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Arsenic Contamination in Some Selected Soils of Bangladesh

M. M. Hossain
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. A. Sattar
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. A. Hashem
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. R. Islam
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The arsenic status of some selected soils was determined in ten thanas of four arsenic affected districts of Bangladesh. Thirty soil samples taking three from each of 10 thanas representing 4 districts viz. Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari and Madaripur of Bangladesh were collected. The soils were collected from 3 depths viz. 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm from each location. The arsenic content in soils of Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari and Madaripur districts ranged from 3.96-25.09, 0-38.67, 1.32-36.99 and 1.32-38.19 ppm, respectively. Out of 30 samples, arsenic content was noticed for 21 samples at 0-15 cm depth (1.98-46.09 ppm), 26 samples at 15-30 cm depth (1.98-51.73 ppm) and 27 samples at 30-45 cm depth (1.98-54.05 ppm). Nine samples at 0-15 cm, 4 samples at 15-30 cm and 3 samples at 30-45 cm were free from arsenic contamination. On the other hand, 7 samples at 0-15 cm depth, 6 samples at 15-30 cm depth and 4 samples at 30-45 cm depth were found to be slightly arsenic contaminated. Correlation study of arsenic contents of soils was done with some soil properties viz. sand, silt and clay contents, soil pH, EC and organic matter status. Results showed that arsenic content correlated significantly with different soil properties.

Keywords: Arsenic, contamination, Soil

Location: Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari and Madaripur

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Contamination of soil

Objectives:

To determine the arsenic status at different soil depths of some selected soils of Bangladesh and
To find out the relationship between soil properties and arsenic content.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted with the soils of 10 thanas representing 4 districts of Bangladesh. The selected thanas are Gopalganj Sadar, Tungipara under Gopalganj district; Faridpur Sadar, Sadarpur, Bhanga, Nagarkanda under Faridpur district; Rajbari Sadar, Goalaundha under Rajbari district and Madaripur Sadar, and Rajair under Madaripur district. The soil sampling sites were selected with the help of the staffs of the Department of Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) of the respective area, the sites were selected on the basis of available records of high arsenic concentration in soils. Soil samples were collected from three locations of 10 thanas. Thus, a total of thirty composite soil samples were collected from 10 thanas. The samples were collected at three different depths viz. 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm. Each composite samples was a combination of three individual soil sample collected from different spots of the same field. The area from where one composite sample was taken ranged from 0.5 to 5 ha of land and the plant roots, leaves, gravels etc. were picked up and discarded. Finally, about 1 kg of each soil was put into the plastic bag labeled properly and then carried to the laboratory, of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh for subsequent physical and chemical analysis. The collected soil samples were dried at room temperature, ground and sieved through a 2-mm sieve. Then the entire amount of soil was thoroughly mixed. The prepared samples were preserved in polythene bags after proper labeling for laboratory analysis. The soil samples were analyzed for sand, silt and clay contents (Piper, 1950), Soil pH (Jackson, 1962) and organic carbon and electrical conductivity (EC) (Page et al., 1982). Arsenic contents of the soils were determined by molybdenum heteropoly blue method as described by Allen (1974).

Source of Information: OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences 1 (10): 989-992, 2001

Article Link (Online Journal): http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/jbs/2001/989-992.pdf

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the findings, it can be concluded that arsenic status in most of the selected soils were low except in few cases. In general, most of the surface soil, arsenic status was normal that is not harmful although a very few soils showed minor arsenic contamination. Further studies should be done to identify the arsenic contaminated soils all over Bangladesh. Most sensitive method(s) and precision of the methods should be done. Public awareness and the involvement of government and non-government organizations are necessary to minimize the arsenic disaster in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal