235 Advancing the Understanding and Management of Groundwater Pollution with Arsenic and Other Geogenic Contaminants Using Geospatial Tools, Machine Learning, and Data Science, Part I

The growing trend of data aggregation and analysis, along with emerging technologies like machine learning, has significantly improved our understanding of groundwater basins, enabling better assessments of water quality for direct consumption and treatment in groundwater supply management.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 210AB

Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Bangladesh Urban Soils and Moldovan Rural Soils: A Comparative Study

Paper number: 235-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:05 AM – 8:20 AM

Authors

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of soil poses serious environmental and public health hazards, particularly in developing regions where regulatory oversight may be limited. This study examines the extent of RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) heavy metal contamination in top soils from two distinct international locations: Carbuna, Moldova, and Chittagong, Bangladesh. Both areas experience high contamination risks due to intensive agricultural and industrial activities, which also contribute to excess nutrient levels in local soils. In Carbuna village, soil samples were collected from various locations including agricultural fields, lake surroundings, and near dug wells to capture a representative profile. The sampled soils displayed dark, vivid hues, as determined using the Munsell soil color chart, suggesting a high content of organic materials. Most samples exhibited a loamy clay texture, a characteristic that facilitates nutrient absorption and retention. The observed soil colors ranged from brown-black to black, further indicating elevated organic matter, which may affect metal mobility. In Chittagong, Bangladesh, 36 soil samples were systematically gathered from 2–3 inches below the surface across different parts of the coastal city using a push core soil sampler. Physical and chemical attributes of the samples were assessed onsite with the Munsell chart and Lamotte soil test kits. Advanced elemental analysis was performed using a Fisher Scientific Niton xl3t Environmental Analyzer, which employs X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrophotometry to quantify concentrations of major hazardous metals, such as arsenic (As), silver (Ag), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se). Data from both locations were processed and analyzed with computational tools to evaluate contamination relative to international environmental standards. The investigation identified both the presence and absence of specific toxic elements, with some samples exhibiting elevated concentrations. These findings highlight the probable contribution of local pollution sources and underline possible threats to soil and water quality. The outcomes of this study stress the critical need for ongoing monitoring and adoption of sustainable land management practices, especially in vulnerable communities facing substantial environmental risks from heavy metal contamination.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414355

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