Hydro Information System for Arsenic Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Abstract

Groundwater contamination by arsenic is an issue of paramount importance in the Asian region (Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.,), and in the Africa region (Ghana, Nigeria, Camer-oon etc.,). The evaluation of arsenic and its mitigation measures are based on quick accessibility to arsenic database and relevant spatial information. This study highlights the modelling of arsenic contamination for risk analysis and mitigation measures using a Hy- dro Information System (HIS). The HIS is based on Java language, Open source Geographical Information System (OGIS) compatible PostgreSQL database and visualization tools OpenMap for under-standing the spatial distribution and magnitude of arsenic problem in Bangladesh. HIS accomplish this task of risk assessment of arsenic contamination based on degree of threat to exposed population and magnitude of contamination. Decision Support System (DSS) that takes into consideration the behavioural aspects, socio-economic situations and geophysical characteristics of the study area is linked to HIS in order to recommend the most suitable mitigation measures.