Arsenic in Water Resources of the Southern Pampa Plains, Argentina

• Published in: Journal of Environmental and Public Health Vol. 2009; no. 2009; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Fiorentino, Carmen E., Sequeira, Mario E., Espósito, Martín E., Blanco, María del C., Paoloni, Juan D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2009; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Argentina; Arsenic - analysis; Arsenic - chemistry; Drinking Water - analysis; Drinking Water - chemistry; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Groundwater - analysis; Groundwater - chemistry; Public Health; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Argentina
• ISSN: 1687-9805; 1687-9813
• DOI: 10.1155/2009/216470

Confronted with the need for accessible sources of good quality water and in view of the fact that the threat to public health posed by arsenic occurs mainly through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water, the presence and distribution of arsenic was evaluated in the southern Pampa Plains of Bahía Blanca district in Argentina. The findings show variable concentrations of arsenic in a complex distribution pattern. Complementary information is provided on the behavior of the groundwater resource and its salinity in terms of dissolved ions. Groundwater is the most severely affected, 97% of the samples exceeding the guideline value for arsenic in drinking water as recommended by the WHO (Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, 2004). and showing maximum concentrations of up to 0.30 mg/L. Informing those responsible for preventive medicine and alerting the community at large will facilitate measures to mitigate exposure and ensure the safety of drinking water.