Review of High Arsenic Groundwater in China

Abstract

High arsenic groundwater and associated health risks caused by drinking high-arsenic groundwater are a great headache in many parts of the world, including China. Occurrence and distribution of high arsenic groundwater in China were firstly stated. High arsenic groundwater mainly exists in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Xinjiang et al, 40 counties of 8 provinces. Furthermore, arsenic mobilization processes in China were discussed by means of analyzing two typical high arsenic groundwater areas: Hetao Plain, in Inner Mongolia and Datong Basin in Shanxi Province. Even if some relevant experiments research have been carried out, changing another safe water source may be more feasible in China if there is some one available.