Source apportionment and risk assessment of trace element pollution in Yamuna river water in Delhi: a probability based approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigate the sources, seasonal variation, and health risks of ten elements in water collected at ten sites in Yamuna, Delhi. Mean concentration of the elements ranged from 0.8 ± 0.8 µg/L for Co to 9455 ± 6379 µg/L for Fe, and followed in the order Co>Cd >As>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cr>Pb>Mn>Fe. Mean Cr and Pb levels exceed the WHO prescribed limit. Spatial variation was insignificant except for Mn. Seasonal variation of Pb, Cr, Fe, Zn, and As was significant, and in the order summer≥monsoon>winter. Cluster analysis identified five groups of elements. Principal component analysis indicates industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater effluents as the chief sources of the observed level of elements. Probability of non-carcinogenic health risk was moderate for Cr (69%), Mn (62%), As (44%), and Fe (29%) and high for Pb (96%). Cr, Ni, Cd, As and Pb pose carcinogenic risk with high probability (84–100%) except for Pb (4.8%).