Sulphide mining as a source of arsenic in the environment

Based on the analysis of various types of environmental samples in the mining and smelter areas associated with the Khetri Cu and Zawar Pb-Zn deposits, it is concluded that zones of exploitation of all sulphide-bearing mineral deposits are potential areas of arsenic (As) contamination. Without identifying the source of As and various natural and anthropogenic concentrating mechanisms for As, such as natural scavenging of As by Fe–Mn hydroxides in sedi-ments and industrial concentration of Cu, Pb and Zn along with the associated As in smelter operations, the pollution and health problems, as known in West Bengal and Bang-ladesh, cannot be suitably tackled. THE presence of arsenic in groundwater poses a threat to human health due to its toxic properties1. The World Health Organisation (WHO)2 and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA)