Arsenic

Groundwater resources

Ecology

Biology

Pollution

Geotechnical engineering

Metallurgy

Materials science

Pollutant

Water resource management

Distribution (mathematics)

Spatial distribution

Geology

Groundwater

Mathematics

Mining engineering

Geography

Environmental chemistry

Contamination

Environmental science

Arsenic contamination of groundwater

Mathematical analysis

Remote sensing

Environmental protection

Chemistry

Aquifer

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

Arsenic is one of the most important groundwater pollutants. Considering its wide distribution, identifying the spatial distribution of arsenic is a critical need. A regional/global map, showing the areas with high probability of As contamination is highly recommended. This is especially important for the related authorities, governors and environmental agencies in preventing consumption of arsenic-contaminated waters. The objective of this study is to review the reports on arsenic concentration in groundwater resources of Iran and to introduce hotspots. Most of the measurements are reported for Kurdistan, East Azarbaijan, and Kerman provinces. The origin of most of the arsenic pollution is distinguished to be geogenic. The highest contaminated area was reported as the Kerman province with the mean concentration of 545 μg/l, which is far beyond the WHO and National Standard limits (NSI).

Spatial distribution of arsenic in groundwater of Iran, a review