Determination of Arsenic and Chemical Pollution of Ground Water at Brajieng Jalern Souk District of Champasak Province

Abstract

This research determined the concentration of Arsenic and chemical pollution of ground water at BraliengJalern Souk District, Champasak Province. In thisarea there is no local piped "town water supply in use, and almost all the people rely on ground water. Unfortunately, farmers use insecticides and herbicides containing compounds of Arsenic (As) leading to the contamination of Arsenic(As)compounds in the groundwater of this arca Groundwater samples from 6 stations (HouyHair, UdomSouk. Moung Khai, HouSiew, Houy Pheun, and NongKhok villages of BrajiengJalermSouk District, Champasak Province 2017) were collected and analyzed for pH, Electrical conductivity,temperature, Sulfate (SO2), Sulfide (S), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn²¹), free Nitrogen Ammonia (N-NH3). and Arsenic (As). The experimental results showed that the pH values of water samples from each station were 4.74-6.42 lower than the standard range of 6.5-9.5). Electrical conductivity values of the samples from 4 stations were found in the range of 24.6-287 µS/cm, except that from Houy Pheun village which was 1077 µS/cm beyond the standard (value of<1.000 µS/cm). (SO₄).Concentration of water samples from each station were 2 -40 mg/L, lower than the standard value of <200 250 mg/L). Surprisingly, the concentration of (S)of water samples were 17-24 mg/L, much higher than the standard value of 0.1 mg/L.. The Fe concentration of the sample water was 0.180.29mg/L,but that of the water sample from HouyPheun village was 2.38 mg/L, slightly over the standard value of 0.31 mg/L.. Considering the presence of Mn ions, only water from MoungKhai village was found at a concentration of 0.24 mg/l which was under Mn2+ (the standard value 0.5 mg/L). The As concentration in all collected water samples were 0.001-0.002 mg/L. The free Nitrogen Ammonia (N-NH3) content of 6 samples was0.15-0.53 mg/l, lower than the standard value of 0.5-1.5 mg/L. It could be concluded that overall the quality of ground water of all 6 stations was quite poor when compared to the standard value for the quality of ground water used for household consumption. Villagers need to get advice on how to boil and filter water before using it in the home. These areas need to access and use the piped water supply nearly.