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Contamination of Agricultural Land by Arsenic from Irrigated Water

Shahinara Begum
Assistant Engineer
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation.

Debjit Roy
Scientific Officer
Irrigation and Water Management Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute.

Shoukat Ali Akhand
Assistant Engineer
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Arsenic pollution in water as well as in soil is now a great challenge in Bangladesh. Arsenic is not only present in water but also in soil which is the main media of food production cycle. The present study has been conducted to observe arsenic contamination of agricultural land from irrigated water by assessing possible correlation between arsenic concentration in irrigation water and soil nutrients, assessing arsenic concentration in crops (rice and wheat) and preparing GIS based maps of irrigation water quality parameters. The study locations were different villages at Sadar upazila, Keshabpur upazila, Sharsha upazila and Jhikargacha upazila of Jessore district. Soil and water samples were collected form various locations of study sites. Water quality, soil, plant nutrient parameters were tested in BADC and BUET laboratories. Data analysis and map preparation were done using statistical and GIS software. It has been observed that a significant numbers of irrigation well water in study area are contaminated by arsenic and agricultural lands irrigated by arsenic contaminated water are also affected by arsenic. But no significant correlation was found between arsenic and other water quality parameters in ground water. Also relation between arsenic concentration in irrigation water and arsenic concentration in irrigated land is insignificant. Arsenic content in root, grain and straw of rice is higher than that of wheat. However the arsenic content in grain of both rice and wheat is below WHO recommended arsenic permissible level (1.0 mg/kg). The values obtained with grain, straw and root agreed well with the general trend of variation in arsenic content, i.e., grain

Keywords: Irrigated water, Arsenic, Agricultural land, Wheat, Rice

Location: Keshabpur upazila, Sadar upazila, Sharsha upazila and Jhikorgacha upazila of Jessore district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Contamination

Objectives:

1) To assess possible correlation between arsenic concentration in irrigation water and soil parameters at Keshabpur, Jhikorgacha and Sadar upazilas of Jessore district.

2) To assess arsenic concentration in both rice and wheat at Sharsha upazila.

3) To prepare GIS based maps of irrigation water quality and soil nutrient of selected areas.

Methodology:

In order to assess arsenic contamination of agricultural land from irrigated water, the primary and secondary data of soil and water quality were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). It showed that a significant numbers of irrigation well water in Jessore District contaminated with arsenic above acceptable limit for irrigation. Considering the contamination intensity, Keshabpur upazila, Sadar upazila, Sharsha upazila and Jhikorgacha upazila of Jessore district were selected for this research study. Irrigation water quality parameters and soil parameters were measured from collected samples of Keshabpur upazila, Sadar upazila and Jhikorgacha upazila. In Jessore district, the arsenic concentration of 0.2 ppm was recorded in STW irrigation water at Samta village of Sharsha upazila. Thus a research site for assessing arsenic concentration in rice and wheat was selected in that area. The experiment was carried out with five wheat verities, namely Kanchan, Protiva, Gourab, Sourav and Shatabdi during Rabi season; ten rice varieties, i.e. BR3, BR14, BRI6, BR26, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, Minikat, Ratna, Jamaibabu and Kajallata during Boro season and four rice verities, i.e. Shamalata, BR10, BR11 and BRRl dhan30 during T. Aman season. Sixty five number of water samples were collected in pre-washed 500 ml plastic bottles, after running the well for at least 15 minutes. Water sample in bottle was acidified with 1 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid which was later analyzed for dissolved arsenic and iron. In order to estimate arsenic and iron content in the top soil layer, soil core samples were collected from different location of the study area. Soil core samples were collected after the rainy season, i.e. before beginning of the next irrigation season and those were collected by a 37.5 mm diameter PVC pipe sampler inserting into the soil about 500 mm depth. After withdrawing the sampler along with the soil core, both the ends were sealed with tapes to reduce contact with air and transported to the laboratory. Paddy and wheat plant samples were collected just at harvest time. A total of 10 paddy plant samples and 5 wheat plant samples were collected from the experiment field. For Plant analysis, rice and wheat plant samples were divided into three parts: 1) Root, 2) Straw and 3) Grain. For this study, Cookbook for AAS was selected for digestion procedures. For chemical analysis, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur were determined by Kjeldahl method, colorometry, flame photometry and turbidimetry, respectively. Arsenic content of digest sample was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The correlation co-efficient between arsenic and iron with sulphate and phosphate of water was determined with the use of Origin Software by Liner Fit Analysis. GIS based software was used to prepare maps of the study areas. The GIS Arc View software uses data with geographically referenced position. So, using GPS, the positions of irrigation wells were recorded to prepare maps as accurately as possible.

Source of Information: Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Dec. 2010, Vol.38/AE(2), pp:29-38, ISSN:0379-4318.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

On the basis of results analysis and discussion, arsenic content in irrigation water is found randomly and there is no significant correlation between arsenic and other water parameters i.e. iron, sulphate and phosphate. Relationship between arsenic concentration in irrigation water and arsenic concentration in irrigated land is insignificant. The uptake contents of arsenic are different for various wheat and rice verities grown in arsenic affected agricultural lands. The values of arsenic concentration obtained in grain, straw and root are agreed well with the general trend of arsenic content variation, i.e., grain

Knowledge Management: Journal