Heavy metal contamination in the groundwater of the southern expanse of the Northwestern Himalayan region: An evaluation of pollution indices and health risks utilizing Mathematical Modelling

Abstract

Water quality has a direct impact on both human health and the socioeconomic system's viability. Pollutants, especially heavy metals, seep into water systems and deteriorate water quality as human activity increases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal contamination in groundwater and its potential health risk posed to humans in the southern part of the Northwestern Himalayan region, encompassing four Kashmir districts (Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam), during both pre- and post-monsoon, using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The research scrutinized heavy metal levels in 25 borewell water samples. The Nemerow pollution index was employed to assess water quality, revealing varying degrees: Dooru Shahabad exhibited excellent quality (NPI < 0.5), Hillar and Kakapura were classified as good (NPI 0.5–0.75), while Wanpoh and Zeewan displayed moderate quality (NPI 0.75–1). The remaining 20 samples showed consistently poor quality (NPI > 1). Spatial distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Mn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Zn) was mapped using contour maps, revealing concentrations ranging from 0.01 mg/L to 0.15 mg/L for Pb, 0.05 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L for Ni, and 0.1 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L for Mn. Statistical analysis, including ANOVA, showed no significant variations in mean concentrations of Pb (0.05 ± 0.01 mg/L), Ni (0.1 ± 0.02 mg/L), Cd (0.01 ± 0.005 mg/L), Cu (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/L), Fe (0.4 ± 0.1 mg/L), and Zn (0.2 ± 0.05 mg/L) (p > 0.05), Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that the main source of heavy metal pollution in the groundwater of study area is anthropogenic. The contamination extent underscores the necessity to evaluate its human health impact. The carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic hazards were calculated using the measured concentration of heavy metals and the average daily water intake. The calculated carcinogenic risk values for Pb is 2.31x 10-3, Cd is 6.51x10-5, and Ni is 3.94 x 10-5 exceeds the acceptable limit of 1.0 x 10-6 as per different agencies. Non-carcinogenic risk rankings across districts were Pb>Ni>Mn>Cd>Cu>Fe>Zn, with Pb posing the highest carcinogenic risk. Subsequently, total health risk, incorporating non-carcinogenic risks for seven heavy metals and carcinogenic risks for three, was mathematically computed. Lead was found to contribute 72% to the total health risk. This research illuminates the degree of pollution caused by heavy metals in a region of paramount importance, urging further investigation into its health implications that can support the decision-making of local government organisations regarding the sustainable use of groundwater resources and the efficient protection of the groundwater environment.

Keywords

• Groundwater quality assessment
• nemerrow pollution index
• carcinogenic risk
• non-carcinogenic risk
• human health risk

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