• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.673-683
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• 2008

As-rich alluvial groundwaters occurring in the agricultural area of Mankyeong River watershed were geochemically studied. 15 out of 29 investigated wells (52%) showed As levels exceeding the WHO drinking water standard ($10{\mu}g/L$). Their chemistry is characterized by low Eh levels, low $NO_3$ and $SO_4$ concentrations, and high pH, alkalinity, Fe, $NH_4$, and $PO_4$ levels. This suggests that arsenic is enriched by the reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe-/Mn-(hydro)oxides, the commonest process in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India, of which groundwaters are severely contaminated by As. It was also revealed that As concentrations in the area are strongly regulated by the presence of agrochemicals such as $NO_3$ and $SO_4$.