Groundwater chemistry and human health risk assessment in the mining region of East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Umesh Kumar; Ramanathan, A.L.; Subramanian, V.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 204(2018)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 513
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Mining -- Groundwater -- Major ions -- Heavy metals -- Exposure -- Human health risk; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Groundwater chemistry of mining region of East Singhbhum district having complex contaminant sources were investigated based on heavy metals loads and other hydrochemical constituents. This study aimed to identify the degree of heavy metals exposure and their potential health risk to local population. The results of hydrochemical analysis showed that Na +, K +, and Ca 2+ ions are the dominant cations in the groundwater, while HCO3 −, F − and Cl − ions dominate the anionic part of the groundwater. The weathering process was considered the dominant factor to determine the major ionic composition in the study area. Compositional analysis for heavy metal has identified that groundwater of the study area is contaminated by Cd, Pb and Cr elements. Source of these metals have been identified as an anthropogenic inputs from mining activities and mineral processing units. Health risk analysis of individual heavy metal for chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) was found in the order of Cr > As > Cd > Pb which is indicating high health risk for the population. In addition, Hazard Index (HI) analysis for heavy metals was found significantly high (>1) which is considered as a threat for human population because they have the tendency to accumulate in the body and cause variety of diseases like kidney problem, dysfunction of liver and renal cortex as well as cancer. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Lithological and anthropogenic sources have controlled the groundwater chemistry. Critical load of Cd, Pb and Cr elements were found with high human health risk. Enrichment of metals controlled water chemometrics, geology and land use practices. Mining and industrial process are responsible for critical load of heavy metals.