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Abaasa CN, Ayesiga S, Lejju JB, Andama M, Tamwesigire IK, Bazira J, Byarugaba F. Assessing the quality of drinking water from selected water sources in Mbarara city, South-western Uganda. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297794. [PMID: 38547180 PMCID: PMC10977771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality with emphasis on risk score, source apportionment, geochemistry, feacal coliforms and water quality index of drinking water from selected water sources. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six villages in Mbarara city, south-western Uganda. Each selected source was inspected using a WHO-adopted sanitary inspection questionnaire. Each source's risk score was calculated. Thirty-seven samples were taken from one borehole, nine open dug wells, four rain harvest tanks, and twenty-three taps. The values for apparent color and phosphate were higher than the permissible level as set by the World Health Organization and Ugandan standards (US EAS 12). The isolated organisms were Klebsiella spp. (8.11%), Citrobacter divergens (62.16%), Citrobacter fluendii (2.7%), E. coli (35.14%), Enterobacter aerogenes (8.11%), Enterobacter agglomerus (5.4%), Proteus spp. (2.7%), Enterobacter cloacae (13.5%), and Proteus mirabilis (2.7%). Twelve water sources (32.4%) had water that was unfit for human consumption that was unfit for human consumption (Grade E), Five sources (13.5%) had water that had a very poor index (Grade D), nine (24.3%) had water of poor index (Grade C), eight (21.6%) had water of good water index (Grade B), and only three (8.1%) had water of excellent water quality index (Grade A). The piper trilinear revealed that the dominant water type of the area were Mgso4 and Caso4 type. Gibbs plot represents precipitation dominance. PCA for source apportionment showed that well, tap and borehole water account for the highest variations in the quality of drinking water. These results suggest that drinking water from sources in Mbarara city is not suitable for direct human consumption without treatment. We recommend necessary improvements in water treatment, distribution, and maintenance of all the available water sources in Mbarara City, South Western Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine N. Abaasa
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Savino Ayesiga
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Julius B. Lejju
- Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | | | - Joel Bazira
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Frederick Byarugaba
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Kundu D, Dutta D, Joseph A, Jana A, Samanta P, Bhakta JN, Alreshidi MA. Safeguarding drinking water: A brief insight on characteristics, treatments and risk assessment of contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:180. [PMID: 38244090 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12311-z] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Water pollution stands as a critical worldwide concern, bearing extensive repercussions that extend to human health and the natural ecosystem. The sources of water pollution can be diverse, arising from natural processes and human activities and the pollutants may range from chemical and biological agents to physical and radiological contaminants. The contamination of water disrupts the natural functioning of the system, leading to both immediate and prolonged health problems. Various technologies and procedures, ranging from conventional to advanced, have been developed to eliminate water impurities, with the choice depending on the type and level of contamination. Assessing risks is a crucial element in guaranteeing the safety of drinking water. Till now, research is continuing the removal of contaminates for the sake of supplying safe drinking water. The study examined physical, inorganic, organic, biological and radiological contaminants in drinking water. It looked at where these contaminants come from, their characteristics, the impact they have and successful methods used in real-world situations to clean the contaminated water. Risk assessment methodologies associated with the use of unsafe drinking water as future directives are also taken into consideration in the present study for the benefit of public concern. The manuscript introduces a comprehensive study on water pollution, focusing on assessing and mitigating risks associated with physical, inorganic, organic, biological and radiological contaminants in drinking water, with a novel emphasis on future directives and sustainable solutions for public safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debajyoti Kundu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
| | - Deblina Dutta
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522 240, India.
| | - Anuja Joseph
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721 302, India
| | - Ankan Jana
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302 017, India
| | - Palas Samanta
- Department of Environmental Science, Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, University of North Bengal, Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri, 735 210, India
| | - Jatindra Nath Bhakta
- Department of Ecological Studies & International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741 235, India
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Szekeres E, Baricz A, Cristea A, Levei EA, Stupar Z, Brad T, Kenesz M, Moldovan OT, Banciu HL. Karst spring microbiome: Diversity, core taxa, and community response to pathogens and antibiotic resistance gene contamination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165133. [PMID: 37364839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Karst aquifers are important water resources for drinking water supplies worldwide. Although they are susceptible to anthropogenic contamination due to their high permeability, there is a lack of detailed knowledge on the stable core microbiome and how contamination may affect these communities. In this study, eight karst springs (distributed across three different regions in Romania) were sampled seasonally for one year. The core microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To identify bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements, an innovative method was applied, consisting of high-throughput antibiotic resistance gene quantification performed on potential pathogen colonies cultivated on Compact Dry™ plates. A taxonomically stable bacterial community consisting of Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Actinomycetota was revealed. Core analysis reaffirmed these results and revealed primarily freshwater-dwelling, psychrophilic/psychrotolerant species affiliated to Rhodoferax, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas genera. Both sequencing and cultivation methods indicated that more than half of the springs were contaminated with faecal bacteria and pathogens. These samples contained high levels of sulfonamide, macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramins B, and trimethoprim resistance genes spread primarily by transposase and insertion sequences. Differential abundance analysis found Synergistota, Mycoplasmatota, and Chlamydiota as suitable candidates for pollution monitoring in karst springs. This is the first study highlighting the applicability of a combined approach based on high-throughput SmartChip™ antibiotic resistance gene quantification and Compact Dry™ pathogen cultivation for estimating microbial contaminants in karst springs and other challenging low biomass environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Szekeres
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Baricz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adorján Cristea
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Erika Andrea Levei
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zamfira Stupar
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Traian Brad
- Department of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marius Kenesz
- Department of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Oana Teodora Moldovan
- Department of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horia Leonard Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Romeiro Dos Santos I, Machado da Silva IN, Camilo-Cotrim CF, Madureira de Almeida L, Luiz Borges L, Cardoso Bailão EFL. Spring water quality monitoring using multiple bioindicators from multiple collection sites. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2023; 86:707-719. [PMID: 37598363 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2246507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the water quality of the Extrema River spring in a Brazilian Cerrado area. Three collection sites (P1 - P3) were sampled in the dry and rainy seasons, which are close to industries from different sectors. In the physicochemical analysis, a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels (<5 mg/L) and pH (< 6) at P3 was detected. An increase in heterotrophic bacteria count was recorded at all sites (> 500 colonies/ml). In ecotoxicological analyses, P2 and P3 exhibited toxicity using Vibrio fischeri (> 20%). In evaluating toxicity, the reduction in seed germination was significant utilizing Lactuca sativa at all locations and with Allium cepa only at P2; rootlet length was decreased at P3 on L. sativa and at all sites with A. cepa. In contrast, loss of membrane integrity and mitochondrial function of meristems was adversely affected at all locations using both L. sativa and A. cepa assays. Principal components analysis (PCA) approach indicated that seasonality apparently did not markedly interfere with the obtained data, but it is important to include more collection locations to be evaluated with multiple bioindicators in the spring region. Our data indicate the urgent need for more rigorous programs to monitor the discharge of effluents into water springs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Romeiro Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Câmpus Central, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Leonardo Luiz Borges
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Câmpus Central, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
- Escola de Ciências Médicas e da Vida, Pontíficia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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Hasan AB, Reza AHMS, Siddique MAB, Akbor MA, Nahar A, Hasan M, Zaman MN, Hasan MI, Moniruzzaman M. Spatial distribution, water quality, human health risk assessment, and origin of heavy metals in groundwater and seawater around the ship-breaking area of Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:16210-16235. [PMID: 36181596 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of eleven heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, As, and Ag) were assessed in both groundwater and seawater collected from the ship-breaking industrial area of Bangladesh using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The investigation aimed to estimate the water quality and pollution level employing several indices, and its associated health risks for the first time in that area. This study found that Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Ni were higher in both groundwater and seawater compared with WHO standards. Based on the WQI (water quality index) and EWQI (entropy water quality index) classifications, the quality of most of the groundwater is extremely poor or unsuitable for drinking purposes. Furthermore, the HPI (heavy metal pollution index), HEI (heavy metal evaluation index), and CD (degree of contamination) values of most groundwater and all seawater samples exhibit a higher degree of pollution. In addition, the results of NI (Nemerow pollution index) come to an end that both groundwater and seawater in the study area are mostly polluted by Fe, Mn, Pb, Cr, and Cd. Although the HI (hazard quotient index) values of almost all studied heavy metals in both cases of adults and children are within the safe limit, the HI value of Cr for an adult is near the threshold limit and the maximum HI value of Cr for children exceeds this limit. The carcinogenic risk reveals that Cr, Pb, As, and Cd produce detrimental effects on local people through the direct ingestion of groundwater. The pollution source is identified using principal component analysis and a Pearson correlation matrix as being primarily anthropogenic and attributed to intensive ship-breaking activities or other industries in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Binta Hasan
- Department of Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
- Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Joypurhat, Bangladesh.
| | - A H M Selim Reza
- Department of Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abu Bakar Siddique
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ahedul Akbor
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Aynun Nahar
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Mehedi Hasan
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Nazim Zaman
- Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Joypurhat, Bangladesh
| | - Md Irfanul Hasan
- Department of Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Moniruzzaman
- Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Savar, 1000, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Gis-Based Assessment of Risk for Drinking Water Contamination to Children’s Health in Rural Settlements. EKOLÓGIA (BRATISLAVA) 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/eko-2022-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Nitrates and heavy metals are two of the most significant groundwater pollutants that have an impact on people’s health all around the world. In order to assess their risk to children’s health, this study aims to determine the total iron, manganese, and nitrate content in drinking water sources of non-centralized water supply of the educational institutions in the rural settlements of Zhytomyr region. A total of 114 water samples from wells and bores used by the educational institutions to supply domestic and drinking water to rural residential areas were collected. The Measurement Laboratory of Polissia National University conducted analytical studies. The danger to children’s health was evaluated using the hazard quotient and following the methodology recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The software ArcGIS Pro was used to identify risk zones.
The average total iron content in the drinking water of the Berdichev, Zhytomyr, and Novohrad-Volinsky districts was 1.5–2.8 times higher. In all regions, the average manganese concentration did not go above the allowable level. On average, the nitrate content was also below the threshold, but in 22.6–42.9% of the samples, it exceeded the allowable level. Children aged 6–12 years were at the highest risk, and children living in Berdichev district had the highest hazard quotient at 1.972. The fact that nitrates accounted for 67–84% of the total risk indicates the danger associated with the intake of nitrates, even in amounts below the allowable concentration.
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Bibi K, Shah MH. Elemental Analysis of Laryngeal Cancer Patients in Comparison with Controls Using Scalp Hair as an Analytical Tool. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022:10.1007/s12011-022-03468-0. [PMID: 36355263 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03468-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Laryngeal cancer, a rare form of head and neck cancer, is more common in men, and various factors play important roles in its etiology. In the current study, trace elemental contents in the scalp hair of laryngeal cancer patients and healthy subjects were evaluated. Selected essential and toxic elements were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after the hair samples were digested with HNO3-HClO4. The mean/median levels of Pb in the scalp hair of patients were significantly higher than the healthy donors, but Sr, Zn, and Co exhibited comparatively lower levels in the laryngeal cancer patients. In comparison to healthy donors, the correlation pattern among the elements in the hair of the patients exhibited diverse mutual relationships. The multivariate apportionment of the elemental levels in the scalp hair of both donor groups was significantly divergent. The average elemental levels varied significantly among the cancer types (glottic, supraglottic, transglottic, and subglottic) as well as the cancer stages (I, II, III, IV). The average levels of the elements also exhibited considerable variations depending on the donors' habitat, gender, food, and smoking habits. Overall, the study revealed significantly divergent disparities among the elemental contents in the scalp hair of the laryngeal cancer patients in comparison with counterpart controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalsoom Bibi
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Munir H Shah
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
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Health Risk Assessment in Southern Carpathians Small Rural Communities Using Karst Springs as a Drinking Water Source. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010234. [PMID: 35010494 PMCID: PMC8744857 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The chemical quality of waters from eight karst springs from the Southern Carpathians and the health risk of small rural communities using these springs as a drinking water source were assessed. The results indicated that the spring waters in the studied area are chemically suitable to be used as drinking water and pose no health risks for adults and children. The spring water can be generally described as having circumneutral pH, Ca-Mg-HCO3− facies, excellent to good palatability, and low trace metal and nitrate content. The variation of chemical parameters between spring and autumn was low. These springs could become appropriate drinking water sources for the neighboring rural communities after the assessment of their microbiological status and, if it is the case, proper water treatment. Moreover, periodic monitoring of the water’s chemical parameters, mostly nitrates, as well as the establishment of a protected area near the springs to prevent the negative impact of anthropogenic sources on water quality is recommended.
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MUNTEANU C, TEOIBAS-SERBAN D, IORDACHE L, BALAUREA M, BLENDEA CD. Water intake meets the Water from inside the human body – physiological, cultural, and health perspectives - Synthetic and Systematic literature review. BALNEO AND PRM RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.12680/balneo.2021.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. The average adult human body of 70 kilograms consists in about 67.85% water distributed evenly to an average of 70 % in all major organs of the body: skin, muscles, brain, spinal cord, liver, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, pancreas and gastro-intestinal tract. A smaller percentage is found in the bones (30%), teeth (5%) and fat tissue (50%).
Objective. This review article attempts to present different perspectives on the physiological properties of water in the human body. We describe from the ancient Chinese medicine theory about water being one of the 5 elements of nature and its harmonious interrelation with the other elements in order to balance the human body, to the successful experiments of researchers which demonstrated waters’ capability to change its molecular structure based on feelings, intentions and energy it was exposed to. We briefly describe the role of water for the human body and what effects can the lack of it have, especially dehydration with all the phases of severity. Also, we present the health benefits of drinking water and which type of water is best to consume. We shorty review the different types of natural mineral waters in Romania and the importance of the Romanian researches for balneology and how the waters cand be administrated in crenotherapy for different types of pathologies.
Methods. To elaborate our systematic review, we have searched for relevant open access articles and review articles in ISI Web of Science, published from January 2017 until August 2021. The terms used were water AND health in the title. Articles were excluded in the second phase if they did not reach the relevance citation criterion. The eligible articles were analyzed in detail regarding water importance for human health.
Results. Our search identified, first, 548 articles. After applying a PEDro like selection filter and, we selected 93 articles with a minimum of 8 points on our PEDro like filtering scale (good, very good, and excellent articles with a minimum of 5 citations per year). Detailed analysis of the 93 selected articles has conducted us to the elimination of 33 of them as being on a different subject than that of our article. To the 60 full articles retained for this systematic and synthetic article, we have added 10 articles found through a separate Google search, as being considered of high relevance for our subject and necessary to be included.
Conclusions. Water is essential for the entire planet and also indispensable for the survival of the human body.
Keywords: water intake, water balance, body water, water molecular structure, dehydration, crenotherapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin MUNTEANU
- 1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa, 16 University Street, Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Liviu IORDACHE
- Clinical Emergency Regional Hospital Ilfov, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Corneliu-Dan BLENDEA
- Clinical Emergency Regional Hospital Ilfov, Bucharest, Romania 5. “Titu Maiorescu” University, Faculty of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
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GIS, Multivariate Statistics Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Water Supply Quality for Human Use in Central Mexico. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13162196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The spatial assessments of water supply quality from wells, springs, and surface bodies were performed during the dry and rainy seasons in six municipalities in the eastern regions of Michoacán (Central Mexico). Different physicochemical parameters were used to determine the supplies’ Water Quality Index (WQI); all of the communities presented good quality. The analysis indicates that many water quality parameters were within limits set by the international standards, showing levels of “excellent and good quality” according to WQI, mainly during the dry season (except at San Pedro Jácuaro and Irimbo communities in the rainy season). However, some sites showed “poor quality” and “unsuitable drinking water” related to low pH levels (<5) and high levels of turbidity, color, Fe, Al, Mn, and arsenic. Multivariate statistical analysis techniques (Principal Component and Hierarchical Cluster) and geographic information system (GIS) identify potential sources of water pollution and estimate the geographic extension of parameters with negative effects on human health (mainly in communities without sampling). According to multivariate analysis, the Na+/K+ ratio and water temperature (22–42 °C) in various sites suggest that the WQI values were affected by geological and geothermal conditions and physical changes between seasons, but were not from anthropogenic activity. The GIS established predictions about the probable spatial distribution of arsenic levels, pH, temperature, acidity, and hardness in the study area, which provides valuable information on these parameters in the communities where the sampling was not carried out. The health risk assessment for dermal contact and ingestion showed that the noncancer risk level exceeded the recommended criteria (HQ > 1) in the rainy season for three target groups. At the same time, the carcinogenic risk (1 × 10−3) exceeded the acceptability criterion in the rainy season, which suggests that the As mainly represents a threat to the health of adults, children, and infants.
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Török AI, Moldovan A, Levei EA, Cadar O, Tănăselia C, Moldovan OT. Assessment of Lithium, Macro- and Microelements in Water, Soil and Plant Samples from Karst Areas in Romania. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:4002. [PMID: 34300922 PMCID: PMC8306611 DOI: 10.3390/ma14144002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Lithium is a critical element for the modern society due to its uses in various industrial sectors. Despite its unequal distribution in the environment, Li occurrence in Romania was scarcely studied. In this study a versatile measurement method using ICP-MS technique was optimized for the determination of Li from various matrixes. Water, soil, and plant samples were collected from two important karst areas in the Dobrogea and Banat regions, Romania. The Li content was analyzed together with other macro- and microelement contents to find the relationship between the concentration of elements and their effect on the plants' Li uptake. In Dobrogea region, half of the studied waters had high Li concentration, ranging between 3.00 and 12.2 μg/L in the case of water and between 0.88 and 11.1 mg/kg DW in the case of plants, while the Li content in the soil samples were slightly comparable (from 9.85 to 11.3 mg/kg DW). In the Banat region, the concentration of Li was lower than in Dobrogea (1.40-1.46 μg/L in water, 6.50-9.12 mg/kg DW in soil, and 0.19-0.45 mg/kg DW in plants). Despite the high Li contents in soil, the Li was mostly unavailable for plants uptake and bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Iulia Török
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.T.); (E.A.L.); (O.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Ana Moldovan
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.T.); (E.A.L.); (O.C.); (C.T.)
- Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University, 103-105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Erika Andrea Levei
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.T.); (E.A.L.); (O.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Oana Cadar
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.T.); (E.A.L.); (O.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Claudiu Tănăselia
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.T.); (E.A.L.); (O.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Oana Teodora Moldovan
- Cluj Department, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, 5 Clinicilor, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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Spatial Variation of Water Chemistry in Aries River Catchment, Western Romania. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11146592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.
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Water Quality and Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Some Karst Water Sources in Apuseni Mountains, Romania. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13060857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human activities and natural factors determine the hydrogeochemical characteristics of karst groundwaters and their use as drinking water. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical characteristics of 14 karst water sources in the Apuseni Mountains (NW Romania) and their potential use as drinking water sources. As shown by the Durov and by the Piper diagrams, the chemical composition of the waters is typical of karst waters as it is dominated by HCO3− and Ca2+, having a circumneutral to alkaline pH and total dissolved solids ranging between 131 and 1092 mg L−1. The relation between the major ions revealed that dissolution is the main process contributing to the water chemistry. Limestone and dolostone are the main Ca and Mg sources, while halite is the main Na and Cl source. The Gibbs diagram confirmed the rock dominance of the water chemistry. The groundwater quality index (GWQI) showed that the waters are of excellent quality, except for two waters that displayed medium and good quality status. The quality of the studied karst waters is influenced by the geological characteristics, mainly by the water–rock interaction and, to a more limited extent, by anthropogenic activities. The investigated karst waters could be exploited as drinking water resources in the study area. The results of the present study highlight the importance of karst waters in the context of good-quality water shortage but also the vulnerability of this resource to anthropogenic influences.
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