Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels Poised to Amplify Arsenic Contamination in Drinking Water

Recent research highlights a concerning link between climate change-induced sea level rise and increased arsenic contamination in drinking water wells. Bangladesh, home to over 165 million people relying on well water, faces a significant public health threat with nearly half of its groundwater sources already exceeding WHO’s arsenic safety limits.

The study underscores two primary mechanisms—reduction processes and the salt effect—as key factors in this troubling trend. As sea levels climb, decreased dissolved oxygen and heightened salinity in aquifers are likely to intensify arsenic mobilization from sediments into drinking water. This phenomenon isn’t isolated to Bangladesh; it raises a global alarm over the potential for similar impacts in other low-lying regions. Addressing this issue demands urgent and comprehensive strategies, incorporating both local and international resources, to safeguard public health against the escalating threat of arsenic in the era of climate change.