Exploration of Arsenic Pollution in South and Southeast Asia

1. ICDP Science Advisory Group: 2010 Proposal Reviews Stephen Hickman, SAG Chair ICDP Executive Committee Meeting Helsinki, Finland, May10 -11, 2010

2. 10-2010 New workshop proposal Recovering uncompromised samples of aquifer sands with in-situ groundwater from up to 300-m depth in South and Southeast Asia A. van Geen, R. Beckie, M. Berg, S. Fendorf, S. Goodbred, H. Masuda, H. Michael, T. Neumann, D. Nielson, K. M. Ahmed, J. Lloyd, L. Charlet, D. Postma, B. Upreti, Pham Hung Viet ICDP Funds Requested (US$): 46,750

3. Objectives: • Arsenic pollution of groundwater is widespread in S and SE Asia and of enormous societal relevance, yet the mineralogical, chemical, hydrologic and microbial processes controlling arsenic release are poorly understood. • Goal of project is to develop tools and techniques for in-situ sampling of arsenic-bearing sands and associated groundwater under sterile anaerobic conditions, and then use these tools in GW studies in contaminated areas. • Two workshops are proposed: 1) Technical feasibility workshop in Utah (5 people) to discuss equipment and procedures for recovery of frozen aquifer sands. 2) Scientific workshop on As-polluted groundwater in Hanoi (20+ people).

4. Strengths: • Proposal addresses key questions of natural and anthropogenically induced arsenic contamination in southeast Asian ground waters. The issues discussed in the proposal are scientifically compelling and very well presented. • Participation of scientists from third-world countries will improve capacity building in areas directly affected by groundwater contamination. • Recovery of uncompromised groundwater and aquifer sands can only be accomplished by drilling, which is proposed here to be done by in-situ freezing and recovery of frozen aquifer/groundwater core samples. • Problem of arsenic contamination affects >100 million people, and is of enormous societal relevance for health and food security in southeast Asia. • Even though no CVs are included, the proponents are known to be highly qualified and active in this field of research. • Budget for the two workshops seems reasonable: • 4,750 US$ for a workshop of 5 participants in Utah focusing on drilling technology (hosted by DOSECC) • 42,000 US$ for a science workshop to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, for 20+ participants.

5. Concerns and Suggested Improvements: • Unfortunately, the CV’s of the PI’s are missing. • No list of participants or advertisement plan for the second (Hanoi) workshop was included. Given the international importance of this topic SAG wants to ensure that this workshop be kept as open to the international community as possible. • SAG further suggests that the proponents try to seek co-financing with organizations such as UNESCO, World Health Organization, etc., who might be interested in the proposed workshop in Hanoi. Such broadened participation in the workshop might also expand funding opportunities for development of this new program.

6. Summary Recommendation: This is a very well-written workshop proposal, which is absolutely relevant to ICDP. The two-step approach of acquiring technical information on feasibility of the freeze-drilling-technique before holding a science workshop seems reasonable Thus, SAG recommends initial funding of the technical feasibility workshop in Utah and suggests that the PIs invite drilling specialists from other companies, including the OSG, to facilitate internationalization of this effort. Provided a satisfactory outcome is achieved at the technical feasibility workshop, SAG then recommends funding of the science workshop in Hanoi. In accord with ICDP regulations, the Hanoi workshop must be broadly advertised in the scientific news media to ensure that it is open to the international scientific community. However, SAG would like to see a preliminary list of invitees and an advertisement plan for the Hanoi workshop before funds for the this second workshop are released by ICDP. Score: 3.9