Trace element analysis of water environment in Kaschin-Beck disease area, Zamtang County, northwest Sichuan plateau

Abstract：In the study of the factors responsible for Kaschin-Beck disease in northwest Sichuan plateau and the hydorgeochemical conditions of this area, the authors conducted neutron activation tests on the samples collected from different types of water sources in the Kaschin-Beck disease area. The results show that the enrichment of trace elements is obvious in this area, and that high element content is coincident with higher illness whereas low element content is consistent with lower illness. Relative to things of other Kaschin-Beck disease areas, selenium in this area is especially abundant; nevertheless, low selenium content is in accord with higher illness, which conforms to the KBD general laws. A comparative study of different types of sources reveals that the content of total trace elements decreases in order of brook water＞well water＞deep well water＞marsh water＞spring water.