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oa Arsenic in Waters of the Nemyriv Drinking-Groundwater Field
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 17th International Conference Monitoring of Geological Processes and Ecological Condition of the Environment, Nov 2023, Volume 2023, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Arsenic is highly controversial element occurring in all environment components. As(III) is known to be more toxic than As(V), and significantly more toxic than its organic forms. The purpose of this study is to assess the arsenic forms in drinking waters of the Nemyriv groundwater field, as well as the conditions of its transition from one form to another. We have shown that As occurs as As(V) in the Nemyriv waters and its concentration does not exceed the MPC. The main mechanisms of aqueous As interaction with rocks are sorption on clay and iron minerals, and co-precipitation with the later. According to the modelling results, at realistic Eh values for Nemyriv waters arsenic occurs as a mixture of As(III) and As(V). Since As is a physiologically essential element, it is advisable to retain arsenic in drinking water in the less toxic As(V) form rather than remove it from the waters. This can be achieved by exposing the water to oxygen (e.g., in open air). The results obtained may be useful for Ukrainian regions with elevated As concentrations (including areas of active military operations), but specific studies, including geochemical modelling of such waters, should be performed for each region.
