Search

The total arsenic withdrawn by the seven shallow tubewells used for agricultural irrigation in the arsenic-affected areas of Nadia district per year is 3851 g (mean: 550 g, range: 118-2410 g). When the amount of arsenic in the groundwater is high, it has been observed that the levels of arsenic in agricultural land soil and plants are correspondingly high. Arsenic concentration in paddy field soil and plants is higher, compared to other agricultural field soil and plants. Pond water is safer for cultivation compared to irrigated groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Total arsenic withdrawn by the four shallow tubewells, used for agricultural irrigation in the arsenic-affected areas of Murshidabad district per year is 6.79kg (mean: 1.79kg, range: 0.56–3.53kg) and the mean arsenic deposition on land per year is 5.02kgha−1 (range: 2–9.81kgha−1). Mean soil arsenic concentrations in surface, root of plants, below ground level (0–30cm) and all the soils, collected from four agricultural lands are 14.2mg/kg (range: 9.5–19.4mg/kg, n=99), 13.7mg/kg (range: 7.56–20.7mg/kg, n=99), 14.8mg/kg (range: 8.69–21mg/kg, n=102) and 14.2mg/kg (range: 7.56–21mg/kg, n=300) respectively. Higher the arsenic in groundwater, higher the arsenic in agricultural land soil and plants has been observed. Mean arsenic concentrations in root, stem, leaf and all parts of plants are 996ng/g (range: <0.04–4850ng/g, n=99), 297ng/g (range: <0.04–2900ng/g, n=99), 246ng/g (range: <0.04–1600ng/g, n=99) and 513ng/g (range: <0.04–4850ng/g, n=297) respectively. Approximately 3.1–13.1, 0.54–4.08 and 0.36–3.45% of arsenic is taken up by the root, stem and leaf respectively, from the soil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Analyzes the water of all tubewells used for drinking in Samta village in the Jessore district, Bangladesh. Confirmation from the survey that the arsenic contamination in Samta was one of the worst in the Ganges basin including West Bengal, India; Percentage of the tubewells that had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mg/l.

Presents a study which investigated the arsenic and heavy metals contamination of groundwater in West Bengal, India. Materials and methodology; Details on the agricultural management system in the arsenic-affected area; Results and discussion.

An investigation of total arsenic in food composites, collected from the villagers, was carried out in arsenic-affected areas of the Murshidabad district, West Bengal where the agricultural system is mostly groundwater dependent. The shallow, large-diameter tubewells installed for agricultural irrigation contain an appreciable amount of arsenic (mean 0.085 mg/l, n=6). Even the soil is arsenic-contaminated (mean 11.35 mg/kg, n=36), so some arsenic can be expected in the food chain from crops cultivated in this area. The results revealed that the individual food composite and food groups containing the highest mean arsenic concentrations (μg/kg) are potato skin (292.62 and 104), leaf of vegetables (212.34 and 294.67), arum leaf (331 and 341), papaya (196.50 and 373), rice (226.18 and 245.39), wheat (7 and 362), cumin (47.86 and 209.75), turmeric powder (297.33 and 280.9), cereals and bakery goods (156.37 and 294.47), vegetables (91.73 and 123.22), spices (92.22 and 207.60) and miscellaneous items (138.37 and 137.80) for the Jalangi and Domkal blocks, respectively. Arsenic is absorbed by the skin of most of the vegetables. The arsenic concentration in fleshy vegetable material is low (mean 2.72 μg/kg, n=45). Higher levels of arsenic were observed in cooked items compared with raw. Daily dietary intakes of arsenic (μg) from the foodstuffs for adults are 171.20 and 189.13 and for children are 91.89 and 101.63 in the Jalangi and Domkal blocks, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]