Abstract
Two predominant species of arsenic compounds, As(III) and As(V), are found in soils and natural water and they have been classified as carcinogens. The focus of the present study was to examine the speciation of Arsenic (As) across the water-sediment interface at the confluence of drainage for Gaya city and the Falgu River. Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze the organic arsenic species while the inorganic arsenic species, As(III) and As(V), were analyzed by Anion Exchange Chromatography (AEC) coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The determination of total arsenic load was carried out by colorimetric method using silver diethyldithiocarbamate and was measured at 535 nm. Results revealed that the waters contained Monomethylarsine (MMA), Dimethylarsine (DMA), Trimethylarsine (TMA), As(III) as Arsenite (AsO3-3) and As(V) as Arsenate (AsO4-3). However, the methylated species were found in much higher concentrations in pore water from the sediment as compared to in the free water. The high levels of arsenic compounds found at the drainage sites pose a threat to human health and as such should be monitored and remediated promptly by the local and state governments.
Highlights
Arsenic is a metalloid, which exists broadly in two different forms and they are found in many different environments such as soil, fresh water, seawater, estuaries and sewage (Thayer, 2002; Dopp et al, 2004; Craig, 2003)
The focus of the present study was to examine the speciation of Arsenic (As) across the water-sediment interface at the confluence of drainage for Gaya city and the Falgu River
Many developing countries are struggling to establish a standard of even 50 μg L−1 and as such, it is of dire importance that the level and underlying mechanisms of arsenic pollution be understood
Summary
Arsenic is a metalloid, which exists broadly in two different forms and they are found in many different environments such as soil, fresh water, seawater, estuaries and sewage (Thayer, 2002; Dopp et al, 2004; Craig, 2003). The two main forms of arsenic present in the environment are As(III) and As(V), both of which are carcinogens causing skin, kidney, bladder and lung cancer. Both of these compounds are toxic as they can modify proteins and inhibit enzymes involving oxidative phosphorylation and energy transfer (Ehrlich, 1996). The extent of arsenic poisoning within an individual is strongly correlated to the amount of arsenic the individual has been exposed to or has ingested As a result, both the European Union and World Health Organization (Sayato, 1989) allow a maximum arsenic concentration of 10 μg L−1 in water. Many developing countries are struggling to establish a standard of even 50 μg L−1 and as such, it is of dire importance that the level and underlying mechanisms of arsenic pollution be understood
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