title: Arsenic contamination in the Kanker district of central-east India: geology and health effects.
abstract: This paper identifies newer areas of arsenic contamination in the District Kanker, which adjoins the District Rajnandgaon where high contamination has been reported earlier. A correlation with the mobile phase episodes of arsenic contamination has been identified, which further hinges on the complex geology of the area. Arsenic concentrations in both surface and groundwater, aquatic organisms (snail and water weeds) soil and vegetation of Kanker district and its adjoining area have been reported here. The region has been found to contain an elevated level of arsenic. All segments of the ecoysystem are contaminated with arsenic at varying degrees. The levels of arsenic vary constantly depending on the season and location. An analysis of groundwater from 89 locations in the Kanker district has shown high values of arsenic, iron and manganese (mean: 144, 914 and 371 microg L(-1), respectively). The surface water of the region shows elevated levels of arsenic, which is influenced by the geological mineralised zonation. The most prevalent species in the groundwater is As(III), whereas the surface water of the rivers shows a significant contamination with the As(V) species. The analysis shows a bio-concentration of the toxic metals arsenic, nickel, copper and chromium. Higher arsenic concentrations (groundwater concentrations greater than 50 microg L(-1)) are associated with sedimentary deposits derived from volcanic rocks, hence mineral leaching appears to be the source of arsenic contamination. Higher levels of arsenic and manganese in the Kanker district have been found to cause impacts on the flora and fauna. A case study of episodic arsenical diarrhoea is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Chemistry, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg, India. drpiyush_pandey@yahoo.com
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic