Prosperity risk assessment by heavy metal contamination on human health and multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater as a drinking source

摘要

Abstract The surface and groundwater are the main sources for human consumption, and the groundwater is being used as a supplement where the surface water is not adequate due to insufficient accessibility and contamination. Fast growing population, anthropogenic activities creating serious environmental concerns on the deterioration of groundwater. The quality of drinking water has a significant effect on human health. Contaminated surface and groundwater may be the cause of a number of diseases in 3rd world countries. According to the survey conducted by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in 22 districts of Sindh, the weathering of rocks and anthropogenic activities are viewed as principal natural and artificial sources of heavy metals (HM). The aim of this research was to investigate concentration of heavy metal (Co, Cd, Cr, As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Fe) and the quality of the groundwater of district Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. The research examined the possible health risk of the population triggered by consuming heavy metals (HM). HM concentrations were analyzed by flame air-acetylene atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) using standard burner head with 800 (Perkin Elmer, Singapore). The results were compared with the permissible limit of the WHO, and samples of reference water (Rfw) were collected from a water supply scheme of Hyderabad city. The health risk assessment of hazard quotient (HQ) and chronic daily intake (CDI) was calculated based on the concentration of HM. The CDI values for groundwater Hyderabad rural (GWHR) and groundwater Hyderabad city (GWHC) were higher than the threshold value of 1.00 shown in decreasing order Zn > Fe > Ni > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cd > Cr > Co and Fe > Zn > Cr > Mn > Ni > Co > Pb > Cu, respectively. The HQ values of GWHR and GWHC were found greater than 1.00 in lowering order: Cd > Co > Pb > Cu and Co > Cd > Pb and Cr, respectively. The results of CDI and HQ values were calculated greater than the safe limit 1.00 for multiple metal ions and may be a cause of indicated health risk for the consumers of the district of Hyderabad. This study confirmed that specific methods are required for the incorporated evaluation of the groundwater pollution and affords a systematic foundation for the strategic destiny making plans and complete management for the availability of hygienic water for the habitants of the study area.