“The Source and Solution to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination” with Benjamin Bostick (28 Mar 2015)

The Source and Solution to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination

Guest Scientist: Benjamin Bostick
(Image credit: G. Hofer)

Originally presented: 28 Mar 2015

Abstract:
Arsenic is one of the most ubiquitous contaminants in groundwater and a major cause of disease worldwide. We will discuss reasons that specific areas have arsenic contamination, why those areas are at risk, implications of the problem, and potential engineered solutions to this problem.

This research was partially funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) grant to the Columbia University Superfund Research Program on the Health Effects and Geochemistry of Arsenic and Manganese (NIEHS 5 P42 ES010349-13).

Ben Bostick is a Lamont Associate Research Professor in the Geochemistry Division. He earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University, after obtaining his BS and MS degrees from the University of Idaho. His fields of study include soils, aqueous geochemistry, sediment redox cycling, biogeochemistry, mineralogy, and applications of spectroscopy in the Earth Sciences.

Dr. Bostick’s presentation: The Expanding Footprint of As Contamination in Asian Groundwaters

INTRODUCTORY SLIDE SHOW: Groundwater_2015 (pdf)

INTRODUCTORY SLIDE SHOW: Groundwater_2015 (ppt)

Pertinent NGSS — Groundwater and Water Resources

PREVIOUS E2C WORKSHOP ON THIS TOPIC:

“Arsenic in the Groundwaters of Bangladesh” with Dr. Alexander van Geen

“Visualization of Groundwater Flow Using Sand Boxes, Links to Local and International Water Resources Issues”
with Martin Stute

RELATED LDEO RESEARCH AND NEWS STORIES:

Scientific publications pertinent to this presentation:

Van Geen, et al. (2013) Retardation of arsenic transport through a Pleistocene aquifer. Nature, 501, 204 – 207. doi: 10.1038/nature12444.

Cambodia Groundwater Quality Survey

Environmental Tracer Group of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Members of our group work on a variety of projects including studies of water movement in natural systems (ocean, groundwater), reconstruction of continental paleotemperature records using aquifers as archives, gas exchange between the atmosphere and natural water bodies, and cosmogenic ³He in sediments.

Columbia As Project (NIEHS Superfund Research Program)
Health Effects and Geochemistry of Arsenic and Manganese
The Columbia University Superfund Research Program focuses on the health effects, geochemistry, and remediation of Arsenic (As) and Manganese (Mn), primarily in groundwater. The program seeks to obtain new scientific knowledge, to provide multidisciplinary training for pre- and post-doctoral students, and to facilitate the translation of its research findings and products into effective policy applications to improve public health

Superfund Online Mapping Project

News Stories:

“Battling the ‘largest mass poisoning in history”

“Pumping draws arsenic toward a big-city aquifer”

“Arsenic Stubbornly Taints Many U.S. Wells, Says New Study”

“Natural Processes Can Limit Spread of Arsenic in water, Says Study”

“Saving Poisoned Water”

RELATED SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES:

Arsenic in Soil and Groundwater: An Overview

Arsenic in Groundwater: A Summary of Sources and the Biogeochemical and HydrogeologicFactors Affecting
Arsenic Occurrence and Mobility

USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program
“Arsenic in Groundwater of the United States”

“Mapping Arsenic in Groundwater”