Experimental simulation of arsenic desorption from Quaternary aquifer sediments following sea water intrusion

Our results constrained the timing of sediment/solution interaction of As desorption and showed that after a rapid intrusion of seawater or after a relatively long period of interaction with saline solutions an aquifer with similar geology releases in groundwater concentrations of As exeeding the 10 μg/L limit for drinking water. Also, this study estimated the potential effects caused by the ingression of seawater in lowland alluvial coastal areas induced by groundwaters exploitation or by extreme weather events. Such information is crucial for management authorities to mitigate and predict the effects of As hazard in groundwater driven by changes in the environmental aquifer conditions (e.g. seasonal fluctuations of the water table and/or changes in salinity of coastal aquifers), which are becoming increasingly frequent as consequence of climate change.