An Evaluation of Arsenic-Iron Removal Plants for Improved Performance and Waste Management in Rural Bangladesh
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The presence of naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater has caused a number of social and health-related problems for the rural poor of Bangladesh. Today, it is estimated that 42 – 60 million people in Bangladesh consume water at arsenic concentrations greater than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 10 μg/L. The arsenic-iron removal plant (AIRP) has been widely used to remove arsenic from drinking water across much of the country; however, AIRPs show variable levels of efficiency and have often failed to meet the WHO standard. Those who continue to drink water with elevated concentrations of arsenic are prone to skin disease and various cancers. The thesis presented here examines methods to mitigate exposure of the rural poor to arsenic by modifying the AIRP and increasing our understanding of the chemical and social factors associated with its use. This objective is accomplished via four channels: (1) assessment of the chemical processes occurring within the AIRP, (2) evaluation of three retrofits, (3) development of a waste management strategy, and (4) examination of social factors affecting use and sustainability of the AIRP. Household AIRPs installed in the village of Mohadevpur, in the Manikganj district, are examined.
Author: Ingrid M. Sorensen
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2775487032