Abstract
Heavy metals in surface and groundwater were analysed and their sources were identified using multivariate statistical tools for two towns in South Africa. Human exposure risk through the drinking water pathway was also assessed. Electrical conductivity values showed that groundwater is desirable to permissible for drinking except for six locations. Concentration of aluminium, lead and nickel were above the permissible limit for drinking at all locations. Boron, cadmium, iron and manganese exceeded the limit at few locations. Heavy metal pollution index based on ten heavy metals indicated that 85% of the area had good quality water, but 15% was unsuitable. Human exposure dose through the drinking water pathway indicated no risk due to boron, nickel and zinc, moderate risk due to cadmium and lithium and high risk due to silver, copper, manganese and lead. Hazard quotients were high in all sampling locations for humans of all age groups, indicating that groundwater is unsuitable for drinking purposes. Highly polluted areas were located near the coast, close to industrial operations and at a landfill site representing human-induced pollution. Factor analysis identified the four major pollution sources as: (1) industries; (2) mining and related activities; (3) mixed sources- geogenic and anthropogenic and (4) fertilizer application.
Highlights
Human habitation and disposal of wastes affect the water supply sources and leads to new environmental issues
This is because certain heavy metals are required for normal functioning of the human body, but exposure to excess concentration of heavy metals may lead to health risks
electrical conductivity (EC) is a good indicator of total salinity or total amount of dissolved solids in water
Summary
Human habitation and disposal of wastes affect the water supply sources and leads to new environmental issues. Groundwater pollution due to heavy metals where it is used as a source of drinking water [6,7,8] and the possible risk to human health has been studied widely [9,10]. This is because certain heavy metals are required for normal functioning of the human body, but exposure to excess concentration of heavy metals may lead to health risks. Arsenic is a much studied heavy metal in groundwater affecting larger parts of
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