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Natural organic matter influences arsenic release into ground water: study

The type of natural organic matter influences the rate and level of arsenic release in ground water, report European researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology.

Millions of people worldwide consume water contaminated with levels of arsenic that exceed those recommended by the World Health Organization, according to a news release from the American Chemical Society. This could cause health problems, such as arsenic poisoning, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Microbes in ground water release arsenic from sediments, and organic matter helps fuel this reaction. Now, researchers have discovered that the type of natural organic matter influences the rate and level of arsenic release.

Read the full study.

Citation:

“Role of in Situ Natural Organic Matter in Mobilizing As during Microbial Reduction of FeIII-Mineral-Bearing Aquifer Sediments from Hanoi (Vietnam)”

1. Glodowska, E. Stopelli, M. Schneider, A. Lightfoot, B. Rathi, D. Straub, M. Patzner, V. T. Duyen, AdvectAs Team Members, M. Berg, S. Kleindienst, and A. Kappler

Environmental Science & Technology Article ASAP DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07183