A brief note on substantial sub-daily arsenic variability in pumping drinking-water wells in New Hampshire

Science of the Total Environment
By: , and 

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Abstract

Large variations in redox-related water parameters, like pH and dissolved oxygen (DO), have been documented in New Hampshire (United States) drinking-water wells over the course of a few hours under pumping conditions. These findings suggest that comparable sub-daily variability in dissolved concentrations of redox-reactive and toxic arsenic (As) also may occur, representing a potentially critical public-health data gap and a fundamental challenge for long-term As-trends monitoring. To test this hypothesis, discrete groundwater As samples were collected approximately hourly during one day in May and again in August 2019 from three New Hampshire drinking-water wells (2 public-supply, 1 private) under active pumping conditions. Collected samples were assessed by laboratory analysis (total As [AsTot], As(III), As(V)) and by field analysis (AsTot) using a novel integrated biosensor system. Laboratory analysis revealed sub-daily variability (range) in AsTot concentrations equivalent to 16 % – 36 % of that observed in the antecedent 3-year bimonthly trend monitoring. Thus, the results indicated that, along with previously demonstrated seasonality effects, the timing and duration of pumping are important considerations when assessing trends in drinking-water As exposures and concomitant risks. Results also illustrated the utility of the field sensor for monitoring and management of AsTot exposures in near-real-time.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A brief note on substantial sub-daily arsenic variability in pumping drinking-water wells in New Hampshire
Series title Science of the Total Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170838
Volume 919
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description 170838
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