University of Alaska, Institute of Water Resources
Abstract
Concentrations of arsenic as large as 10 ppm (200 times the safe
limit for drinking water) occur in the groundwater of a mineralized
residential area near Fairbanks. Bedrock of the area contains 750 ppm
As, primarily as arsenopyrite and scorodite. The oxygen-poor groundwater
is enriched in As(III) and ferrous iron while the surface waters
are iron free and contain less than 50 ppb As(V). Arsenic is removed
from the water by coprecipitation with ferric hydroxide. Some iron-rich
stream sediments contain as much as 1,400 ppm arsenic.
The distribution of arsenic in the groundwater is controlled by the
distribution of arsenic in the bedrock. The arsenic content of the B soil
horizon over mineralized veins is about 150 ppm, while that over barren
rock is 30 ppm. The vegetation over the veins is not significantly
enriched in arsenic.
Lettuce, radishes and tomatoes grown with arsenic-rich water (5 ppm) contain 16, 8 and 1 ppm As, respectively; these amounts are significantly
greater than plants not treated with arsenic.
Preliminary studies by state and federal health agencies show no
detrimental effects on the health of persons drinking these arsenic-rich
waters.The work upon which this publication is based was supported in part by
funds provided by the Office of Water Research and Technology (Project
B-037-ALAS, Agreement No. 14-34-0001-8056), U.S. Department of the
Interior, Washington, D.C., as authorized by the Water Research and
Development Act of 1978