ABSTRACT
The widespread health impacts on millions of people from consumption of arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater of the Ganges delta necessitate an effort to locate As-safe aquifer zones and to develop a sustainable aquifer management policy.We look into the aquifer geometries, sediment characteristics and ground-water As concentrations to develop an understanding of the factors that inhibit As invasion/mobilization within the As-safe aquifers. However, the sustainability of the present-day safe aquifer is at risk due to the heavy ground-water pumping for irrigation and thus, promoting water conserving agricultural practices is extremely vital. We suggest that, formulating a sustainable As mitigation plan should also involve the non-scientific communities such as the local tubewell drillers and farmers for widespread implementation of the plan.
