2026-09-21T22:12:26Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/request

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/89782022-01-13T07:54:23Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023

Susan Murcott. Halsey, Patricia M. (Patricia Marie), 1974- Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering a-np--- 2005-09-27T19:38:19Z 2005-09-27T19:38:19Z 2000 2000 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8978 47094763 Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2000. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-76). A study of arsenic contamination of drinking water in Nepal was conducted. Samples were collected in Nepal in January 2000 from tube wells, hand dug wells, natural springs, municipal systems and surface water bodies. Samples were analyzed in Nepal using EM Quant@ test strips and Affiniti Concentration kits. Samples were also preserved and brought back to the U.S. for analysis using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Combined results from these tests indicate that no arsenic contamination was found above the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum contaminant level of 10ppb in the Kathmandu Valley. However, 18% of samples taken from the Terai region of Nepal were above the WHO limit. Detectable levels of arsenic were found in tube wells ranging from approximately 30 to 300 feet deep. Forty-eight percent of samples taken from wells aged 9 to 12 years had detectable levels of arsenic. This study concludes that, although not as extensive as in neighboring West Bengal, India and Bangladesh, arsenic contamination does exist in the Terai region of Nepal. A comparison of analytical methods indicates that field kits provide a general indication of high levels of arsenic, but should be used in conjunction with more accurate methods if detailed results are required. Further testing is recommended in the Terai region of Nepal. A detailed study of the geology of the Terai region and potential anthropogenic sources is recommended to further characterize the area. by Patricia M. Halsey. M.Eng. 123 leaves 12196666 bytes 12196427 bytes application/pdf application/pdf eng Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 Civil and Environmental Engineering. Arsenic contamination study of drinking water in Nepal Thesis application/pdf false Publication unknown unknown <Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="d85685ab-f38a-43bb-bef5-3df23b5b4b09"> <Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type> <Language>eng</Language> <Title>Arsenic contamination study of drinking water in Nepal</Title> <PublishedIn> <Publication> </Publication> </PublishedIn> <PublicationDate>2000</PublicationDate> <Authors> <Author> <DisplayName>Halsey, Patricia M. (Patricia Marie), 1974-</DisplayName> <Affiliation> <OrgUnit> </OrgUnit> </Affiliation> </Author> </Authors> <Editors> </Editors> <Publishers> <Publisher> <DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName> <OrgUnit /> </Publisher> </Publishers> <License>http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582</License> <Keyword>Civil and Environmental Engineering.</Keyword> <Abstract>A study of arsenic contamination of drinking water in Nepal was conducted. Samples were collected in Nepal in January 2000 from tube wells, hand dug wells, natural springs, municipal systems and surface water bodies. Samples were analyzed in Nepal using EM Quant@ test strips and Affiniti Concentration kits. Samples were also preserved and brought back to the U.S. for analysis using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Combined results from these tests indicate that no arsenic contamination was found above the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum contaminant level of 10ppb in the Kathmandu Valley. However, 18% of samples taken from the Terai region of Nepal were above the WHO limit. Detectable levels of arsenic were found in tube wells ranging from approximately 30 to 300 feet deep. Forty-eight percent of samples taken from wells aged 9 to 12 years had detectable levels of arsenic. This study concludes that, although not as extensive as in neighboring West Bengal, India and Bangladesh, arsenic contamination does exist in the Terai region of Nepal. A comparison of analytical methods indicates that field kits provide a general indication of high levels of arsenic, but should be used in conjunction with more accurate methods if detailed results are required. Further testing is recommended in the Terai region of Nepal. A detailed study of the geology of the Terai region and potential anthropogenic sources is recommended to further characterize the area.</Abstract> <Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right" > </Access> </Publication>