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Arsenic Concentrations of Groundwater and Rice Grains in Bangladesh and Phytoremediation

Jahidul Mohammad Islam
Department of Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Korea

Bomchul Kim
Department of Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Korea

Nahida Laiju
Department of Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Korea

Tarek Nasirullah
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University, Bangladesh

Mohammad Nuruddin Miah
Sher-E Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

While groundwater is the major source for drinking and irrigation purposes, arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is a serious issue in Bangladesh. With a view to reduce As contamination in drinking water the guideline value recommended for Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/L. We assessed groundwater As in an As-affected Sadar Upazilla (small administrative unit) in the District (administrative unit) of Chapai Nabwabganj during 2006, where 50% hand tube well water were above the recommended limit (0.05 mg/L) during dry season. Almost 20% tube well waters were above the recommended limit during rainy season, perhaps due to the dilution of water table. The groundwater in Bangladesh contaminates surface soils and plants thereby As entering the food chain. In 2005, we examined the As levels in different rice varieties grown in different Districts of Bangladesh and the As concentrations in rice grain ranged from 0.07~1.12 mg/kg while the concentrations in 3 rice varieties were above the recommended limit (1 mg/kg rice grain) and the maximum concentration was 1.12 mg/kg rice grain in the rice variety BR 11. With few exceptions, the As content of rice grain in Bangladesh is not considered to be concentration of greaterhealth concern as yet. We also observed enhanced root uptake, efficient root-to shoot translocation, and a much elevated tolerance through internal detoxification all contribute to As hyperaccumulation in a plant, ladder brake fern (Pteris vittata L.). But the phytoremediation technique might not be an appropriate tool to reduce the As calamity in the vast areas of Bangladesh. To mitigate the As problem of Bangladesh, better coordination among governmental agencies and many other organizations will be required to combat the disaster.

Keywords: Arsenic, Bangladesh, Groundwater, Phytoremediation, Rice grains

Location: Sadar Upazilla of the Chapai Nabwabganj District

Start Date: 00-03-2006

End Date: 00-08-2006

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Rice, Arsenic, Groundwater

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to (1) assess As concentrations in groundwater in some areas of the District of Chapai Nawabganj, (2) compare As concentrations among different rice varieties grown in Bangladesh and (3) investigate the effects of arsenic concentrations on the accumulation of arsenic in plant tissues.

Methodology:

Arsenic in P. vittata (pot experiment) and rice grains A pot experiment was carried out to investigate uptake behavior of As by a plant, ladder brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) during 2006. The test plants were germinated from spores and grown in soils used throughout the experiment. At the three-to-four frond stage, seedlings were transferred to plastic pots, each containing 4 kg of air-dried soil. The concentra-tions of As in the soil were measured. Soil pH was determined in a soil: water (1:2.5) suspension. The soil was amended with arsenate (Na2HAsO4) at As concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg. Arsenic doses were applied with deionized water. Each treatment was replicated four times.Because studies have shown that P. vittata can accumulate higher amounts of As in the presence of higher As content in soils, we used low As doses to reflect more typical soil As concentrations. Plants were harvested on day 55 after transplanting. After sun drying, fronds and roots were dried for 24h at 65°C and then ground in a Wiley Mill to pass through a 1 mm-mesh screen. We collected different rice grain samples from different As affected areas of Bangladesh to compare As content in rice grains. Our survey encompassed areas with both high and low average As tube well waters. Grain was sourced from markets and directly from farmers. Only the edible portion of the sample was analyzed.Arsenic concentrations in soils were determined by ato-mic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with hydride generator situated at Soil Science laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh (APHA, 1998). Total As content of P. vittata and rice grains were determined by digesting the respective dried-ground plant sample and rice grains with tri-acid mixture (HNO3: H2SO4: HClO4 =10: 1: 4) until whitish colored. The digest was cooled and then filtered through Whatman No. 42 filter paper and finally diluted to 50 mL. A Perkin-Elmer Analyst 100 atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a FIAS-100-flow injection hydride generation system was used for all As determinations. All samples were pre- reduced with concentrated HCl (1 mL), 5% KI and ascor-bic acid mixture prior to hydride generation. All glassware and plasticware was previously acid washed in 2% HNO3, rinsed in deionized water and dried. Three replicates of rice grains and five replicates of P. vittata were analyzed for each sample. Collection of groundwater and determination of arsenic concentrations We collected 100 tube well water samples from an As affected area of Sadar Upazilla of the Chapai Nabwabganj District, to evaluate groundwater As status of that area. The depth of the tube wells ranged from 20 m to 70 m. Samples were collected during the dry (March ~ April) and rainy (July ~ August) seasons during 2006. Sampling times were selected to assess the variability in groundwater As concentrations during the dry and rainy season. Water samples were collected following technique as outlined by APHA (1998). Samples were collected in pre-cleaned polyethylene bottles that were previously rinsed with ultra-pure water. Before sampling, poly-ethylene bottles were again rinsed 2 to 3 times with samples, and collected samples were stored in the dark at 4°C. All glassware and plasticware were previously acid washed in 2% HNO3, rinsed in deionized water and dried. The As concen-tration was determined by Perkin-Elmer Analyst 100 atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a FIAS- 100-flow injection hydride generation system and all water samples were pre-reduced with concentrated HCl (1 mL), 5% KI and ascorbic acid mixture prior to hydride generation.

Source of Information: Journal of Korean Society on Water Quality, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2010

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Achievement/Findings:

Long-term solutions will likely have to be tailored to local environments, and it is counterproductive to defer immediate action until long-term alternatives are more completely implemented. Arsenic contamination was not a problem for Bangladesh in the past but it has become a serious problem now. In near past, arsenic was also in earth crust, nature, and even in drinking water, but as there were no provisions for measurement of As, it was not detected like chloride, iron, pH etc. Panic must not be created but the people should be made aware of the situation for As mitigation. Government efforts are much less than expected compared to the wide range of calamity. An effective integrated master plan is required to address As contamination using locally available materials with low-cost and simple technology. Creation of more reservoirs will be important to reduce the reliance on groundwater. Planned extraction of ground-water for irrigation to maximize the recharge of groundwater and maintaining sufficient river flows should be ensured to minimize the decomposition of pyrites. Finally, proper strategic planning and management efforts are urgently needed including coordination among governmental, NGO, scientific, educational, technological, local administration and political leadership.

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