Major Contaminants Research Articles

Degradation of phenylarsonic acid in phenylarsenic chemical warfare agents by Fe-modified CNT electroactive filter activating peroxymonosulfate: Performance and mechanism

Phenylarsonic acid (PAA) is a major organic arsenic contaminant in abandoned arsenic-based chemical weapons areas, and poses threats to the water environment due to potential arsenic pollution; However, relevant remediation methods are lacking. In this study, a Fe-modified carbon nanotube (CNT) electroactive filter was developed for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation towards PAA decontamination. The developed system can realise synchronous adsorption and oxidation of PAA (85.6 %) with PMS (1.5 mM) under electric field assistance (-1 V). Radicals (SO4•– and HO•) and non-radicals (1O2) contributed to PAA degradation and the formation of As (V). The preferable PAA degradation efficiency stemmed from facilitated Fe (II)/Fe (III) redox cycles with applied electric field assistance. Secondary inorganic arsenic could also be immobilised as FeOAs bonds on the Fe-modified CNT filter. Additionally, PAA degradation pathways were proposed based on density functional theory (DFT) and intermediate identification. The system efficacy was also evaluated by regulating the critical operational parameters (applied voltage, flow rate, PMS concentration, pH and co-existing anions) and using complicated matrices (tap water and lake water). Our findings provide a new solution for PAA remediation and simultaneous immobilisation of secondary inorganic arsenic by combining membrane, PMS activation and electrochemical methods.

Antifungal Activity of Leaf Extract of Alchornea cordifolia Against Aspergillus flavus the causal Agent of Yam Tuber Rot

Rots and mycotoxin contamination of agro-produce are prevalent in tropical world. Aspergillus flavus is a major mycotoxigenic rot contaminant of tubers in Abia state, Nigeria. Consumption of mycotoxin contaminated foodstuffs accounts for 25% of medically important human diseases in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to assess antifungal activity of Alchornea cordifolia against A. flavus a mycotoxigenic rot pathogen of stored tuber produce both in vitro and in vivo. Isolates were made from rotted yam tubers and pathogenicity test carried out to confirm A. flavus as pathogen. Five concentrations (100-500 mg mL-1) of methanol leaf extracts of the plant and thiophanate-methyl–a standard fungicide–were evaluated against the growth of the fungus in culture and pathogen-induced rot development and spread in vivo. The experiment was made up of 7 treatments and 3 replicates laid out in CRD. The plant leaf extract demonstrated varying levels of inhibition of A. flavus in vitro and rot development and spread in living tissues of yam. About 56.38%–68.22% and 67.245–80.01% inhibition was recorded by 100 mg mL-1 and 500 mg mL-1 of A. cordifolia extract for spore germination respectively whereas the same concentrations reduced rot development from 60% in the control experiment to 21.80% and 12.10% respectively which compared favorably (P<0.05) with standard fungicide, thiophanate-methyl. The plant demonstrated strong antifungal activity in vitro and minimized A. flavus induced rot advancement in living yam tissues.

Self-Driven Sustainable Oil Separation from Water Surfaces by Biomimetic Adsorbing and Transporting Materials

Oil films on water are an increasingly major contamination problem worldwide. In 2020, we published a novel adsorption and transportation technology for oil–water separation based on biological role models like the floating fern Salvinia. This application provides an unexpected ability for the fast and efficient removal of oil films, particularly in ecologically important freshwater biota. A single small Bionic Oil Adsorber (BOA) with 1 m2 functional textile can collect up to 4 L of oil per hour, which equals about 100 m2 of oil film from a water surface into a collecting vessel. This is a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for the ubiquitous contaminations of, e.g., fuel oil in freshwater environments. Here, we present updated, new experimental data, and a review of the literature published since.

Spatial and seasonal variations, ecological and human risks of trace metals in major rivers within the oil producing zone of Nigeria

The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in sediments from Great Kwa, Calabar, Cross River, Imo, and Qua Iboe Rivers were investigated during the dry and wet seasons using standard techniques. Results indicated that the mean concentrations of all the metals were within their acceptable limits although; higher concentrations were obtained during the wet season. Cd was the major contaminant in the studied sediments; the ecological risks of all the metals except Cd were in the low class. The potential ecological risks of the metals were in the low and moderate categories during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Sediments from Qua Iboe River exhibited very high human health risks for both seasons. Factor analysis revealed anthropogenic and natural factors as the major sources of these metals in sediments from the rivers investigated for both seasons. The estimated daily intake (EDI) rates of these metals via exposure to the studied sediments were within their recommended oral reference doses however; higher wet season values were recorded. The hazard index (HI) values of the trace metals were less than one (1) but, higher during the wet season. Pb and Cd were the major contributors to the total HI during the dry and wet seasons. The relative risk analysis for both seasons also confirmed Cd as the major human risk in the studied sediments. This research has exposed the levels of trace metals and their associated human risks in sediments from the rivers investigated.

MgAl2O4 nanospinel: Green synthesis, characterization and effective heterogeneous catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of carbol fuchsin dye and synthesis of 2-aryl substituted benzoxazole derivatives

In this study we report, plant extract mediated green, expedient, cost effective and environment friendly synthesis of MgAl2O4 nanospinel and their potential application in the field of photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminant and biologically active benzoxazole synthesis. The synthesized spinel material was characterized by XRD, TGA, FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDAX, TEM, UV–Visible spectra, XPS and BET for obtaining the structural, morphological, optical, and textural properties. Sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation efficiency of this catalyst was performed on a widely used industrial dye carbol fuchsin (CF) which is a major contaminant that is being mixed in water resources. The contamination could be degraded upto 96.84 % when its concentration is 30 ppm at pH 9, by the nanospinel of 0.6 g/L. Kinetic model of degradation follows pseudo- first order kinetic with rate constant of 0.043 min−1. Also the nanospinel has the key benefits in the synthesis of some benzoxazole derivatives as a catalyst, that its shorter reaction time, excellent yield, safety and moderate reaction conditions, non-toxicity and simple work up procedures.

Effect of Arsenic on Fluoride Tolerance in Microbacterium paraoxydans Strain IR-1.

Fluoride (F) and arsenic (As) are two major contaminants of water and soil systems around the globe, causing potential toxicity to humans, plants, animals, and microbes. These contaminated soil systems can be restored by microorganisms that can tolerate toxic stress and provide rapid mineralization of soil, organic matter, and contaminants, using various tolerance mechanisms. Thus, the present study was undertaken with the arsenic hyper-tolerant bacterium Microbacterium paraoxydans strain IR-1 to determine its tolerance and toxicity to increasing doses of fluoride, either individually or in combination with arsenic, in terms of growth inhibition using a toxicity unit model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for fluoride increased, from 9 g/L to 11 g/L and from 5.91 ± 0.1 g/L to 6.32 ± 0.028 g/L, respectively, in the combination (F + As) group. The statistical comparison of observed and expected additive toxicities, with respect to toxicity unit (TU difference), using Student's t-test, was found to be highly significant (p < 0.001). This suggests the antagonistic effect of arsenic on fluoride toxicity to the strain IR-1. The unique stress tolerance of IR-1 ensures its survival as well as preponderance in fluoride and arsenic co-contaminated sites, thus paving the way for its possible application in the natural or artificial remediation of toxicant-exposed degraded soil systems.

Fabrication and characterization of self-supporting and backed 107Ag targets for lifetime measurements using RDM and DSAM

Self-supporting and Au backed 107Ag targets have been fabricated from material in the form of powder at the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi. The method described in this report (using the combination of cold rolling and e-beam melting technique) is efficient in such a way that targets are fabricated without any significant loss of material and are free from major contamination. Consequently, this method of fabricating targets is useful for materials which are very expensive. Various techniques for thickness measurements and characterizations have been carried out, viz., α-transmission method, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The thickness of self-supporting 107Ag and backed 107Ag is ≈1.43± 0.08 and ≈1.11± 0.07 mg/cm2, respectively. One of the fabricated targets has been used successfully in nuclear physics experiment.

Metal phytostabilization by mastic shrub (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and its root-associated bacteria in different habitats of Sardinian abandoned mining areas (Italy).

Pistacia lentiscus L. is an excluder metallophyte proposed for the revegetation and phytostabilization of metal-contaminated sites in the Mediterranean area. The present study aims at evaluating the linking between bacterial communities and plants spontaneously growing in ecosystems chronically impacted by mining activities. Environmental properties and metal accumulation into hypogeal and epigeal tissues were analyzed in wild plants of two contrasting habitats with extreme metal contamination (> 2300mg/kg for Zn, > 1100mg/kg for Pb, > 10mg/kg for Cd). The community structures of rhizospheric and root endophytic bacteria were fingerprinted by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of the 16S rRNA gene. The wild shrubs efficiently restrict the accumulation of the three major contaminants to the epigeal tissues in the two habitats under study (249 ± 68mg/kg dw for Zn, 43 ± 21mg/kg dw for Pb, and 1.4 ± 0.5mg/kg dw for Cd). Evidence was provided that the combined but not individual effect of environmental conditions (moisture, inorganic carbon, pH) and proportion between Zn and Cd in the mine substrate play a role in structuring rhizosphere bacterial communities. The observed changes in community structures of root endophytes were found to be strongly associated with Pb level in roots and substrate properties (inorganic carbon and Zn/Cd ratio). Overall, our study highlights the importance of the analysis of multifactorial interactions among mine substrate, plant, and microbes for understanding how the environmental context affects phytoremediation under real conditions.

Isolation of soil bacteria able to degrade the anthelminthic compound albendazole

Anthelmintic (AHs) veterinary drugs constitute major environmental contaminants. The use of AH-contaminated fecal material as manures in agricultural settings constitutes their main route of environmental dispersal. Once in soils, these compounds induce toxic effects to soil fauna and soil microbiota, both having a pivotal role in soil ecosystem functioning. Therefore, it is necessary to identify mitigation strategies to restrict the environmental dispersal of AHs. Bioaugmentation of AH-contaminated manures or soils with specialized microbial inocula constitutes a promising remediation strategy. In the present study, we aimed to isolate microorganisms able to actively transform the most widely used benzimidazole anthelminthic albendazole (ABZ). Enrichment cultures in minimal growth media inoculated with a soil known to exhibit rapid degradation of ABZ led to the isolation of two bacterial cultures able to actively degrade ABZ. Two oxidative products of ABZ, ABZSO and ABZSO2, were detected at low amounts along its degradation. This suggested that the oxidation of ABZ is not a major transformation process in the isolated bacteria which most probably use other biotic pathways to degrade ABZ leading to the formation of products not monitored in this study. Full length sequencing of their 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis assigned both strains to the genus Acinetobacter. The sequences were submitted in GeneBank NCBI, database with the accession numbers OP604271 to OP604273. Further studies will employ omic tools to identify the full transformation pathway and the associated genetic network of Acinetobacter isolates, information that will unlock the potential use of these isolates in the bioaugmentation of contaminated manures.

Assessment of major element hydrogeochemistry and agricultural contamination of groundwater in the coastal plain of Gimje, midwestern South Korea

Assessment of major element hydrogeochemistry and agricultural contamination of groundwater in the coastal plain of Gimje, midwestern South Korea

Environment-relevant concentrations of cadmium induces necroptosis and inflammation; baicalein maintains gill homeostasis through suppressing ROS/ER stress signaling in common carps (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Cadmium (Cd) is a major contaminant in natural environments and exerts adverse effects on aquatic biota at low concentrations. Gill is as vital respiratory organ and may cause pollutants to enter fish during gas exchange. Baicalein (BAI), as a kind of flavonoids, possess antioxidant properties through inactivating free radicals. To confirm the potential effects and approaches of BAI addition in maintaining the gill stability, 90 common carps (Cyprinus carpio L.) were selected and randomly divided into water environment exposure group (0.22 mg/L Cd) and/or feed added with 0.10 g/kg BAI for 30 days. The analysis of ion content in serum showed that Cd exposure disturbed ion homeostasis, and BAI could reduce serum Cd concentration. The histopathological results of gills showed that Cd exposure caused gill tissue lesions and structural damage, and BAI feeding effectively alleviated this damage. In addition, BAI could enhance antioxidant activity and activate Nrf2/HO-1 axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Moreover, BAI lightened cytokine imbalance, inflammatory response, and necroptosis. Overall, the results indicated that BAI feeding could maintain gill homeostasis against Cd poisoning via the ROS/ER stress signaling. This trial revealed the properties of BAI resistance to metal Cd in aquaculture and partially elucidated its mechanism.

Harvesting of aerial humidity with natural hygroscopic salt excretions.

Plants and animals that thrive in arid regions utilize the diurnal changes in environmental temperature and humidity to optimize their water budget by combining water-harvesting mechanisms and morphophysiological traits. The Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) is a halophytic desert shrub that survives in arid, hypersaline conditions by excreting concentrated solutions of ions as droplets on its surface that crystallize into salt crystals and fall off the branches. Here, we describe the crystallization on the surface of the plant and explore the effects of external conditions such as diurnal changes in humidity and temperature. The salt mixtures contain at least ten common minerals, with NaCl and CaSO4·2H2O being the major products, SiO2 and CaCO3 main sand contaminants, and Li2SO4, CaSO4, KCl, K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O, CaMg(CO3)2 and AlNaSi3O8 present in smaller amounts. In natural conditions, the hanging or sitting droplets remain firmly attached to the surface, with an average adhesion force of 275 ± 3.5 µN measured for pure water. Rather than using morphological features of the surface, the droplets adhere by chemical interactions, predominantly by hydrogen bonding. Increasing ion concentration slightly increases the contact angle on the hydrophobic cuticle, thereby lowering surface wettability. Small amounts of lithium sulfate and possibly other hygroscopic salts result in strong hygroscopicity and propensity for deliquescence of the salt mixture overnight. Within a broader context, this natural mechanism for humidity harvesting that uses environmentally benign salts as moisture adsorbents could provide a bioinspired approach that complements the currently available water collection or cloud-seeding technologies.

Growth response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) exposed to Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas stutzeri, and Pseudomonas gessardii in lead contaminated soil

Lead (Pb) is a major contaminant among heavy metals in the soil environment that has negative impacts on the growth of plants, which ultimately cause health risk via entering into the food chain. In this regard, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) might improve plant growth by counteracting the harmful effects of Pb stress. Therefore, the present pot study was conducted to evaluate the role of PGPR in improving the growth of cowpea in Pb-contaminated soil. Three different concentrations of Pb (250, 350, and 750 mg kg−1) were applied alone (control) and in combination with bacterial inoculums [S1 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), S2 (Pseudomonas stutzeri) and S3 (Pseudomonas gessardii)] using completely randomized design each with three replicates. Results showed that plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, shoot length, root length, and chlorophyll contents of cowpea plants were improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by applying bacterial isolates as compared to the un-inoculated contaminated control. Among bacterial isolates, S3 performed better as compared to other bacterial isolates. The maximum increase in plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, shoot length, root length, and chlorophyll content was observed under S3 bacterial strain. Bacterial inoculation also enhanced the Pb concentration in the plant and the maximum uptake was recorded under S3 bacterial strain at 750 mg kg−1. Consequently, it has been concluded that PGPR has the great potential to enhance the plant growth and physiological characteristics of cowpea in Pb-contaminated sites and can also be used for bioremediation purposes.

Beyond tradition: a novel approach for edible bird nest cleaning and its processing.

An edible bird nest is a product of the solidified saliva secretion from a few different swiftlet's species, during the breeding season. But the high impurities in A. maximus and C. esculent nests make them less ideal to be consumed. Eggshells and guano are the major contaminants contributing to the nitrite and nitrates contents. However, recent studies have shown significant medicinal and cosmetic applications of edible bird nest like anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, enhancing bone strength, and anti-aging. Thus, the high demand for edible bird nest in the global market to explore its potential application has improved from swiftlet farming activities to the cleaning process. Recent studies have shown the use of immobilized enzymes like keratinase for the removal of contaminants. The current review discusses the importance of Swiftlet bird nest, its application, and commercialization.

A simultaneous qualitative and quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for on-site and rapid detection of streptomycin in pig blood serum and urine

Veterinary antibiotic residues are major contaminants in animal-derived foods and dairy products, and the consumption of contaminated products is associated with severe health risks. Among the wide range of veterinary antibiotics, streptomycin (STR, an aminoglycoside commonly used to treat bacterial infections) is widely administered to livestock. Hence, efficient on-site sensing strategies are required to detect veterinary antibiotics. Using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), we fabricated a one-step lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) for the simultaneous quantitative and qualitative detection of STR in pig serum and urine samples. A specific anti-streptomycin monoclonal antibody was conjugated with AuNPs to fabricate LFIA test strips. Several key parameters were optimized to enhance the sensitivity of the LFIA sensor. The visual limit of detection of the sensor was 5 ng/mL for both serum and urine spiked samples, and cut-off values for serum and urine were 20 ng/mL and 22 ng/mL, respectively, which demonstrated the developed LFIA sensor is highly sensitive for detecting STR. Furthermore, test strips had good reliability and produced results within 10 min without the need for professional personnel or specialized equipment. We also combined the LFIA test strips with an LFIA reader to obtain quantitative results and assess risk ranges. The success rates of the LFIA reader for serum and urine sample testing were 95.5 % and 91 %, respectively. These results indicate the test strips could be utilized as a significant sensing strategy for semi quantitative, qualitative, and quantitative on-site detection of STR in pig serum and urine samples before slaughter.

Hydrogeochemical evaluation with emphasis on nitrate and fluoride in urban and rural drinking water resources in western Isfahan province, central Iran.

Nitrate (NO3-) and fluoride (F-) are two major potential contaminants found in the groundwater of Iran. These contaminants are highly dangerous to humans if consumed more than the safe limit prescribed by the WHO. Therefore, in this study, the urban and rural drinking water resources of Isfahan province (central Iran) were investigated to evaluate the quality of groundwater from the perspective of NO3- and F-. The calculated saturation index (SI) shows that the majority of samples are mainly undersaturated or in equilibrium with respect to potential minerals. The most likely interpretation for undersaturation with respect to most minerals is either that the minerals are not present if they are reactive or if they are present, then they are not reactive. This study reveals that the majority of the groundwater samples belong to the Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type. Further, in this study, potential physicochemical variables have been used to calculate entropy weighted water quality index (EWQI). The EWQI reveals that the majority of the groundwater in the area is of good quality. Results show that the water chemistry in the area is largely governed by the water-rock interaction. This study based on large data sets reveals that the majority of drinking water resources are uncontaminated by F-. However, the groundwater is found to be largely contaminated by NO3-. The bivariate plot suggests that the unscientific farming practices and overuse of manures and fertilizers are largely responsible for high content of NO3-. Therefore, emphasis should be given on the cost-effective environmentally friendly fertilizers. The findings from this study will aid the governing authorities and concerned stakeholders to understand the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in this region. The results will help formulate policies in the area for sustainable water supply.

Unravelling Heavy Metal Dynamics in Soil and Honey: A Case Study from Maramureș Region, Romania.

The study examined soil and honey samples from the Maramureș region, assessing potentially toxic elements and their concentrations. The highest concentrations were found for (Cu), (Zn), (Pb), (Cr), (Ni), (Cd), (Co), and (As), while (Hg) remained below the detection limit. Samples near anthropogenic sources displayed elevated metal levels, with the Aurul settling pond and Herja mine being major contamination sources. Copper concentrations exceeded the legal limits in areas near these sources. Zinc concentrations were highest near mining areas, and Pb and Cd levels surpassed the legal limits near beehives producing acacia honey. Nickel and Co levels were generally within limits but elevated near the Herja mine. The study highlighted the role of anthropogenic activities in heavy metal pollution. In the second part, honey samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations, with variations across types and locations. Positive correlations were identified between certain elements in honey, influenced by factors like location and pollution sources. The research emphasized the need for pollution control measures to ensure honey safety. The bioaccumulation factor analysis indicated a sequential metal transfer from soil to honey. The study's comprehensive approach sheds light on toxic element contamination in honey, addressing pollution sources and pathways.

ESTIMATION AND DETOXIFICATION OF AFLATOXINS IN OSTRICH FEED SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Ostrich farming is an emerging agricultural business in Pakistan with high demands for meat, eggs, oil, feathers, and leather. However, the presence of aflatoxins may lead to health hazards to poultry and consumers depending on this industry. A study for aflatoxin contamination was conducted on ostrich feed samples collected from 10 localities of Lahore with an emphasis on storage and handling conditions. The samples were analyzed using thin liquid chromatography. The aflatoxin positive feed samples were then detoxified using 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g bud powder of Moringa oleifera, incubated for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and were analyzed again. Results revealed maximum contamination (60%) during summers with an average temperature of 30.88 ºC and minimum (20%) in winters with an average temperature of 17.08 ºC. The major contaminant that found was B1 Aflatoxin. Results were statistically analyzed by applying Paired T–Test which proved the effectiveness of M. oleifera ratio in detoxification of feed aflatoxins. On the basis of this study, it was concluded that M. oleifera buds are an efficient biological agent against aflatoxins in feed. In addition, control of temperature and improvement in storage conditions at the sites can reduce the risks of aflatoxicosis

Magnetic Susceptibility and Hydrogen Cyanide Levels as Proxy Indicator for Gold Mining Pollution in River Sediment

Sumbawa’s Kuris River is one of the rivers contaminated by the island’s traditional gold mine. In order to detect contaminant levels, we examine the magnetic susceptibility, HCN levels, and the heavy metal contents on the river’s surface sediment. Environmental pollution has been widely assessed using a combination of magnetic properties and geochemical analysis. The goals of this research are to discover how magnetic susceptibility (χ) can be used as a first-order proxy for pollution. The relation between susceptibility and HCN is of particular interest, as this is a major contaminant associated with gold mining. The surface sediment samples were collected at ten different locations along the rivers. The magnetic susceptibility was determined using the Bartington MS2B, and the hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentration was determined using Argentometric titration. The element content was determined by an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) ranges from 71 to 115×10-8 m3/kg, with an average of 97×10-8 m3/kg, and the χfd(%) analysis ranges from 2% to 4%. The presence of spherical iron oxides, which are indicative of combustion byproducts, was also confirmed by SEM. The samples have low magnetic susceptibility but high levels of Hg and HCN. AAS results showed high Fe, Zn, and Cu concentrations in river sediments, with more variable concentrations of Hg, Mn, As, Cr, and Au. Because Fe, Cu, As, Hg, and HCN have a significant Pearson’s correlation with χfd(%), this parameter can be a useful indicator for contamination caused by gold mining waste.

Time series analysis of groundwater quality at selected sites of Purba and Paschim Burdwan, West Bengal, India.

The Water Quality Index (WQI) is used to monitor the health and usability of a water body. In this study, we aimed to construct time series prediction models using groundwater WQI (GW-WQI) at four sites: IISCO-Asansol, Durgapur Town, Burdwan University, and Burdwan Station. While statistical spatio-temporal analysis has been reported earlier, no time series analysis of the data or predictive modelling has been done. Pre-monsoon and post-monsoon physico-chemical data from 2010 to 2022 were obtained from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board website to calculate the GW-WQI. Prediction modelling was performed using R 4.1.3 software. Best fit forecast models were selected to predict future trends of GW-WQI with 80% of the data. Subsequently, the models were validated using R-squared, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), maximum absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Thiel's U for the model using 20% of the data. Our results show that GW-WQI was good in pre-monsoon but unfit for drinking in post-monsoon in IISCO-Asansol, Durgapur Town, Burdwan University, and Burdwan Station. Arsenic, fluoride, and mercury were the major contaminants resulting in poor GW-WQI. Seasonal ARIMA was the best model for Burdwan University and IISCO-Asansol, ETSfor Durgapur Station, and BaggedARIMA for Burdwan Station. The forecast model for Durgapur and Burdwan Station predicted a sharp increase until 2027 but was fluctuating for IISCO-Asansol and Burdwan University. Thus, GW-WQI is a major problem in the industrial belt of West Bengal that is likely to remain high or worsen in the future.