Arsenic in Latin America: A critical overview on the geochemistry of arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions for solving its environmental consequences

BUNDSCHUH, JOCHEN; CASELLI, ALBERTO T.; ARMIENTA, MARÍA AURORA; LÓPEZ, DINA L.; HERATH, INDIKA; TAPIA, JOSELINE; ORMACHEA, MAURICIO; MORALES-SIMFORS, NURY; INGUAGGIATO, CLAUDIO; CHOQUEHUAYTA, FREDY ERLINGTTON APAZA; JOSEPH, EROUSCILLA

THE SCIENCE OF TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

ELSEVIER

Año: 2020 vol. 716

0048-9697

Geothermal fluids and volcanic emissions are important sources of arsenic (As), resulting in elevated concentrations of As in ground-, surface-water and soil, which may adversely affect the environment. Arsenic originatingfrom geothermal features and volcanic activities is common in Latin America forming a serious threat to the livelihoods of millions of people. This review attempts to provide a critical overview of the geochemistry of As originating from these sources in Latin America to understand what information exists about and what futureresearch needs to be undertaken. This study evaluated 15 countries in Latin America. In total, 423 sites were characterized with As originating from geothermal sources, mostly related to present volcanic activity b Asb73 mg/L, mean: 36.5 mg/L) and the transboundary Guarani Aquifer System (0.001 b Asb0.114 mg/L, mean:0.06 mg/L). Many of the geothermal systems and volcanoes discussed in this study are close to densely populatedcities, including Bogota, Managua, San José, Guatemala City and Mexico City, where total As concentrations innatural ground- and surface- water exceed the safe drinking water guideline of 0.01 mg/L, recommended bythe World Health Organization (WHO). However, the wide geographical occurrence of As in geothermal fluidsand volcanic emissions of this region is by far not fully understood, so that development of geographical mapsbased on geographic information system (GIS) is an urgent necessity to understand the real nature of the problem. The assessment of environmental risks and the potential impacts on human health both inadequate andscarce and hence, these gaps need to be addressed by future research. The present holistic assessment of As originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions would be a driving force to formulate a plan for establishing a sustainable As mitigation in vulnerable areas of Latin America in the near future. An assessment of thegeochemistry, mobility and distribution of As would augment the effectiveness of the plan.