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Review
. 2023 May;45(5):1261-1287.
doi: 10.1007/s10653-022-01330-9. Epub 2022 Jul 16.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater and food chain with mitigation options in Bengal delta with special reference to Bangladesh

Nishita Ivy  1 , Triparna Mukherjee  2 , Sayan Bhattacharya  1 , Abhrajyoti Ghosh  2 , Prabhakar Sharma  3
Affiliations
Review

Arsenic contamination in groundwater and food chain with mitigation options in Bengal delta with special reference to Bangladesh

Nishita Ivy et al. Environ Geochem Health. 2023 May.

Abstract

Bangladesh, situated in Bengal delta, is one of the worst affected countries by arsenic contamination in groundwater. Most of the people in the country are dependent on groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes. Currently, 61 districts out of 64 districts of Bangladesh are affected by arsenic contamination. Drinking arsenic contaminated groundwater is the main pathway of arsenic exposure in the population. Additionally, the use of arsenic-contaminated groundwater for irrigation purpose in crop fields in Bangladesh has elevated arsenic concentration in surface soil and in the plants. In many arsenic-affected countries, including Bangladesh, rice is reported to be one of the significant sources of arsenic contamination. This review discussed scenario of groundwater arsenic contamination and transmission of arsenic through food chain in Bangladesh. The study further highlighted the human health perspectives of arsenic exposure in Bangladesh with possible mitigation and remediation options employed in the country.

Keywords: Arsenic mitigation; Bangladesh; Bengal delta; Bioaccumulation; Food chain.

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References

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