Techniques and methods of arsenic contaminated groundwater exploration in the Hetao plain of Inner Mongolia, China

1990年报道了在中国内蒙古河套平原由于饮用污染的地下水而患砷中毒的病例.估计目前内蒙受到砷中毒影响的居民已超过41万人.从1997年至2004年,在长达8年的时间里,我们进行了水文地质调查、地质调查和医学调查,并装置了管道输送的供水系统.这些调查揭示了河套平原地下水受砷污染的机理:由于被吸收的砷释放进入地下水,蓄水层中不断加强的还原环境造成铁氢氧化物的溶解.为了防止砷中毒病人数量的进一步增加,停止饮用污染过的水和供应安全的饮用水是重要的.我们需要根据当地的地质和水文地质条件来了解砷污染的机理.

Techniques and methods of arsenic contaminated groundwater exploration in the Hetao plain of Inner Mongolia,China

In 1990,the chronic arsenicosis patients due to drinking contaminated groundwater were reported in the Hetao plain of Inner Mongolia,China.At present,it is estimated that more than 410,000 of inhabitants are damaged by arsenic poisoning in Inner Mongolia.We carried out hydrogeoiogical survey,geological survey,medical survey and installation of piped water supply systems for an 8-year period from 1997 to 2004.These surveys revealed the mechanism of the groundwater contamination by arsenic in the Hetao plain as follows: Fe-oxyhydroxide is dissolved by intensifying reducing condition in the aquifers as a result the adsorbed arsenic is released into groundwater.In order to prevent further increase of arsenicosis patients,it is important to stop ingesting contaminated water,and to supply safe drinking water.For that purpose we need to understand the mechanism of arsenic contamination based on geological and hydrogeological conditions of the field.