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Jadoon WA, Zaheer M, Tariq A, Sajjad RU, Varol M. Assessment of hydrochemical characteristics, health risks and quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes in a mountainous region of Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:43967-43986. [PMID: 38918296 PMCID: PMC11252193 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34046-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Renowned for its agriculture, livestock, and mining, Zhob district, Pakistan, faces the urgent problem of declining groundwater quality due to natural and human-induced factors. This deterioration poses significant challenges for residents who rely on groundwater for drinking, domestic, and irrigation purposes. Therefore, this novel study aimed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of groundwater quality in Zhob district, considering various aspects such as hydrochemical characteristics, human health risks, and suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. While previous studies may have focused on one or a few of these aspects, this study integrates multiple analyses to provide a holistic understanding of the groundwater quality situation in the region. Additionally, the study applies a range of common hydrochemical analysis methods (acid-base titration, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and ion chromatography), drinking water quality index (WQI), irrigation indices, and health risk assessment models, using 19 water quality parameters. This multi-method approach enhances the robustness and accuracy of the assessment, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders. The results revealed that means of the majority of water quality parameters, such as pH (7.64), electrical conductivity (830.13 μScm-1), total dissolved solids (562.83 mgL-1), as well as various anions, and cations, were in line with drinking water norms. However, the water quality index (WQI) predominantly indicated poor drinking water quality (range = 51-75) at 50% sites, followed by good quality (range = 26-50) at 37% of the sites, with 10% of the sites exhibiting very poor quality (range = 76-100). For irrigation purposes, indices such as sodium percent (mean = 31.37%), sodium adsorption ratio (mean = 0.98 meqL-1), residual sodium carbonate (- 3.15 meqL-1), Kelley's index (mean = 0.49), and permeability (mean = 49.11%) indicated suitability without immediate treatment. However, the magnesium hazard (mean = 46.11%) and potential salinity (mean = 3.93) demonstrated that prolonged application of groundwater for irrigation needs soil management to avoid soil compaction and salinity. Water samples exhibit characteristics of medium salinity and low alkalinity (C2S1) as well as high salinity and low alkalinity (C3S1) categories. The Gibbs diagram results revealed that rock weathering, including silicate weathering and cation exchange, is the primary factor governing the hydrochemistry of groundwater. The hydrochemical composition is dominated by mixed Ca-Mg-Cl, followed by Na-Cl and Mg-Cl types. Furthermore, the human health risk assessment highlighted that fluoride (F-) posed a higher risk compared with nitrate (NO3-). Additionally, ingestion was found to pose a higher risk to health compared to dermal contact, with children being particularly vulnerable. The average hazard index (HI) for children was 1.24, surpassing the allowable limit of 1, indicating detrimental health effects on this subpopulation. Conversely, average HI values for adult females (0.59) and adult males (0.44) were within safe levels, suggesting minimal concerns for these demographic groups. Overall, the study's interdisciplinary approach and depth of analysis make a significant contribution to understanding groundwater quality dynamics and associated risks in Zhob district, potentially informing future management and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Azeem Jadoon
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zaheer
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics On Disaster and Environment in Western China, the Ministry of Education of China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Department of Mechanics, College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Abdul Tariq
- Engineering and Management Sciences, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Quetta, 87300, Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Raja Umer Sajjad
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Memet Varol
- Agriculture Faculty, Aquaculture Department, Malatya Turgut Özal University, Malatya, Türkiye.
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Salehi F, Esmaeilbeigi M, Kazemi A, Sharafi S, Sahebi Z, Asl AG. Spatial health risk assessments of nickel in the groundwater sources of a mining-impacted area. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11017. [PMID: 38745041 PMCID: PMC11094187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61914-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Mining activities have increased the potential risks of metal pollution to the groundwater resources in arid areas across the globe. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the health risk associated with nickel (Ni) in the groundwater sources of a mining-impacted area, South Khorasan, Eastern Iran. A total of 110 stations were included in the study, comprising 62 wells, 40 qanats, and 8 springs in summer, 2020. Initially, the collected samples were tested for temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). Subsequently, the samples were filtered and treated with nitric acid (HNO3) to measure the concentration of Ni using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hazard quotient (HQ) and non-carcinogenic risk assessments were employed to evaluate the potential risks of Ni to the inhabitants. The findings revealed that the concentration of Ni ranged from 0.02 to 132.39 μg l-1, and only two stations exhibited Ni concentrations above the WHO standards (20 μg l-1). The results demonstrated that 98.21% of the sampled locations had HQ values below one, indicating negligible risk, while 1.78% of the stations exhibited HQ values of one or higher, representing a high non-carcinogenic risk for water consumers. Overall, the concentration of nickel in the groundwater of South Khorasan exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) limit solely in the Halvan station, posing a non-carcinogenic risk for the residents in that area, and therefore, additional efforts should be made to provide healthier groundwater to consumers in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Salehi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | - Milad Esmaeilbeigi
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ali Kazemi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
| | - Saeed Sharafi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | | | - Ali Ghanavati Asl
- Researcher in Environmental Science and Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran
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Creța C, Horga C, Vlad M, Pănescu VA, Bocoș-Bințințan V, Coman MV, Herghelegiu MC, Berg V, Lyche JL, Beldean-Galea MS. Water Quality and Associated Human Health Risk Assessment Related to Some Ions and Trace Elements in a Series of Rural Roma Communities in Transylvania, Romania. Foods 2024; 13:496. [PMID: 38338631 PMCID: PMC10855629 DOI: 10.3390/foods13030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This research aims to assess the content of some ions and trace elements in water sources in 24 rural Roma communities in Transylvania in order to assess the human health risk associated with exposure to such elements and ions. To this end, eight ions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO2-, NO3-, SO42-, PO43-, NH4+) and ten trace elements (Cr, Ni, As, Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Hg) were determined in 71 water samples by ion chromatography coupled with a conductivity detector for ions and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for all trace elements. General parameters were also determined. Non-conformity (as number of samples), according to the EU Drinking Water Directive, was observed as follows: pH (7), EC (7), hardness (1), oxidizability (15), Cl- (4), NO3- (30), SO42- (6), Fe (16), Mn (14), As (3), and Ni (1 sample). The incidence of ions was Cl- (71), SO42- (70), F- (67), NO3- (65), NH4+ (21), Br- (10), PO43-, and NO2- (1 sample) and for trace elements, Mn (59), Fe (50), As (38), Ni (32), Cu (29), Zn (28), Cd (12), Cr (11), and Pb (3 samples). Hg was not detected. Non-carcinogenic (HI) values exceeded one for As in 13 Roma communities, with higher values for children than for adults. For NO3-, the HI values were >1 in 12 for adults and 14 communities for children. The carcinogenic risk (CR) for As through ingestion ranged from 0.795 to 3.50 × 10-4 for adults and from 1.215 to 5.30 × 10-4 for children. CR by dermal contact was in the range of ×10-6 both for adults and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Călina Creța
- Cluj Public Health Regional Centre, National Institute of Public Health, 6 Pasteur Str., RO-400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Horga
- Cluj Public Health Regional Centre, National Institute of Public Health, 6 Pasteur Str., RO-400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mariana Vlad
- Cluj Public Health Regional Centre, National Institute of Public Health, 6 Pasteur Str., RO-400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad-Alexandru Pănescu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- “Raluca Ripan” Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Victor Bocoș-Bințințan
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Virginia Coman
- “Raluca Ripan” Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Cătălina Herghelegiu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- “Raluca Ripan” Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vidar Berg
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås-Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Ludvig Lyche
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås-Oslo, Norway
| | - Mihail Simion Beldean-Galea
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Krishna B, Achari VS. Groundwater for drinking and industrial purposes: A study of water stability and human health risk assessment from black sand mineral rich coastal region of Kerala, India. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119783. [PMID: 38113784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Tempero-spatial analysis of groundwater to disseminate the level of drinking water quality and industrial suitability to meet the developmental requirement of a region is a significant area of research. Accordingly, groundwater quality and geochemical interactions prevailed in a black sand mineral rich coastal village is systematically presented in appraisal of drinking and industrial uses for economic engineering purposes. The study area focused is Alappad village, Kollam, Kerala, India has numerous ecological features in a sustainable perspective. The region is unique with placer deposits where an alluvial soil aquifer-saline water-freshwater interaction occurs. This dynamics decides the pertinent hydro geochemistry, potable and designated uses of ground water in season wise. Coastal area is hereby presented based on water quality parameters predicted with the health risk assessment model with a view on human health and cancer risk due to ions (Pb, Ni, Cu, Ba, Fe, Al, Mn, Zn) in groundwater.. To ascertain industrial usage, ground water is evaluated by Langelier saturation index (LSI), Ryznar stability index (RSI), Aggressive index (AI), Larson-Skold index (LS) and Puckorius scaling index (PSI) and inferences are complemented. Chemical weathering and evaporation processes are the natural factors controlling hydrochemistry of this aquifer. This complex coastal system has Nemerow pollution index (NPI) of moderate pollution for total dissolved ions of Fe and lesser for Cu, and Cr present in groundwater. LSI indicates, water is scale forming but non corrosive (46% in PRM, 20% in MON and 47% in POM). Water quality index (WQI) in POM (ranged 28.7-79.9) was excellent for drinking, followed by PRM (23.6-218.2) and MON (33.4-202.7) seasons. This groundwater bears temporary hardness with the dominance of Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type. Health risk assessment of non-carcinogenic risk index of trace metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb) revealed, children are at 'low risk' and 'medium' risk with Ni and Cu. The carcinogenic risk index indicated 93% of samples were high Ni induced cancer risk for children, and 87% for adults due to long term ingestion (drinking water intake) pathway. Studies specific on placer mineral deposited coastal region of India are not sufficiently reported with a focus on the above perspectives. Growing need of rare earths for material, device and energy applications, placer mineral explorations can destabilise the coastal hydrosphere. Interrelations of mineral soil - water chemistry prevailed and health hazard predicted would kindle a set of sustainable deliberations. This study summarises the drinking and industrial use of coastal groundwater for future development and human well-being on the basis of quality criteria, corrosion proneness, water stability and health risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurali Krishna
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682 022, Kerala, India
| | - V Sivanandan Achari
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682 022, Kerala, India.
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Xu J, Liu G, Liu R, Si W, He M, Wang G, Zhang M, Lu M, Arif M. Hydrochemistry, quality, and integrated health risk assessments of groundwater in the Huaibei Plain, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:123466-123479. [PMID: 37987974 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30966-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is an essential freshwater resource utilized in industry, agriculture, and daily life. In the Huaibei Plain (HBP), where groundwater significantly influences socio-economic development, information about its quality, hydrochemistry, and related health risks remains limited. We conducted a comprehensive groundwater sampling in the HBP and examined its rock characteristics, water quality index (WQI), and potential health risks. The results revealed that the primary factors shaping groundwater hydrochemistry were rock dissolution and weathering, cation exchange, and anthropogenic activities. WQI assessment indicated that only 73% of the groundwaters is potable, as Fe2+, Mn2+, NO3-, and F- contents in the water could pose non-carcinogenic hazards to humans. Children were more susceptible to these health risks through oral ingestion than adults. Uncertainty analysis indicated that the probabilities of non-carcinogenic risk were approximately 57% and 31% for children and adults, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further identified fluoride as the primary factor influencing non-carcinogenic risks, indicating that reducing fluoride contamination should be prioritized in future groundwater management in the HBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhao Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Guijian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China.
| | - Ruijia Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Wen Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Miao He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Guanyu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Mingzhen Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Muyuan Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Muhammad Arif
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
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Tegegne AM, Lohani TK, Eshete AA. Potential risk assessment due to groundwater quality deterioration and quantifying the major influencing factors using geographical detectors in the Gunabay watershed of Ethiopia. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:753. [PMID: 37247114 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11328-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater quality has become deteriorated due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Poor water quality has a potential risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the potential risk of groundwater quality contamination levels and public health risks in the Gunabay watershed. For this task, seventy-eight groundwater samples were collected from thirty-nine locations in the dry and wet seasons during 2022. The groundwater contamination index was applied to assess the overall quality of groundwater. Six major driving forces (temperature, population density, soil, land cover, recharge, and geology) and their quantitative impact of each factor on groundwater quality deterioration were demonstrated using Geodetector. The results showed that low groundwater quality was detected in urban and agricultural land. Especially nitrate contamination was highly linked to groundwater quality deterioration and public health risks, and a medium contamination level was observed in the area. This indicates that the inappropriate application of fertilizer on agricultural land and wastewater from urban areas has a great impact on shallow aquifers in the study area. Furthermore, the major influencing factors are ranked as soil type (0.33-0.31) > recharge (0.17-0.15) > temperature (0.13-0.08) > population density (0.1-0.08) > land cover types (0.07-0.04) > lithology (0.05-0.04). The interaction detector revealed that the interaction between soil ∩ recharge, soil ∩ temperature, and soil ∩ land cover, temperature ∩ recharge is more influential to deteriorate groundwater quality in both seasons. Identification and quantification of the major influencing factors may provide new insight into groundwater resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarun Kumar Lohani
- Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
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Health Risk Assessment, Bioaccumulation Factors and Ecological Indices of Heavy Metals in Sediment, Fish and Water Along Asuoyeboah River, Kumasi: A Case Study. CHEMISTRY AFRICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42250-022-00524-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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