ABSTRACT
To mitigate the arsenic contamination situation, many alternate options have been proposed and implemented in Bangladesh. However, the development of deep aquifer (generally below 200-300 m from ground surface) is considered the sustainable option mainly for drinking use. Prior to developing deep aquifers it is important to know the trend of flowpaths from recharge zone and travel time of stored water under field geologic conditions and development stresses. Increasing pore water velocity in shallow aquifer due to huge irrigation abstraction can increase arsenic mobility. Still more than 50% of cultivable land in south-east Bangladesh has the potential for irrigation. Increased irrigation abstraction in future may enhance arsenic contamination in deeper aquifers. In this study, a three-dimensional modular finite difference model has been used to simulate groundwater flow of multi-layered aquifer system in southeastern Bangladesh. This focuses flow paths and travel time of groundwater from arsenic contaminated zone to deeper aquifers under current, projected and alternate development stresses.
