GIS Mapping of Correlation between Arsenic and Iron Concentration of Ground Water of Bangladesh
High iron concentration in the groundwater of Bangladesh was observed long ago. Existence of high arsenic concentration was observed in early 1990s. Determining iron concentration is cheaper and some indigenous methods are applied locally for such a purpose. Determining concentration of arsenic is more expensive and a relatively new issue even though the measurement is very important from monitoring point. The correlation between these two will ensure the possibility of simple and cheaper option for monitoring arsenic concentration from that of the iron concentration. This made the correlation analysis between arsenic and iron concentration of ground water more rational. In this study, data of 4367 wells were categorized for analysis as per geographic location in 61 administrative districts of Bangladesh. Results were compared with the results of analysis performed without categorizing data as per geographic locations. It is evident from the study that correlation between arsenic and iron concentration of ground water is not constant nationwide, rather it is a zonal phenomenon. Geographic Information Sustem (GIS) maps were produced with the correlation analysis data which represents the correlation status of each individual district of Bangladesh. Outcome of this study reveals that a zone or belt of a region can be observed within a band of similar correlation coefficient. From the analysis and produced GIS (Geographic Information System) maps it was observed that 50.4% districts of Bangladesh showed correlation coefficient in excess of 0.4 and 37% districts show correlation coefficient in excess of 0.5.In the eastern part of Bangladesh a belt of very low correlation was observed. The produced GIS maps and the study results enable to predict tentatively or statistically the arsenic concentration of a well by only knowing the iron concentration of the same well. This will help in reducing the need and thus cost for frequent measurement of arsenic in many areas where high correlation of the two is observed and reported.
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