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Near-surface wetland sediments as a source of arsenic release to ground water in Asia

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew L. Polizzotto

    (School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA)

  • Benjamin D. Kocar

    (School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA)

  • Shawn G. Benner

    (Boise State University, Boise, Idaho 83705, USA)

  • Michael Sampson

    (Resource Development International – Cambodia, PO Box 494, Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

  • Scott Fendorf

    (School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA)

Abstract

Arsenic poisoning: Sources of contamination identified What may be the largest mass poisoning in history is occurring now, across southeast Asia, where millions of people are drinking arsenic-tainted well water. Arsenic is naturally derived from eroded Himalayan sediments, but the processes controlling passage of arsenic release into pore water remain unclear. This is partly attributed to a poor understanding of groundwater flow paths altered by extensive irrigation pumping. Polizzotto et al. now use hydrologic and biogeochemical measurements to show that on the minimally disturbed Mekong Delta of Cambodia, arsenic is released from near-surface, river-derived sediments and transported, on a centennial timescale, through the underlying aquifer back to the river. These results represent a model for understanding pre-disturbance conditions for other major deltas in Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew L. Polizzotto & Benjamin D. Kocar & Shawn G. Benner & Michael Sampson & Scott Fendorf, 2008. "Near-surface wetland sediments as a source of arsenic release to ground water in Asia," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7203), pages 505-508, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:454:y:2008:i:7203:d:10.1038_nature07093
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07093
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    Cited by:

    1. J. M. Gibson & D. Rigby & D. A. Polya & N. Russell, 2016. "Discrete Choice Experiments in Developing Countries: Willingness to Pay Versus Willingness to Work," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 65(4), pages 697-721, December.
    2. Xiaoyun Sui & Yongxia Chen & Zhi Lu & Yifeng Chen, 2015. "A bibliometric analysis of research papers related to the Mekong River," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(1), pages 419-434, October.
    3. Hosterman, H. R., 2009. "Water, climate change, and adaptation: focus on the Ganges River Basin," IWMI Working Papers H042415, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Thomas Murphy & Kongkea Phan & Kim Neil Irvine & David Lean, 2021. "The Role of Micronutrients and Toxic Metals in the Management of Epidemics in Cambodia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-25, October.

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