Trace metals contamination in groundwater and implications on human health: comprehensive assessment using hydrogeochemical and geostatistical methods

Brindha, K. ORCIDiD
Paul, Rajib
Walter, Julien
Tan, Mou Leong
Singh, Mahesh Kumar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00637-9
Persistent URL: http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/10624
Brindha, K.; Paul, Rajib; Walter, Julien; Tan, Mou Leong; Singh, Mahesh Kumar, 2020: Trace metals contamination in groundwater and implications on human health: comprehensive assessment using hydrogeochemical and geostatistical methods. In: Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42, 11, 3819-3839, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00637-9. 
 
Brindha, K.; Hydrogeology Group, Institute of Geological Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Paul, Rajib; Department of Chemistry, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, India
Walter, Julien; Department of Applied Sciences, Centre d’études sur les ressources minérales (CERM), Risk Resources Water (R2eau) Research Group, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Canada
Tan, Mou Leong; Geography Section, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
Singh, Mahesh Kumar; Department of Chemistry, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, India

Abstract

Monitoring the groundwater chemical composition and identifying the presence of pollutants is an integral part of any comprehensive groundwater management strategy. The present study was conducted in a part of West Tripura, northeast India, to investigate the presence and sources of trace metals in groundwater and the risk to human health due to direct ingestion of groundwater. Samples were collected from 68 locations twice a year from 2016 to 2018. Mixed Ca–Mg–HCO3, Ca–Cl and Ca–Mg–Cl were the main groundwater types. Hydrogeochemical methods showed groundwater mineralization due to (1) carbonate dissolution, (2) silicate weathering, (3) cation exchange processes and (4) anthropogenic sources. Occurrence of faecal coliforms increased in groundwater after monsoons. Nitrate and microbial contamination from wastewater infiltration were apparent. Iron, manganese, lead, cadmium and arsenic were above the drinking water limits prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Water quality index indicated 1.5% had poor, 8.7% had marginal, 16.2% had fair, 66.2% had good and 7.4% had excellent water quality. Correlation and principal component analysis reiterated the sources of major ions and trace metals identified from hydrogeochemical methods. Human exposure assessment suggests health risk due to high iron in groundwater. The presence of unsafe levels of trace metals in groundwater requires proper treatment measures before domestic use.