Pollution and Risk Evaluation of Toxic Metals and Metalloid in Water Resources of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

Abstract

Clean and safe drinking water is an integral part of daily living and is considered as a basic human need. Hence, this study investigated the suitability of the domestic water (DW) and groundwater (GW) samples with respect to the presence of metals and metalloid (MMs) in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The MMs analyzed in the area of study for DW and GW were Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn). The results revealed that Pb has the mean highest concentration for DW, while Fe is in GW resources in the area. Quality evaluation of DW and GW was performed using Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Nemerow’s Pollution Index (NPI), and Ecological Risk Index (ERI). The mean NPI value calculated for DW was 135 times greater than the upper limit of the unpolluted location category. The highest NPI observed was 1080 times higher than the upper limit of the unpolluted site category. That of the ERI observed in the area was 23.8 times higher than the upper limit for a “low” ERI category. Furthermore, the health risk assessment (HRA) of the GW and DW of the study area revealed non-carcinogenic health risks of the MMs analyzed in GW samples, and potential carcinogenic health risks from As, Cr, Pb, and Ni in DW. The use of machine learning geostatistical interpolation (MLGI) mapping to illustrate the PI and health risk (HR) in the area was an efficient and dependable evaluation tool for assessing and identifying probable MMs pollution hotspots. The data, tools, and the process could be utilized in carrying out water assessment, the evaluation leading to a comprehensive water management program in the area and neighboring regions of similar conditions.