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Distribution of arsenic and other trace elements in the Holocene sediments of the Meghna River Delta, Bangladesh

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Geochemical study of the Holocene sediments of the Meghna River Delta, Chandpur, Bangladesh was conducted to investigate the distribution of arsenic and related trace and major elements. The work carried out includes analyses of core sediments and provenance study by rare earth element (REE) analysis. Results showed that the cores pass downward from silty clays and clays into fine to medium sands. The uppermost 3 m of the core sediments are oxidized [average oxidation reduction potential (ORP) + 230 mV], and the ORP values gradually become negative with depths (−45 to −170 mV), indicating anoxic conditions prevail in the Meghna sediments. The REE patterns of all lithotypes in the study areas are similar and are comparable to the average upper continental crust. Arsenic and other trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr) have greater concentrations in the silts and clays compared to those in the sands. Positive correlation between As and Fe was found in the sediments, indicating As may be adsorbed on Fe oxides in aquifer sediments.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Prof. Y. Sampei and Prof. Y. Sawada of Shimane University for access to the AAS and XRF facilities, respectively. Dr. Barry Roser of Shimane University is acknowledged for his constructive review and helpful comments on the manuscript. This study formed part of an M.S. program in Shimane University, and was financially supported by Monbukagakusho (The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). The INAA was carried out under the Visiting Researchers Program of the Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.

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  1. Department of Geoscience, Shimane University, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

    M. Hawa Bibi, Faruque Ahmed & Hiroaki Ishiga

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  1. M. Hawa Bibi
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  2. Faruque Ahmed
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  3. Hiroaki Ishiga
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Correspondence to M. Hawa Bibi.

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Bibi, M.H., Ahmed, F. & Ishiga, H. Distribution of arsenic and other trace elements in the Holocene sediments of the Meghna River Delta, Bangladesh. Environ Geol 50, 1243–1253 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0298-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0298-x

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