Assessment of arsenic, nitrate and phosphorus pollutions in shallow groundwater of the rural area in Kurdistan province (Iran)

Abstract

Quality of water resources in the rural area of Qorveh Plain (Kurdistan Iran) is facing a serious challenge due to arsenic (As) pollution and agricultural development. Therefore, 25 shallow groundwater samples (from 14 households and 11 farms) were collected from this area with aim of evaluating their quality as drinking purposes. The water samples were analyzed for pH, water electrical conductivity (Ecw ), As, Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, NO3 , P, Cl, HCO3 , SO4 , Si, total hardness (TH), and total dissolved solids (TDS) by using standard methods. Results showed that the toxicity of arsenic (on average, 51.8 ppb), nitrate (on average, 116.7 ppm) and phosphorus (on average, 0.32 ppm) are in an alarming state in this area. Furthermore, all of the wells under test in this study fail to meet at least one safe drinking water standards, particularly with regard to arsenic, nitrate, TDS and pH. Among the appeared pollutions arsenic has a geologic origin and nitrate and phosphorus can affect by human activities such as agriculture, household chemicals, run-off and failing septic systems in this area. Based on the results of this assessment, the quality of the groundwaters is not suitable for drinking purpose without appropriate remediation.