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Rashid A, Ayub M, Gao X, Khattak SA, Ali L, Li C, Ahmad A, Khan S, Rinklebe J, Ahmad P. Hydrogeochemical characteristics, stable isotopes, positive matrix factorization, source apportionment, and health risk of high fluoride groundwater in semiarid region. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:134023. [PMID: 38492393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134023] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to high fluoride (F-) levels in groundwater causes community fluorosis and non-carcinogenic health concerns in local people. This study described occurrence, dental fluorosis, and origin of high F-groundwater using δ2H and δ18O isotopes at semiarid Gilgit, Pakistan. Therefore, groundwater (n = 85) was collected and analyzed for F- concentrations using ion-chromatography. The lowest F- concentration was 0.4 mg/L and the highest 6.8 mg/L. F- enrichment is linked with higher pH, NaHCO3, NaCl, δ18O, Na+, HCO3-, and depleted Ca+2 aquifers. The depleted δ2H and δ18O values indicated precipitation and higher values represented the evaporation effect. Thermodynamic considerations of fluorite minerals showed undersaturation, revealing that other F-bearing minerals viz. biotite and muscovite were essential in F- enrichment in groundwater. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and principal component analysis multilinear regression (PCAMLR) models were used to determine four-factor solutions for groundwater contamination. The PMF model results were accurate and reliable compared with those of the PCAMLR model, which compiled the overlapping results. Therefore, 28.3% exceeded the WHO permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L F-. Photomicrographs of granite rocks showed enriched F-bearing minerals that trigger F- in groundwater. The community fluorosis index values were recorded at > 0.6, revealing community fluorosis and unsuitability of groundwater for drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rashid
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Botany Hazara University, Mansehra PO 21300 Pakistan
| | - Xubo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Seema Anjum Khattak
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan
| | - Liaqat Ali
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan
| | - Chengcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Ajaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, PO 25120, Pakistan
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Soil, and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Parvaiz Ahmad
- Department of Botany, GDC, Pulwama 192301, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Ali A, Ullah Z, Ismaeel N, Rashid A, Khalid W, Siddique M, Iqbal J, Khan A, Waqas M, Ghani J. Integrated Approach to Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Major Industrial Zone of Punjab, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:34396-34414. [PMID: 38702486 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33402-x] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater contamination with arsenic (As) is a significant concern in Pakistan's Punjab Province. This study analyzed 69 groundwater samples from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Multan to understand hydrogeochemistry, health impacts, contamination sources, and drinking suitability. Results revealed varying as concentrations across districts, with distinctive cation and anion orders. Faisalabad exhibited Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Fe2+ for cations and SO42- > Cl- > HCO3- > NO3- > F- for anions. Gujranwala showed Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- for anions. In Lahore, demonstrated: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Fe > K+ for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- for anions. Multan indicated K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > Fe for cations and HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > F- > NO3- ) for anions. Hydrochemical facies were identified as CaHCO3 and CaMgCl types. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), highlighted the influence of natural processes and human activities on groundwater pollution. Water Quality Index (WQI) result reveal that most samples met water quality standards. The carcinogenic risk values for children exceeded permissible limits in all districts, emphasizing a significant cancer risk. The study highlights the need for rigorous monitoring to mitigate (As) contamination and protect public health from associated hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmat Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Zahid Ullah
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Nayab Ismaeel
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Abdur Rashid
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Warda Khalid
- Environmental Protection Division, Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd, Zijin Road, Zijin TowerShanghang, 364200, Longyan, Fujian Province, China
| | - Maria Siddique
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Javed Iqbal
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Anwarzeb Khan
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Swat, 19120, Pakistan
- Department of Horticultural Science, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Junaid Ghani
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Ullah Z, Zeng XC, Rashid A, Ghani J, Ali A, Shah M, Zainab R, Almutairi MH, Sayed AA, Aleya L. Integrated approach to hydrogeochemical appraisal of groundwater quality concerning arsenic contamination and its suitability analysis for drinking purposes using water quality index. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20455. [PMID: 37993472 PMCID: PMC10665467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40105-9] [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: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Arsenic (As), contamination in drinking groundwater resources is commonly environmental problem in many developing countries including Pakistan, with significant human health risk reports. In order to examine the groundwater quality concerning As contamination, its geochemical behavior along with physicochemical parameters, 42 samples were collected from community tube wells from District Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. The results showed the concentration of elevated As, its source of mobilization, and associated public health risk. The As concentration detected in groundwater samples varied from 0.12 to 104 µg/L with an average value of 34.7 µg/L. Among 42 groundwater samples, 27 samples were beyond the permitted limit of 10 µg/L recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), for drinking purposes. Statistical analysis result show that the groundwater cations values are in decreasing order such as: Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+, while anions were HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3-. Hydrochemical facies result depict that the groundwater samples of the study area, 14 samples belong to CaHCO3 type, 5 samples belong to NaCl type, 20 samples belong to Mixed CaMgCl type, and 3 samples belong to CaCl2 type. It can be accredited due to weathering and recharge mechanism, evaporation processes, and reverse ion exchange. Gibbs diagram shows that rock water interaction controls the hydrochemistry of groundwater resources of the study area. Saturation Index (SI) result indicated the saturation of calcite, dolomite, gypsum, geothite, and hematite mineral due their positive SI values. The principal component analysis (PCA) results possess a total variability of 80.69% signifying the anthropogenic and geogenic source of contamination. The results of the exposure-health-risk-assessment method for measuring As reveal significant potential non-carcinogenic risk (HQ), exceeding the threshold level of (> 1) for children in the study area. Water quality assessment results shows that 24 samples were not suitable for drinking purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Abdur Rashid
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Junaid Ghani
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Asmat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Muddaser Shah
- Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 23200, Pakistan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mauz, P.O. Box 33, 616, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Rimsha Zainab
- Department of Botany, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mikhlid H Almutairi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany A Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne, Franche-Comté University, CEDEX, 25030, Besancon, France
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Ullah Z, Rashid A, Nawab J, Bacha AUR, Ghani J, Iqbal J, Zhu Z, Alrefaei AF, Almutairi MH. Fluoride Contamination in Groundwater of Community Tube Wells, Source Distribution, Associated Health Risk Exposure, and Suitability Analysis for Drinking from Arid Zone. WATER 2023; 15:3740. [DOI: 10.3390/w15213740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride (F−) pollution in potable groundwater (GW) is a serious environmental concern in Pakistan with substantial human health hazard reports. The research on F− pollution in GW resources in Sindh Province is still incomplete. To explore the realistic conditions, the present research aimed to investigate the GW quality of community tube wells concerning F− contamination in Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 53 samples were collected and examined for F−, along with other physicochemical parameters. The F− values observed varied from 0.2–4.2 mg/L, with a mean value of 1.63 mg/L. Among the 53 samples, 46% had F− levels that were higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit (1.5 mg/L). The water type of the studied region was Ca-HCO3 type, which can be attributed to fresh recharged water. The interaction of rock–water contact controls the hydrochemistry of GW. The GW resources of the research zone were highly saturated with fluorite minerals. Human health risk calculation outcomes exposed that 21 samples showed high HQ values for children and 7 samples showed high values for adults in the research zone. Children are at high risk in the study area from drinking F−-contaminated GW. WQI results showed that 31 samples were not suitable for drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Abdur Rashid
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
| | - Aziz-Ur-Rahim Bacha
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Junaid Ghani
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhiling Zhu
- Department of Biomedicine and Health, Shanghai Vocational of Agriculture and Forestry, Shanghai 201600, China
| | - Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mikhlid H. Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Rashid A, Ayub M, Bundschuh J, Gao X, Ullah Z, Ali L, Li C, Ahmad A, Khan S, Rinklebe J, Ahmad P. Geochemical control, water quality indexing, source distribution, and potential health risk of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater: Occurrence, sources apportionment, and positive matrix factorization model. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132443. [PMID: 37666175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride (F-), and arsenic (As) in the groundwater cause health problems in developing countries, including Pakistan. We evaluated the occurrence, distribution, sources apportionment, and health hazards of F-, and As in the groundwater of Mardan, Pakistan. Therefore, groundwater samples (n = 130) were collected and then analyzed for F-, and As by ion-chromatography (IC) and Inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). The F-, and As concentrations in groundwater were 0.7-14.4 mg/L and 0.5-11.2 µg/L. Relatively elevated F-, and As coexists with higher pH, Na+, HCO3-, SO4-2, and depleted Ca+2 due to fluoride, sulfide-bearing minerals, and anthropogenic inputs. Both F-, and/or As are transported in subsurface water through adsorption and desorption processes. Groundwater samples 45%, and 14.2% exceeded the WHO guidelines of 1.5 mg/L and 10 µg/L. Water quality indexing (WQI-model) declared that 35.7% samples are unfit for household purposes. Saturation and undersaturation of minerals showed precipitation and mineral dissolution. Groundwater contamination by PCA-MLR and PMF-model interpreted five factors. The fitting results and R2 values of PMF (0.52-0.99)>PCA-MLR (0.50-0.95) showed high accuracy of PMF-model. Human health risk assessment (HHRA-model) revealed high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for children than adults. The percentile recovery of F- and As was recorded 98%, and 95% with reproducibility ± 5% error.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rashid
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Botany, Hazara University, 21300, Pakistan
| | - Jochen Bundschuh
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba 4350, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xubo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Zahid Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Liaqat Ali
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan
| | - Chengcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Ajaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Soil, and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Parvaiz Ahmad
- Department of Botany, GDC, Pulwama 192301, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Wang Z, Xiong H, Ma C, Zhang F, Li X. Assessment of groundwater vulnerability by applying the improved DRASTIC model: a case in Guyuan City, Ningxia, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:59062-59075. [PMID: 37002526 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26763-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is the main source of production and living in most arid and semi-arid areas, and it plays an increasingly critical role in achieving local urban development. There is a serious issue regarding the contradiction between urban development and groundwater protection. In this study, we used three different models to assess the groundwater vulnerability of Guyuan City, including DRASTIC model, analytical hierarchy process-DRASTIC model (AHP-DRASTIC) and variable weight theory-DRASTIC model (VW-DRASTIC). The groundwater vulnerability index (GVI) of the study area was calculated in ArcGIS. Based on the magnitude of GVI, the groundwater vulnerability was classified into five classes: very high, high, medium, low, and very low using the natural breakpoint method, and the groundwater vulnerability map (GVM) of the study area was drawn. In order to validate the accuracy of groundwater vulnerability, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used, and the results showed that the VW-DRASTIC model performed best among the three models (ρ=0.83). The improved VW-DRASTIC model shows that the variable weight model effectively improves the accuracy of the DRASTIC model, which is more suitable for the study area. Finally, based on the results of GVM combined with the distribution of F- and urban development planning, suggestions were proposed for further sustainable groundwater management. This study provides a scientific basis for groundwater management in Guyuan City, which can be an example for similar areas, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiye Wang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hanxiang Xiong
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chuanming Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Fawang Zhang
- Center for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Baoding, 071051, China
| | - Xuan Li
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Rashid A, Ayub M, Ullah Z, Ali A, Sardar T, Iqbal J, Gao X, Bundschuh J, Li C, Khattak SA, Ali L, El-Serehy HA, Kaushik P, Khan S. Groundwater Quality, Health Risk Assessment, and Source Distribution of Heavy Metals Contamination around Chromite Mines: Application of GIS, Sustainable Groundwater Management, Geostatistics, PCAMLR, and PMF Receptor Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20032113. [PMID: 36767482 PMCID: PMC9916341 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs) released by weathering and mineral dissolution of granite, gneisses, ultramafic, and basaltic rock composition causes human health concerns worldwide. This paper evaluated the heavy metals (HMs) concentrations and physicochemical variables of groundwater around enriched chromite mines of Malakand, Pakistan, with particular emphasis on water quality, hydro-geochemistry, spatial distribution, geochemical speciation, and human health impacts. To better understand the groundwater hydrogeochemical profile and HMs enrichment, groundwater samples were collected from the mining region (n = 35), non-mining region (n = 20), and chromite mines water (n = 5) and then analyzed using ICPMS (Agilent 7500 ICPMS). The ranges of concentrations in the mining, non-mining, and chromite mines water were 0.02-4.5, 0.02-2.3, and 5.8-6.0 mg/L for CR, 0.4-3.8, 0.05-3.6, and 3.2-5.8 mg/L for Ni, and 0.05-0.8, 0.05-0.8, and 0.6-1.2 mg/L for Mn. Geochemical speciation of groundwater variables such as OH-, H+, Cr+2, Cr+3, Cr+6, Ni+2, Mn+2, and Mn+3 was assessed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Geochemical speciation determined the mobilization, reactivity, and toxicity of HMs in complex groundwater systems. Groundwater facies showed 45% CaHCO3, 30% NaHCO3, 23.4% NaCl, and 1.6% Ca-Mg-Cl water types. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of HMs outlined via hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard indices (THI) showed the following order: Ni > Cr > Mn. Thus, the HHRA model suggested that children are more vulnerable to HMs toxicity than adults. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) showed three distinct clusters, namely the least, moderately, and severely polluted clusters, which determined the severity of HMs contamination to be 66.67% overall. The PCAMLR and PMF receptor model suggested geogenic (minerals prospects), anthropogenic (industrial waste and chromite mining practices), and mixed (geogenic and anthropogenic) sources for groundwater contamination. The mineral phases of groundwater suggested saturation and undersaturation. Nemerow's pollution index (NPI) values determined the unsuitability of groundwater for domestic purposes. The EC, turbidity, PO4-3, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, Cr, Ni, and Mn exceeded the guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The HMs contamination and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts of HMs showed that the groundwater is extremely unfit for drinking, agriculture, and domestic demands. Therefore, groundwater wells around the mining region need remedial measures. Thus, to overcome the enrichment of HMs in groundwater sources, sustainable management plans are needed to reduce health risks and ensure health safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rashid
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Botany, Hazara University, Dhodial P.O. Box 21120, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Asmat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Tariq Sardar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
| | - Javed Iqbal
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xubo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jochen Bundschuh
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Chengcheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Seema Anjum Khattak
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
| | - Liaqat Ali
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
| | - Hamed A. El-Serehy
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh l1451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Prashant Kaushik
- Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar P.O. Box 25120, Pakistan
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Non-Carcinogenic Health Risk Evaluation of Elevated Fluoride in Groundwater and Its Suitability Assessment for Drinking Purposes Based on Water Quality Index. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159071. [PMID: 35897434 PMCID: PMC9331254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride (F-) contamination in drinking groundwater is a significant human health risk in Pakistan. Moreover, high fluoride pollution in drinking water causes a variety of disorders, including dental, neurological, and skeletal fluorosis. The aim of this research was to evaluate the health risk of elevated fluoride in groundwater and its suitability assessment for drinking purposes. The total of (n = 37) samples were collected from community tube wells of Quetta Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan. The results show a mean pH value of 7.7, TDS of 404.6 mg/L, EC of 500 µs/cm, depth of 96.8 feet, and turbidity of 1.7 nephelometric turbidity units. The mean values of HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+, were 289.5, 47.5, 30.6, and 283.3 mg/L, respectively. The mean values of SO42-, NO3-, K+, Cl-, and Fe2+, were 34.9, 1.0, 1.6, 25.6, and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. The F- concentration in the groundwater varied between 0.19 and 6.21, with a mean value of 1.8 mg/L, and 18 samples out of 37 were beyond the WHO recommended limit of 1.5 mg/L. The hydrochemical analysis results indicated that among the groundwater samples of the study area, 54% samples were Na-HCO3 type and 46% were mixed CaNaHCO3 type. The saturation indices of the mineral phases reveal that the groundwater sources of the study area were saturated with CaCO3 and halide minerals due to their positive (SI) values. Such minerals include calcite, dolomite, gypsum, and fluorite. The principal component analysis results reveal that the groundwater sources of the study area are contaminated due to geological and anthropogenic actions. The health risk assessment results of the F- concentrations show the ranges of ADDingestion for children, females, and males in the Quetta Valley, and their mean values were observed to be 0.093052, 0.068825, and 0.065071, respectively. The HQingestion mean values were 1.55086, 1.147089, and 1.084521 for children, females, and males, respectively. It was noticed that children had the highest maximum and average values of ADDingestion and HQingestion in the research area, indicating that groundwater fluoride intake poses the greatest health risk to children. The water quality index (WQI) analyses show that 44% of the samples belong to the poor-quality category, 49% were of good quality, and 8% of the samples of the study area belong to the excellent category.
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