Factor analysis to explain As mobilization: A case study for an area in West Bengal, India

Authors: Majumder, S., Chatterjee, D., Biswas, A., Berner, Z. and Neidhardt, H.

Journal: Water Rock Interaction Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Water Rock Interaction Wri 13

Pages: 403-406

Abstract:

High arsenic (As) groundwater is a global issue and notably in south-east Asia. Asystematic screening (sampling) operation has been conducted for hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwaters in rural parts of West Bengal, India. The groundwaters are dominantly Ca-HCO 3 --type usually occurring in the study area; however, NaCl-enriched samples are also observed. Statistical factor analysis has been employed to delineate the interaction among the analyzed hydrochemical elements and their role to mobilize arsenic from sediments to the groundwater. The study reveals that besides oxihydroxides, Fe-bearing aluminosilicates could also influence As release to groundwater. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.

Source: Scopus