Abstract
The temporal changes in hydro-geochemistry of groundwater from lithological diversity of Amba Dongar area were assessed from human health risk point of view. In view of this, 104 samples were collected in post- (POM) and pre-monsoon (PRM) seasons to understand the ionic concentrations and seasonal variations in major cations and anions. Based on concentration of physicochemical parameters it is inferred that groundwater quality is good for drinking and most of the parameters are within allowable limit of the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, EC, TDS, Ca2+ and HCO3− exceed the desirable while NO3 and F content are found beyond the permissible limits. The results 33% and 15% samples for nitrate and 60% and 63% samples for fluoride in POM and PRM, respectively, are above permissible limits of WHO, indicating a high health risk to inhabitants. The Piper’s trilinear diagram depicts Ca2+–Mg2+ HCO3− as major water type in both the seasons and the plots diagram that the chemical rock weathering and rock–water interaction are responsible for modifying the groundwater chemistry. Further, the total hazard index indicates that children have higher risk than adults in both. Hence, antipollution filters and rainwater recharging structures are recommended as an action to be taken to lessen the health hazard.
Highlights
In India, more than 66 million people are at risk due to consuming groundwater contaminated by various chemical elements such as fluoride, nitrate, arsenic and boron in 19 states, which includes 6 million children below 14 years (Mukherjee and Singh 2018)
The surface water samples were collected from flowing streams
The electrical conductivity (EC) values are below the World Health Organisation (WHO) (2011) desirable limit of 500 μS/cm in post-monsoon season, while it is above the in pre-monsoon (881 μS/cm), similar trend is found for Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Summary
In India, more than 66 million people are at risk due to consuming groundwater contaminated by various chemical elements such as fluoride, nitrate, arsenic and boron in 19 states, which includes 6 million children below 14 years (Mukherjee and Singh 2018). The present study is undertaken for detecting the concentration levels of major cations and anions, trace metals as well as the hazardous fluoride in groundwater from Amba Dongar area and its effect on human health. In order to study the temporal variations in hydro-geochemistry, occurrence of fluoride and nitrate in groundwaters and to identify their possible sources influencing the subsurface aqueous environment, the sampling was done in Amba Danger area. Health risk assessment method is widely used to know the exposure risk of water contaminants like nitrate, fluoride and boron by taking into consideration its use for drinking, dermal interaction and breathe (Kadam et al 2019; Narsimha and Rajitha 2018). In the case of THI value that exceeds one (THI > 1), inhabitants are exposed to noncarcinogenic risk (Li et al 2016a, b; US EPA 1989, 2001)
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