Aug 2026· Discover Hazards· Vol 2· 0 citations· 82 references
Abstract
The contamination of groundwater by trace metals is a significant concern on global scale as it presents direct and indirect hazards to the ecosystem and human health. However, only limited studies have focused on the risks of trace metals’ contamination in major agronomical areas of Pakistan. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the concentrations of selected metals (Mg, K, Ca, Na, Sr, Ag, Li, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni) and physicochemical characteristics (EC, pH, TDS, TH, TA, and Cl−) in the groundwater of Southern Pothohar region of Pakistan. Significant seasonal variations in the metal concentrations were detected; average levels of Ni (0.206 mg/L), Cr (0.085 mg/L), Cu (0.038 mg/L), Mn (0.029 mg/L), Ag (0.026 mg/L), and Cd (0.017 mg/L) were comparatively higher in summer, whereas mean values of Ca (9.210 mg/L), Sr (2.181 mg/L), Co (0.195 mg/L), Li (0.033 mg/L), and Zn (0.025 mg/L) showed relatively elevated concentrations in winter. Average contents of Co, Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni were observed to surpass the permissible limits in 37–99% of the samples established by national and international standards. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that groundwater contamination was predominantly influenced by anthropogenic sources (mostly originating from agricultural waste, domestic waste, combustion processes, industrial effluents and automobile emissions). The Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) value demonstrated that the groundwater is highly suitable for irrigation. Health risk estimation revealed that noncancer risk for Cd, Cr Ni, and Li surpassed the safe limit (HQing > 1) for adults while Pb and Co exceeded the safe limit (1.0) for children and adults in both seasons. Overall, the study indicated more susceptibility of children than adults to noncarcinogenic risks. Additionally, the carcinogenic health risks for nickel, chromium, lead, and cadmium notably exceeded the acceptable threshold of 1.0 × 10− 06, indicating significant lifetime cancer risk linked to these metals in groundwater. The health concerns warrant urgent attention, and immediate actions are necessary to safeguard and improve the groundwater quality in the studied region.
To identify source distribution and evaluate risk, groundwater samples were collected from 15 different sampling areas around the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, India. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to measure the concentrations of various hazardous metals, including As, Cu, Pb, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr, at specific points within the research region. Statistical methods were then used to assess the distribution of these metals. Using analytical findings, the pollution load index (PLI), modified degree of contamination (mCdeg), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), and metal index (MI) were assessed, along with a comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal pollution. The amount of Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Cr in the groundwater was measured at 5.47, 0.45, 1.41, 0.32, 0.70, and 0.94 ppm, respectively. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Cu were below the acceptable limits. Based on the concentration and metal pollution indices, the total number of examined samples was classified as having no pollution and being moderately affected, indicating that the collected groundwater samples were of high quality. The results will provide comprehensive knowledge about the concentrations of heavy metals and contribute to efforts aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing environmental sustainability in this area.
Priyanka Gupta, Gaurav Tamrakar, Shashank Sharma· Advances in Industrial and E...· 0 citations
This study assessed heavy metal contamination and ecological and human health implications in waters of mudskipper habitats along the southeastern Bay of Bengal coast, Bangladesh. Concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, and Fe were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Nickel had the highest concentration (0.33 mg/L), followed by Co (0.15 mg/L), Pb (0.09 mg/L), Mn (0.06 mg/L), Cd (0.04 mg/L), and Cu and Zn (0.03 mg/L), while Cr and Fe were below detection limits. Significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) indicated contamination linked to maritime activities, agricultural runoff, hatchery effluents, domestic waste, and coastal transport. Correlation, principal component, and cluster analyses revealed co-occurrence patterns consistent with mixed anthropogenic and natural influences. Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, and Zn were associated with localized human activities, whereas Mn, Fe, and Cr patterns may reflect geochemical inputs, low concentrations, or analytical non-detection. These findings indicate potential source patterns rather than definitive source apportionment. Human health risk assessment identified dermal absorption as the dominant exposure pathway, with children more susceptible than adults. Several hazard quotient and hazard index values exceeded the screening threshold (HI > 1.00), particularly for Cd, Ni, Co, and Mn, indicating possible non-carcinogenic concern. Carcinogenic risk was mainly associated with Cd, Ni, and Pb, although estimates were sensitive to exposure assumptions and cancer slope factors. Overall, the study provides baseline evidence for contamination in mudskipper-associated intertidal waters and supports integrated coastal monitoring programs for water, sediment, and biota along Bangladesh's southeastern coast.
Md. Simul Bhuyan, Vinmoy Mondal, A. Morshed et al.· Marine Pollution Bulletin· 0 citations
Dong Nai Province, located in southeastern Vietnam, has experienced rapid industrial and agricultural development, accompanied by increasing pressure on groundwater resources. Excessive groundwater extraction raises concerns regarding water quality, agricultural sustainability, and public health. This study assessed groundwater contamination by nitrate, selected heavy metals, and bacterial indicators across the province. A total of 55 ground-water samples were analyzed for nitrate, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), total coliforms, and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). The mean nitrate concentration was 18.02 mg/L, with the highest levels observed in Bien Hoa City. Lead contamination was widespread, exceeding drinking-water standards at several locations, while elevated As and Cd concentrations were detected only at a limited number of sites. Bacterial contamination, indicated by total coliforms and E. coli , was detected in multiple districts, particularly in Long Khanh. Although the results primarily indicate associations rather than direct causal relationships, they highlight potential risks to groundwater used for domestic supply and agricultural irrigation. The findings provide evidence to support im - proved groundwater monitoring, agricultural water management, and policy development aimed at safeguarding rural livelihoods and sustainable agricultural development in Dong Nai Province.
V. Ho, D. Tran, T. Ngo et al.· Journal of Ecological Engine...· 0 citations
Heavy metal contamination poses significant ecological and public health concerns due to its persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulative potential of toxic metals, threatening environmental quality and sustainable development. This study evaluated the distribution, pollution status, health risks, and sources of heavy metals in soils from industrial, agricultural, and residential areas of Rivers State, Nigeria, using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Elevated concentrations of As, Mn, Se, Zn, and Co were detected across the study locations. Arsenic recorded the highest concentration in the Trans-Amadi industrial area (366.8 mg/kg), while Mn and Zn reached maximum concentrations of 1312 mg/kg and 327.9 mg/kg in Woji and Egi, respectively, exceeding the DPR limits for soil HMs. Pollution indices, including contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, pollution load index, and Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index, revealed moderate to severe contamination, with the industrial zone exhibiting a NIPI value of 12.5. Health risk assessment identified ingestion as the dominant exposure pathway. Hazard quotient values for As (9.15) in the children category exceeded USEPA-acceptable limits, indicating potential non-carcinogenic risks. Carcinogenic risk assessment identified arsenic as the principal carcinogenic contaminant, with ingestion-derived Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values in the industrial area exceeding the USEPA maximum acceptable lifetime cancer risk threshold (1 × 10−4), particularly among children, whereas the carcinogenic risks associated with the other investigated metals generally remained within acceptable or tolerable limits. Source identification indicated that industrial emissions, vehicular activities, waste disposal, and agricultural practices were the primary contributors to heavy metal accumulation. These findings provide critical scientific evidence for targeted remediation, pollution prevention, and informed health-risk environmental management to protect soil quality, ecosystem integrity, and public health. The study supports evidence-based policies that advance sustainable land management, environmental protection, and progress in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Aim of the study
This study addresses the growing concern of water pollution in rural areas, where limited monitoring can affect both human health and ecosystem stability. Contamination of freshwater resources has become an important environmental and public health issue, prompting the need for detailed local assessments. This study assesses pollution status and water quality in Baicë village, Kosovo, a rural area where limited monitoring can affect both human health and ecosystem stability.
Material and methods
Groundwater samples were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters and heavy metals, including Cr, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd. The results revealed significantly elevated concentrations of lead at all sampling points (M1: 0.27 mg/L, M2: 0.25 mg/L, M3: 0.29 mg/L), exceeding recommended limits and indicating serious contamination. Elevated levels of other parameters, including COD and BOD5, further suggest anthropogenic impacts on water quality.
Results and conclusions
Toxic element levels, including Cr, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd, were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), providing additional insights into contamination. Furthermore, geospatial analysis using GIS and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation generated contamination hotspot maps, revealing spatial variations and helping identify priority areas for targeted remediation efforts. However, due to the limited number of sampling locations and temporal coverage, the results should be considered a preliminary assessment and further monitoring is recommended to improve the understanding of groundwater contamination patterns in the study area.
Kaltrina Jusufi, Skender Demaku, Krenare Dibrani et al.· Acta Scientiarum Polonorum....· 0 citations
Heavy metal pollution in wetland ecosystems poses serious threats to aquatic biodiversity and human health, particularly in agricultural regions with limited environmental monitoring. This study assesses the distribution, sources, and health risks of eight trace metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the Khaliajury haor, a critical wetland in Netrokona, Bangladesh. From June to December 2024, samples of surface water, sediment, and ten commonly consumed fish species were collected across five sampling stations following standard QA/QC procedures. Metal concentrations were compared with national and international guidelines, and source identification was performed along with pollution indices (Igeo, PLI, PER) and health risks (THQ, HI, CR). In surface water, Mn and Cu exceeded permissible limits at all stations. Cr and Hg in sediment surpassed the toxicity reference value (TRV) at every site, while Cd, Ni, and Cu were elevated at multiple locations. However, negative Igeo values and PLI scores below 1 indicated uncontaminated sediment status with low potential ecological risk (PER). In fish tissues, Mn exceeded maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) in seven of ten species, followed by Pb in five species, and Cr and Cd each in two species. Although THQ and HI values remained below 1, suggesting negligible non-carcinogenic risk, cancer risk (CR) values for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni exceeded the USEPA upper acceptable threshold of 10⁻4 across all species, implying potential lifetime carcinogenic risk to consumers. Multivariate analysis (correlation matrix and PCA) displayed that bioaccumulation of heavy metals sourced from agricultural runoffs, anthropogenic activities, wastewaters and environmental processes, that travel through different trophic levels in the wetland system. These findings underscore the need for systematic biomonitoring, source identification, and risk communication for communities dependent on haor fisheries.
Dulon Roy, Smita Sarker, Wasim Khan et al.· Journal of Food Protection· 0 citations
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