High arsenic levels in groundwater resources of Gediz Graben, Western Turkey

Abstract

Gediz Graben situated in western Turkey is an area containing extensional structures with active tectonics and geothermal systems that serves as a suitable environment for the presence of high levels of arsenic (As) in groundwater. The results of a comprehensive monitoring program in the basin revealed that the maximum As concentration detected during the monitoring program was 3086 ppb and the average value was calculated to be 23.63 ppb. In addition, As levels in 28% of the water samples were above the 10 ppb limit value making them unsuitable for drinking water supply. These high As concentrations in the basin was mostly associated with long detention times of water in altered rocks located along detachment faults, strong water–rock interaction processes in the alteration zones and anthropogenic influences made within the geothermal fluid reservoir. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, London.