Multivariate statistical methods and GIS based evaluation of the health risk potential and water quality due to arsenic pollution in the Kızılırmak River

Abstract

The Kızılırmak River is Turkey's longest (1,355 km) river and it is important since it constitutes the drinking and irrigation water source of the Central Anatolia Region. In the current study, the spatial distribution, effect on irrigation water quality, environmental pollution status, ecotoxicological and health risks as well as possible sources of 12 potential toxic elements' (PTEs) (manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)) concentrations from surface water samples in the Kızılırmak River were analyzed by using geographical information systems (GIS) software, ecotoxicological indices, and multivariate statistical analysis. As a result of the current study, it was determined that the As concentration is above the World Health Organization (WHO) limit values, and, in terms of the 12 PTEs, there is slight heavy metal contamination in the river according to the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) values and there is a low level of pollution. The Hazard Quotient for ingestion (HQingestion) and Hazard Index (HI) values indicate that non-carcinogenic effects may occur. Exposure to river water is likely to result in a low level of carcinogenic risk (CR) in adults, mainly due to the As concentration. The water at Sampling Station S3 (131.79) cannot be used for drinking and is not suitable for consumption. According to the sodium percentage (Na%), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), and Magnesium Hazard (MH) index results, river water is suitable for agricultural use.