Determining the Origin and Distribution of Arsenic in Groundwater in the Rayen Plain (Southeast of Kerman) using Statistical Techniques

The Rayen plain, which is about 1900km2 in area is considered as a part of the Lut drainage basin and is located in the southwest of Lut and eastern slopes of the Hezar Mountain. This plain lies at the 110km southeast of Kerman city. Geographically, it is at 57˚, 13’ to 57˚, 54’ eastern longitude and 29˚, 23’ to 29˚, 52’ northern latitude. The average height of this plain is about 2600m above msl. Given the location of the plain at the vicinity of the Urmiah- Dokhtar volcanic Belt and considering the role of eruptions as well as volcanic rocks and hydrothermal activities on the concentration of arsenic and the role of this element in environmental problems, this study was performed on the concentration of arsenic in groundwater. In order to determine the variations and source of arsenic, in all,29 samples were collected from the water points (springs, qanats and wells).Subsequently, the concentration of As, major cations and anions(Na+, K+, Ca +, Mg2+,Cl-,SO4 -,HCO3 -), NO3 -,F-, as well as EC,TDS, alkalinity and total hardness were determined. Accordingly, isoconcentration map and correlation diagram were prepared and statistical analysis including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA)were carried out. The arsenic concentration in groundwater of this plain varies from 0.1 ppb up to 248.4 ppb with an average of 21.6 ppb. Based on the statistical analysis, arsenic concentration shows positive correlation with pH. The intrusion of hydrothermal waters into the aquifer and desorption from oxides and hydroxides of iron are considered as the main causes of high-arsenic level in some parts of this plain.