Abstract
This study investigated sediment spatial and seasonal distribution of trace elements (TEs) (n = 16) and human health effects along the Hooghly River Estuary (India). The index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), hazard quotient (HQ), modified hazard quotient (mHQ) and toxic risk unit (TRI) were calculated to estimate sediment pollution level, while hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) were used to assess TEs enrichment vs. human health. The concentrations (µg/g dry weight) of TEs were: Cd (0.01–1.58), Cr (41.98–105.49), Cu (16.41–51.09), Ni (28.37–63.90), Fe (22075–47919), Mn (423–630), Co (11.43–23.11), Zn (48.82–105.81), V (63.92–138.92), Pb (25.01–43.27) and Ti (0.18–3.50); As (2.92–16.26), B (59.34–98.78), Si (11.52–98.78); Be (1.71–4.81), Ba (95.23–293.72). From Igeo and EF, Cd was the major contaminant, while Ni presented moderate/high contamination (HQ and TRI). Children were more exposed to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks compared to adults. For non-carcinogenic substances, no significant risk was found to both children and adults (HIs < 1). The LCR for Cr (3.924 × 10−4 for children) and As (1.379 × 10−4 for children) was higher than the threshold limit value (TLV, 10−4 and 10−6) indicating significant carcinogenic risks to be managed.
Highlights
Urban areas, industry and agriculture can release great amounts of the so-called trace elements (TEs), resulting especially in the degradation of estuarine environments with implications to human health [1]
Huge quantities of sediment are transported through the rivers and tributaries, a part is deposited in the indentation of terrain and riverbed, while the remaining part is flushed into the Bay of Bengal
The CaCO3 contents ranged from 9.08% to 14.26% with the maximum value encountered at sampling site Nurpur (S5 ) during monsoon season
Summary
Industry and agriculture can release great amounts of the so-called trace elements (TEs), resulting especially in the degradation of estuarine environments with implications to human health [1]. Several TEs such as Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn, are essential for normal human metabolism while overexposure to those elements will have detrimental effects to human health and cause chronic intoxication [2]. As, Pb and Cd are not required for metabolic activities and even at very low levels will have toxic effects on human body [3]. TEs accumulated in the estuarine sediment might expose the human body through different routes, causing incalculable harm to human health. Due to their persistence, and potential toxicity, Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni, have been listed as priority control pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Studies have shown that excessive human intake of TEs can cause neurological, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases [5,6,7]
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