Adrien Mestrot IJA-CSIC-UB

ArsenicUbiquitous naturallyoccurringcontaminant– Earth’s crust andsedimentary rocks• Volcanic activity, soilerosion, leaching– Fossil fuel (mainlycoal), ores (mainlycopper ores)• Burning, roastingAlso (was) veryanthropogenic:– Herbicides, pesticides,wood preservativesMain problem isgroundwaterpollution, especiallyin India, Bangladeshand SE Asia, but alsoin South AmericaWater is used forcooking, drinking andalso irrigating ricepaddies– Biggest contaminationin the world!