A solution to the world's worst case of ongoing mass poisoning by creating a new low-cost technology to provide arsenic-free water to millions of people in South Asia has been identified by researchers at the Queen's University Belfast. Currently, over 70 million people in Eastern India and Bangladesh, experience involuntary arsenic exposure from consuming water and rice; the main staple food in the region.
his includes farmers who have to use contaminated groundwater from minor irrigation schemes.
It is estimated that for every random sample of 100 people in the Bengal Delta, at least one person will be near death as a result of arsenic poisoning, while five in 100 will be experiencing other symptoms.
Now, leading an international team, Queen's researchers have developed a trial plant in Kasimpore, near Calcutta, which offers chemical-free groundwater treatment technology to rural communities for all their drinking and farming needs.
The technology is based on recharging a part of the groundwater, after aeration, into a subterranean aquifer (permeable rock) able to hold water. Increased levels of oxygen in the groundwater slow down the arsenic release from the soil.
At higher dissolved oxygen levels, soil micro organisms, as well as iron and manganese, reduce the dissolved arsenic level significantly.
Developing a low cost method of decontaminating ground water that is laced with high levels of arsenic is a key challenge for sustainable agriculture there.
"This project developed by Queen's is the only method which is eco-friendly, easy to use and deliverable to the rural community user at an affordable cost," he added.
"From its inception we have had the vital support of Indian-based stakeholders, such as village councils and local financial institutions. This has been vital as they are the authorities who monitor the water supply and distribution in rural areas and provide micro-credit to the local farmers," explained Dr Sen Gupta.
"With their help, we now have a solution which is transferable to many areas in need across Asia," he added.
The new plant will be maintained and operated by local village technicians.
Utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa maji ya arseniki katika eneo la Asia Kusini umegundua suluhisho la tatizo kubwa la sumu ya sumu ya arseniki kwa kutumia teknolojia mpya ya gharama nafuu. Kwa sasa, zaidi ya watu milioni 70 katika India ya Mashariki na Bangladesh, wanakabiliwa na mfiduo wa arseniki bila kujitolea kutoka kwa kunywa maji na mchele, chakula kikuu katika mkoa huo. Mimea hiyo inapatikana kwa wakulima ambao wanatumia maji ya chini ya ardhi kutoka kwa mifumo midogo ya umwagiliaji. Inakadiriwa kwamba kwa kila sampuli ya watu 100 katika Delta ya Bengal, angalau mtu mmoja atakuwa karibu na kifo kama matokeo ya sumu ya arseniki, wakati watano kati ya 100 watakuwa na dalili nyingine. Sasa, wakiongoza timu ya kimataifa, watafiti wa Queen wamebuni kiwanda cha majaribio huko Kasimpur, karibu na Calcutta, ambacho hutoa teknolojia ya kusafisha maji ya chini ya ardhi bila kemikali kwa jamii za vijijini kwa mahitaji yao yote ya kunywa na kilimo. Teknolojia hiyo inategemea kuchaji sehemu ya maji ya chini ya ardhi, baada ya kupeperushwa, katika tabaka la chini ya ardhi (mwamba unaoweza kupenya) linaloweza kushikilia maji. Kiwango cha juu cha oksijeni katika maji ya chini ya ardhi hupunguza mwendo wa kutolewa kwa arseniki kutoka ardhini. Katika viwango vya juu vya oksijeni iliyoyeyuka, viumbe vidogo vya udongo, pamoja na chuma na manganese, hupunguza kiwango cha arseniki iliyoyeyuka kwa kiasi kikubwa. Uendelezaji wa njia ya gharama nafuu ya kuondoa uchafuzi wa maji ya chini ya ardhi ambayo ni laced na viwango vya juu vya arsenic ni changamoto muhimu kwa ajili ya kilimo endelevu huko. "Mradi huu uliotengenezwa na Malkia ni njia pekee ambayo ni ya kirafiki, rahisi kutumia na inapatikana kwa mtumiaji wa jamii ya vijijini kwa gharama nafuu", aliongeza. "Kuanzia mwanzo wetu tumekuwa na msaada muhimu wa wadau wa India, kama vile halmashauri za vijiji na taasisi za kifedha za mitaa. "Hii imekuwa muhimu kwa kuwa wao ni mamlaka ambao wanasimamia usambazaji na usambazaji wa maji katika maeneo ya vijijini na kutoa mikopo ndogo kwa wakulima wa eneo hilo, ""alieleza Dk Sen Gupta." "Kwa msaada wao, sasa tuna suluhisho ambalo linaweza kuhamishwa kwa maeneo mengi yanayohitaji msaada kote Asia", akaongeza. Kiwanda hicho kipya kitadumishwa na kuendeshwa na mafundi wa kijiji hicho.