Heavy metal concentration in arsenic contaminated groundwater of Chaco Province, Argentina

M. CECILIA GIMÉNEZ, ROSA M. OSICKA; PATRICIA S. BLANES; YAMILA MORISIO, SILVIA S. FARÍAS

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Congreso; 5º Congreso Internacional sobre el Arsénico en el Medio Ambiente; 2014

International Society of Gorundwater for Sustainable Development

The occurrence of arsenic and other trace elements have been investigated in groundwater Central region of Chaco Province, Northern Argentine. The arsenic concentrations samples ranged between 0.7 to 1990 µg/L; 91% (n = 45) exceeds the 10 µg/L WHO (World Health Organization) provisional standard limits for drinking water. A significant correlation between As and F has been detected (r2= 0.50). In addition, about 78%, 31%, 16%, 13% and 4.5% of groundwater samples had, respectively B, Fe, Al, Mn and Sb exceeding CAA (Código Alimentario Argentino) guideline values. The values corresponding to Cr, Be, Ni, Pb, Ag, Se and Zn were found below the quantification limit. The presence of As and heavy metals in the groundwater of this region may be due to local geochemical conditions that facilitate their transfer to water. This represents an important issue because it can cause a public health problem.