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Assessment of Arsenic (as) Contamination in Soils of Kushtia and Rangpur Districts

S. Mahmood
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M.M. Ali
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M.A. Baten
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. Hasan
Vegetable Division, BRAC Agricultural Research & Development Centre, Gazipur, Bangladesh

A.K.M.S. Islam*
Hybrid Rice Division, BRAC Agricultural Research & Development Centre, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.A. Rahman
Depertment of Genetics & Plant Breeding, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The total arsenic (As) contents of collected sixteen soil series were determined using FI-HG-AAS (Flow Injection Hybrid Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) method to find out whether the soils were contaminated or not in soil of different series in Kushtia and Rangpur districts, Bangladesh. Besides arsenic, other elements viz. soil properties like sand, silt, clay, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen content and exchangeable cations like Ca, K and Na were also estimated in the Soil Science laboratory at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh. Results showed that the As level of Kushtia district ranged from 12.03 mg/kg - 20.06 mg/kg. The lowest As contaminated soil series in Kushtia district was Gopalpur 1 (12.03 mg/kg) and the highest contaminated soil series in Kushtia district was Ishurdi (20.06 mg/kg). In Rangpur district, the As level ranged from 1.81 mg/kg - 6.97 mg/kg, where all the soil series were non-contaminated. Kaunia 2 (6.97 mg/kg) and Belabo 1 (5.15 mg/kg) soil series were slightly contaminated with refers a level of 6 mg/kg and Belabo 2 (4.72 mg/kg) soil series were also slightly contaminated with refers a level of 5 mg/kg. The total As contents in the different surface soils were varied mainly due to local differences in the soil types, biogeochemical activities and farm management practices.

Keywords: Region, Contamination, Soils, Quantity, Arsenic (As).

Location: Kushtia and Rangpur Districts

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Soil Arsenic

Objectives:

This study was initiated for the assessment of arsenic status of Kushtia and Rangpur districts whether the soils have undergone any contamination or not.

Methodology:

Description of the Study Area: The study area was covered sixteen soil series in Bangladesh namely Garuri 1, Garuri 2, Gopalpur 1, Gopalpur 2, Sara, Ishurdi, Ghior from Ganges River Floodplain from Kushtia district and Pirgacha 1, Pirgacha 2, Kaunia 1, Kaunia 2 and Gangachara from Tista Meander Floodpalin and Chandra 1, Chandra 2 Belabo 1 and Belabo 2 soil series from North-Eastern Barind Tract from Rangpur district. Soil samples had been collected from Ganges River Floodplain area during January, 2010 and from Tista Meander Floodplain and North-Eastern Barind Tract area during June, 2009. The representative soil series are identified with the help of Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI). For better understanding the sampling sites are described in Table 01 and Table 02. The soil samples were collected on a profile basis from each location and taken to the laboratory of BINA for their institutional research program. In this study, only different surface soils have been used for the assessment of As and selected data are also used in this study. Some physicochemical data have been used from a previous study (personnel communication with M. M. Ali, BINA). Sample Preparation and Laboratory Analysis Air-dried soil samples were ground and passed through 100 mesh sieve and stored in a plastic bottle for laboratory analysis. Approximately 0.5 grams of air-dried soil samples were taken in a glass bottle for oven drying. After oven drying at 500 C for 24 hours, all the samples were crushed and made into a fine homogenous powder within approximately 12 minutes using an agate morter and a pestle. The agate morter and pestle were cleaned with ethanol to ensure that the trace metal contamination did not originate from the grinding process. Methods of Analysis Soil texture Sand, silt and clay contents were determined by hydrometer method (Bouyouscos, 1962). Fifty gram of air dry sample from each sampling depth was taken in a dispersion cup and 10 ml of 5% calgon solution was added to each sample and then left for 15 minutes for reaction. Distilled water was added into each cup up to 2/3rd of the cup. The suspension was then stirred with an electrical stirrer for 10 minutes. The contents of each dispersion cup were then transferred to one litter sedimentation cylinders separately and distilled water added to make the volume up to 1 litter mark. An appropriate rubber cork was placed on the mouth of the cylinder and the cylinder was inverted several times until the whole soil mass appeared in the suspension. The cylinder was set right and the hydrometer readings were taken at 40 seconds and 2 hours of sedimentation. The correction of hydrometer readings were made as the hydrometer was calibrated at 68⁰F. Soil pH Soil pH was determined by glass electrode pH meter as described by Jackson (1962). Twenty gram air-dry soil was taken in a beaker and 50 ml distilled water was added to it. The suspension was stirred well for several times during the next 30 minutes and allowed to stand for about an hour. Then the electrode was immersed into the partly settled soil suspension and pH was measured. The result was reported as “Soil pH measured in water” (Soil-water ratio being 1: 2.5). Organic carbon Organic carbon was determined titrimetrically by Walkely and Black’s (1935) wet Oxidation method with oxidation of organic carbon with potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). According to procedure 2 g soil along with 10 ml 1 N K2Cr2O7 solution and 20 ml of conc. H2SO4 was taken in a 500 ml conical flask. After 30 minutes rest, about 200 ml distilled water and 10 ml conc. H3PO4 were added. Then 40 drops of diphenylamine indicator (C12H11N) was added and titrated against XN ferrous sulphate solution until Soil pH Soil pH was determined by glass electrode pH meter as described by Jackson (1962). Twenty gram air-dry soil was taken in a beaker and 50 ml distilled water was added to it. The suspension was stirred well for several times during the next 30 minutes and allowed to stand for about an hour. Then the electrode was immersed into the partly settled soil suspension and pH was measured. The result was reported as “Soil pH measured in water” (Soil-water ratio being 1: 2.5). Organic carbon Organic carbon was determined titrimetrically by Walkely and Black’s (1935) wet Oxidation method with oxidation of organic carbon with potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). According to procedure 2 g soil along with 10 ml 1 N K2Cr2O7 solution and 20 ml of conc. H2SO4 was taken in a 500 ml conical flask. After 30 minutes rest, about 200 ml distilled water and 10 ml conc. H3PO4 were added. Then 40 drops of diphenylamine indicator (C12H11N) was added and titrated against XN ferrous sulphate solution until.Analysis of Arsenic Reagents All reagents were of analytical reagent grade. Distilled de ionized water was used throughout. standard solutions were prepared by dissolving appropriate amounts of As2O3 (Merck, Germany), standard arsenic (V) Titrisol (Merck, Germany), CH3AsO3Na2.6H2O (Carlo-Erba, Italy) and (CH3)2AsO2Na.3H2O (Sigma, USA). Standard stock solutions were stored in glass bottles and kept refrigerated. Dilute arsenic solutions for analysis were prepared daily. Cation [Dowex X-50w (H+ form)]and anion [Dowex-1 (Clform)] exchange resins (Sigma, USA) were used. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Merck, Germany) was used as a 0.5% (w/v) solution and purified shaking with chloroform. Ashing acid suspension was prepared by stirring 10% (w/v) Mg(NO3)2.6H2O and 1% (w/v) MgO in water until homogenous.

Source of Information: International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | Vol. 8, No. 5, p. 219-228, 2016; ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub.net

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It can be concluded that in terms of the distribution of As in the soils of this study hold a clear benefit for the country. A clear difference in the As contents was observed in the soils of Kushtia and Rangpur districts probably due to the differences in the soil types, biogeochemical and farm management practices. The difference in the As contents of different soil series might be due to the variations in the landscape characteristics. In considering the present catastrophic ground water As contamination under the results of the soils of these two areas will play a significant role in Bangladesh. Routine research with wide public awareness, government participation and government regulations are essential for developing of safe and sound environment for the future.

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