Publications by authors named "Nisbah Mushtaq"
Article Synopsis
- The Ravi River floodplain in Pakistan has high levels of arsenic (As) in its groundwater, with drilling at 14 sites revealing significant findings about the aquifer's composition and history.
- Over 85% of sand samples collected were gray, indicating chemical changes linked to iron oxides, and 47% of tested wells in this area contained arsenic levels exceeding safe thresholds.
- The study suggests that the uneven distribution of arsenic in groundwater is influenced by the composition of aquifer sands, meaning targeted testing could help mitigate arsenic exposure in the region.
Article Synopsis
- Biogeochemical processes involving dissolved organic matter (DOM) contribute significantly to the mobilization of arsenic (As) in groundwater, particularly through mechanisms like reductive dissolution and complexation.
- A study conducted in the arsenic-affected Indus plain of Pakistan analyzed groundwater and soil samples, revealing varying arsenic concentrations that were influenced by the presence of DOM and iron (Fe).
- Findings indicated a geographical variation in the role of DOM in arsenic mobilization, with positive correlations observed between arsenic and DOM in the northern region, while competitive desorption processes were more pronounced in the southern region, suggesting complex interactions in different areas.
Article Synopsis
- This study identified geochemical factors causing fluoride contamination in groundwater across four sites in Pakistan's Lahore and Kasur districts.
- Groundwater samples showed fluoride levels exceeding the WHO guideline in over 70% of cases, with pH and mineral weathering influencing fluoride concentrations.
- The overall groundwater quality is poor for drinking due to high total dissolved solids (TDS) and fluoride levels, suggesting significant environmental and health risks.
Most of the rural population of 90 million in Punjab province in Pakistan and Punjab state in India drinks, and cooks with, untreated water drawn from shallow wells. Limited laboratory testing has shown that groundwater in the region can contain toxic levels of arsenic. To refine this assessment, a total of 30,567 wells from 383 villages were tested with a field kit in northern Punjab province of Pakistan and western Punjab state of India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStable isotopes ratios (‰) of Hydrogen (δH) and Oxygen (δ⁸O) were used to trace the groundwater recharge mechanism and geochemistry of arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater from four selected sites (Larkana, Naudero, Ghari Khuda Buksh and Dokri) of Larkana district. The stable isotope values of δH and δ⁸O range from 70.78‰ to -56.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeochemical investigation was carried out for delineating factors responsible for the mobilization of arsenic (As) from aquifer material into the groundwater. Four sites along Ravi River, (Samada, Sarai Chimba, Kot Maiga and Chah Fatehwala), were selected based on the blanket survey. Groundwater-rock interaction and evaporation were the key phenomena controlling groundwater chemistry, as shown by the hydrogeochemical data.
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