Arsenic in Groundwater in Eastern New England: Occurrence, Controls, and Human Health Implications
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- 作者：Joseph D. Ayotte ; Denise L. Montgomery ; Sarah M. Flanagan ; and Keith W. Robinson
- 刊名：Environmental Science & Technology
- 出版年：2003
- 出版时间：May 15, 2003
- 年：2003
- 卷：37
- 期：10
- 页码：2075 - 2083
- 全文大小：496K
- 年卷期：v.37,no.10(May 15, 2003)
- ISSN：1520-5851
文摘
In eastern New England, high concentrations (greaterthan 10 
g/L) of arsenic occur in groundwater. Privatelysupplied drinking water from bedrock aquifers often hasarsenic concentrations at levels of concern to human health,whereas drinking water from unconsolidated aquifers isleast affected by arsenic contamination. Water from wellsin metasedimentary bedrock units, primarily in Maineand New Hampshire, has the highest arsenic concentrations-nearly 30% of wells in these aquifers produce waterwith arsenic concentrations greater than 10 g/L. Arsenicwas also found at concentrations of 3-40 mg/kg inwhole rock samples in these formations, suggesting apossible geologic source. Arsenic is most commonin groundwater with high pH. High pH is related togroundwater age and possibly the presence of calcite inbedrock. Ion exchange in areas formerly inundated byseawater also may increase pH. Wells sampled twice duringperiods of 1-10 months have similar arsenic concentrations(slope = 0.89; r-squared = 0.97). On the basis of water-use information for the aquifers studied, about 103 000 peoplewith private wells could have water supplies with arsenicat levels of concern (greater than 10 g/L) for humanhealth.
g/L) of arsenic occur in groundwater. Privatelysupplied drinking water from bedrock aquifers often hasarsenic concentrations at levels of concern to human health,whereas drinking water from unconsolidated aquifers isleast affected by arsenic contamination. Water from wellsin metasedimentary bedrock units, primarily in Maineand New Hampshire, has the highest arsenic concentrations-nearly 30% of wells in these aquifers produce waterwith arsenic concentrations greater than 10 g/L. Arsenicwas also found at concentrations of 3-40 mg/kg inwhole rock samples in these formations, suggesting apossible geologic source. Arsenic is most commonin groundwater with high pH. High pH is related togroundwater age and possibly the presence of calcite inbedrock. Ion exchange in areas formerly inundated byseawater also may increase pH. Wells sampled twice duringperiods of 1-10 months have similar arsenic concentrations(slope = 0.89; r-squared = 0.97). On the basis of water-use information for the aquifers studied, about 103 000 peoplewith private wells could have water supplies with arsenicat levels of concern (greater than 10 g/L) for humanhealth.