrite in clay and sand. Arsenic concentration is more in clay than in sand.

What is the main source of arsenic in ground?

The Earth’s crust is an abundant natural source of arsenic. It is present in more than 200 different minerals, the most common of which is called arsenopyrite. About one-third of the arsenic in the Earth’s atmosphere is of natural origin. Volcanic action is the most important natural source.

How contaminated is Indiana’s water?

According to an independent research group called Environment America, Indiana has the worst water pollution of any other state. Industrial facilities dumped 206 million pounds of toxic chemicals into US waterways in 2012 – more than 17 million pounds of that was in Indiana alone, more than any other state in the U.S.

Where are the highest concentrations of arsenic found in groundwater?

Fallon, Nevada has long been known to have groundwater with relatively high arsenic concentrations (in excess of 0.08 mg/L). Even some surface waters, such as the Verde River in Arizona, sometimes exceed 0.01 mg/L arsenic, especially during low-flow periods when the river flow is dominated by groundwater discharge.

What foods are high in arsenic?

The highest levels of arsenic (in all forms) in foods can be found in seafood, rice, rice cereal (and other rice products), mushrooms, and poultry, although many other foods, including some fruit juices, can also contain arsenic.

How long does arsenic stay in system?

Both inorganic and organic forms leave your body in your urine. Most of the inorganic arsenic will be gone within several days, although some will remain in your body for several months or even longer. If you are exposed to organic arsenic, most of it will leave your body within several days.

Where does arsenic come from naturally?

Inorganic arsenic compounds are found in soils, sediments, and groundwater. These compounds occur either naturally or as a result of mining, ore smelting, and industrial use of arsenic. Organic arsenic compounds are found mainly in fish and shellfish.

Is it legal to drill your own well in Indiana?

Water well drillers are required by law (IC 25-39-4-1 and 312 IAC 13-2-6) to keep an accurate record of each well and to submit the record to the Division of Water. A landowner can ask the driller for a copy of the well record as a pre-condition to drilling the well. Drawdown of static water level during yield test.

Is Indiana tap water drinkable?

Lead In Indianapolis Drinking Water While the city is currently in compliance with federal regulations, EPA, CDC, and American Academy of Pediatrics both acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead, and federal regulations do not take into account levels measured at an individual tap.

How does arsenic affect groundwater quality?

When they oxidized and arsenic is released from the minerals. Some of them are absorbed onto iron hydroxide. But when water table is recharged and the arsenic adsorbed onto iron hydroxide returns to the reduced environment under the water table and mixes with water and caused the poisoning of water.

Do bananas have arsenic?

Apples, unsweetened applesauce, avocados, bananas, beans, cheese, grapes, hard-boiled eggs, peaches, strawberries and yogurt are snacks that were found to be low in heavy metals. 4. Past tests found inorganic arsenic and lead in many brands of apple and grape juices.

Can the body get rid of arsenic?

Where is arsenic contamination of groundwater a problem?

An analysis of water and food consumption in Socaire, a rural village in Chile, found that between November 2008 and September 2009, the total intake of arsenic by the villagers correlated with the amount of water and local produce consumed. Arsenic contamination of the groundwater in Bangladesh is a serious problem.

Why is there arsenic in our drinking water?

Arsenic also can be released into groundwater as a result of human activities, such as mining, and from its various uses in industry, in animal feed, as a wood preservative, and as a pesticide. In drinking-water supplies, arsenic poses a problem because it is toxic at low levels and is a known carcinogen.

Where can I get my drinking water tested for arsenic?

If your home is not on a public water system, you can have your water tested for arsenic. Your state certification officer should be able to provide a list of laboratories in your area that will perform tests on drinking water for a fee. How do I remove arsenic from my drinking water?

Where is the problem of arsenic contamination in India?

The problem is most severe in the Terai region, the worst being near Nawalparasi District, where 26 percent of shallow wells failed to meet WHO standard of 10 ppb.