Groundwater hydrogeochemical processes, water quality index, and probabilistic health risk assessment in an arid and semi-arid environment (Hamedan, Iran)
{"title":"Groundwater hydrogeochemical processes, water quality index, and probabilistic health risk assessment in an arid and semi-arid environment (Hamedan, Iran)","authors":"Mohsen Jalali , Mahdi Jalali , Liam Morrison","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101255","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater protection requires an understanding of different hydrogeochemical processes and this study synthesised and analysed a large hydrogeochemical dataset (1030 data points over 15 years) of published data in western Iran, to gain a deeper understanding and reveal the main factors controlling groundwater geochemistry. Furthermore, non-carcinogenic effects on human health related to nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) concentrations were assessed. In terms of the measured parameters, four distinct clusters were identified Ca–HCO<sub>3</sub>, Na–HCO<sub>3</sub>, Na–SO<sub>4</sub>, and Na–SO<sub>4</sub>–Cl. Cluster 1 (68% of samples) had higher average pH while exhibiting lower average electrical conductivities (ECs), cations, and anions than the other clusters and had a lower average weighted arithmetic than the other clusters. 28.5%, 51.9%, 16.3%, 2.1%, and 1.2% of total water samples rated as excellent, good, poor, extremely poor, and undrinkable, respectively, implying that about 80.4% of the groundwater samples are potable. Multi-linear regression models based on pH and EC values can predict cation and anion concentrations in groundwater with high accuracy. The significance of the findings lies in their potential to facilitate the comprehension, modeling, and eventual forecasting of the fate of anions and cations in semi-arid and arid environments, as well as similar groundwaters, using common water characteristics. In order to lower the non-carcinogenic health risks to the local population, the appropriate actions should be taken. The majority of the region's agricultural areas have primary soil textures that are sandy and prone to NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> leaching. Therefore, in order to maintain the quality of the groundwater in the study region, excessive use of chemical and organic fertilizers should be avoided. These findings will contribute to understanding and safeguarding groundwater quality, while also informing management strategies in arid and semi-arid regions with similar environmental characteristics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352801X24001784","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Groundwater protection requires an understanding of different hydrogeochemical processes and this study synthesised and analysed a large hydrogeochemical dataset (1030 data points over 15 years) of published data in western Iran, to gain a deeper understanding and reveal the main factors controlling groundwater geochemistry. Furthermore, non-carcinogenic effects on human health related to nitrate (NO3−) concentrations were assessed. In terms of the measured parameters, four distinct clusters were identified Ca–HCO3, Na–HCO3, Na–SO4, and Na–SO4–Cl. Cluster 1 (68% of samples) had higher average pH while exhibiting lower average electrical conductivities (ECs), cations, and anions than the other clusters and had a lower average weighted arithmetic than the other clusters. 28.5%, 51.9%, 16.3%, 2.1%, and 1.2% of total water samples rated as excellent, good, poor, extremely poor, and undrinkable, respectively, implying that about 80.4% of the groundwater samples are potable. Multi-linear regression models based on pH and EC values can predict cation and anion concentrations in groundwater with high accuracy. The significance of the findings lies in their potential to facilitate the comprehension, modeling, and eventual forecasting of the fate of anions and cations in semi-arid and arid environments, as well as similar groundwaters, using common water characteristics. In order to lower the non-carcinogenic health risks to the local population, the appropriate actions should be taken. The majority of the region's agricultural areas have primary soil textures that are sandy and prone to NO3− leaching. Therefore, in order to maintain the quality of the groundwater in the study region, excessive use of chemical and organic fertilizers should be avoided. These findings will contribute to understanding and safeguarding groundwater quality, while also informing management strategies in arid and semi-arid regions with similar environmental characteristics.
期刊介绍:
Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.