Abstract
We investigated if geologic factors are linked to elevated arsenic (As) concentrations above 5 μg/L in well water in the state of Virginia, USA. Using geologic unit data mapped within GIS and two datasets of measured As concentrations in well water (one from public wells, the other from private wells), we evaluated occurrences of elevated As (above 5 μg/L) based on geologic unit. We also constructed a logistic regression model to examine statistical relationships between elevated As and geologic units. Two geologic units, including Triassic-aged sedimentary rocks and Triassic-Jurassic intrusives of the Culpeper Basin in north-central Virginia, had higher occurrences of elevated As in well water than other geologic units in Virginia. Model results support these patterns, showing a higher probability for As occurrence above 5 μg/L in well water in these two units. Due to the lack of observations (<5%) having elevated As concentrations in our data set, our model cannot be used to predict As concentrations in other parts of the state. However, our results are useful for identifying areas of Virginia, defined by underlying geology, that are more likely to have elevated As concentrations in well water. Due to the ease of obtaining publicly available data and the accessibility of GIS, this study approach can be applied to other areas with existing datasets of As concentrations in well water and accessible data on geology.
Highlights
Worldwide, it is estimated that at least 140 million people drink well water with unsafe concentrations of arsenic (As) [1]
Since As is a known toxin and carcinogen [17,18], drinking water standards for As have been established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), among other agencies
A small percentage of samples (2.7% in Virginia Department of Health (VDH); 0.52% in Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP)) had concentrations between 5 and 10 μg/L; similar percentages (2.3% in VDH; 0.23% in VAHWQP) of samples had As concentrations > 10 μg/L
Summary
It is estimated that at least 140 million people drink well water with unsafe concentrations of arsenic (As) [1]. Since As is a known toxin and carcinogen [17,18], drinking water standards for As have been established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), among other agencies. The drinking water standard for As set by the WHO, EU, and USEPA is μg/L, many studies indicate that adverse health effects may be caused by ingesting. As concentrations lower than 10 μg/L [19,20,21] Such adverse health effects include heart disease [19,22], complications during pregnancy and quality of life in exposed children [23], and diabetes [24,25]. Arsenic is a component of over 200 naturally occurring minerals including sulfides, oxides, and silicates [26]. As can adsorb to mineral surfaces, including metal oxides and clays [27]
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