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International Workshop on Water Purification Technologies, Arsenic Removal

from Groundwater and Integrated Water Management

Conference Paper · May 2022

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A. G. Piyal Aravinna
Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau
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International Workshop on Water Purification Technologies, Arsenic Removal from Groundwater and
Integrated Water Management

Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India 28-30 May 2022

Arsenic in Water, Soil and Food in Sri Lanka

Arsenic (As) is one of the most toxic elements that affects the health of fauna and flora on the
planet. It is naturally available in rock-forming materials, and gradually released into the soil and
water resources during the soil formation process. The levels of arsenic in soil and groundwater
in Sri Lanka are very low compared to other Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, and
China. In Sri Lanka, contamination of arsenic is mainly due to natural occurrences. After releasing
the report on “Investigation and Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology in Sri
Lanka” in the year 2012 by WHO, Sri Lankan scientists draw deep attention to the behaviors of
cadmium, arsenic and pesticides in; soil, water, and the human body. Even though arsenic is
naturally available in trace levels in the Sri Lankan environment, anthropogenic activities are
responsible for the slight enrichment of their levels in soil and water.

Arsenic-rich minerals have not been identified in Sri Lanka. However, except very few occasions,
levels of arsenic in Sri Lankan rocks are relatively low and it is within the range of 0-10 mg/kg.
This value is useful to understand the level of the natural occurrence of arsenic in soils, and the
levels of arsenic to be expected in both biotic and abiotic environments. With the establishment
of irrigated agricultural schemes, usage of agrochemicals has rapidly increased in the last few
decades. The impacts of agricultural practices on arsenic pollution have been deeply discussed
than the industrial practices in Sri Lanka in the last decade. The level of arsenic in agricultural
soils is slightly higher than that of nonagricultural soils in the agro-ecological zones of Sri Lanka.
The application of monosodium methyl arsenate herbicides (MSMA) in plantations can be
considered as one of the major anthropogenic introductions of arsenic to the agricultural soils in
Sri Lanka. However, restrictions were imposed on the import of arsenic-containing pesticides by
the government of Sri Lanka in 2001. In addition, the Register of Pesticide, Sri Lanka monitors the
level of arsenic in pesticide products to minimize arsenic pollution in agricultural lands
continuously. Phosphate fertilizer can be considered a major anthropogenic source of arsenic in
the country to date. However, the government has a guideline to regulate fertilizers with higher
contaminant levels of heavy metals including arsenic.

Except for a few locations, the level of arsenic in; the surface water bodies, shallow aquifers, and
groundwater resources in the country is below the maximum permissible levels stipulated by
both Sri Lankan standards and World Health Organization (10 μg/L).

Rice is the staple food still in the country and more than 85% of the national demand for rice is
covered by itself agriculture till the year 2021. Based on some scientific data published in the last
decade, some researchers speculated that Arsenic exposure from food and water is a root cause
of kidney disease which is being spared in some regions of the country.

Page 6 of 29
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International Workshop on Water Purification Technologies, Arsenic Removal from Groundwater and
Integrated Water Management

Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India 28-30 May 2022

However, the data published in year 2019 shows that the levels of arsenic in rice are below the
Maximum permissible level for the husked rice (0.35 mg/kg), proposed by the CODEX
Alimentarius committee. Studies on the arsenic levels in animal tissues and animal products are
very limited in the country. Even though higher levels of arsenic have been reported in freshwater
fish species (Tilapia spp.) over the last decade in the North Central Province of the country, the
latest records show the levels of arsenic in freshwater fish species are very low. Arsenic
contamination data for other foods and beverages are very limited. Therefore, more research
and continuous monitoring are essential to explain the real exposure level to arsenic. The focus
of most of the studies is limited to the level of total arsenic in the environment. However, further
studies are essential to evaluate the levels of organic and inorganic varieties of arsenic in both
environment and the human body to understand the relationship between their levels and non-
infectious diseases in the country.

Even though studies on technological innovations in the removal of arsenic from water are
limited in the country, few records are available on arsenic removal in water using naturally
available plant material and clay minerals. Since the level of arsenic in water resources is
relatively low in the county compared to other countries, the stimulation for the development of
arsenic removal technologies is relatively poor among the Sri Lankan scientists.

Page 7 of 29