Unveiling nitrate contamination and health risks: Insights from groundwater quality assessment and Monte Carlo simulation along the Southern Caspian Sea Coasts

IF 4.9 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Pub Date : 2024-09-12 DOI:10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101340

Mohammad Ali Zazouli , Nafiseh Dashtban , Maryam Akbari Jalalvand , Samaneh Jahani Kheilgavan , Farhad Mashhadi Kholerdi , Amin Mohammadpour , Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman‬ , Stefan Krause , Reza Dehbandi

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Abstract

Groundwater resources are at great risk of contamination due to increased industrial and agricultural activities, population growth and urban expansion. This study investigated factors controlling spatio-temporal variability in groundwater quality and nitrate concentration at the southern coast of Caspian Sea, Iran to provide public health risk assessment. Na-Cl (44.8%) and Ca-HCO₃ (58.6%) types water were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in dry and wet seasons, respectively. Most of the examined groundwater samples were found unfit for drinking but appropriate for agricultural irrigation. The chemistry of groundwater predominantly influenced by combination of local lithology and ion exchange in aquifer as well as seawater intrsuin. Nitrate concentration varied from 0.05 to 200 mg/L with a mean value of 33.1 mg/L in which 13.7% and 27.5% of samples showed concentration higher than WHO's recommended value in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The highest nitrate concentrations were observed at locations in proximity to human settlements including cities, villages as well as agricultural lands. The identified pollution hotspots confirm nitrate contributions from un-treated wastewater effluents and agricultural practices with minimum contribution from industrial activities. The result of Monte Carlo simulation revealed that children were at highest risk from drinking of groundwater containing nitrate. This study highlights the urgent need for action to address the growing threat to groundwater quality and public health posed by contamination from various sources in the southern coasts of Caspian Sea.

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揭示硝酸盐污染和健康风险：南里海沿岸地下水质量评估和蒙特卡洛模拟的启示

由于工农业活动增加、人口增长和城市扩张，地下水资源面临着巨大的污染风险。本研究调查了控制伊朗里海南岸地下水水质和硝酸盐浓度时空变化的因素，以提供公共健康风险评估。在旱季和雨季，Na-Cl（44.8%）和 Ca-HCO3（58.6%）类型的水分别是主要的水文地质化学类型。大部分受检地下水样本不适合饮用，但适合农业灌溉。地下水的化学性质主要受当地岩性和含水层离子交换以及海水入侵的综合影响。硝酸盐浓度从 0.05 毫克/升到 200 毫克/升不等，平均值为 33.1 毫克/升，其中旱季和雨季分别有 13.7% 和 27.5% 的样本硝酸盐浓度高于世界卫生组织的建议值。在靠近人类居住区（包括城市、村庄和农田）的地方，硝酸盐浓度最高。已确定的污染热点证实，硝酸盐主要来自未经处理的废水和农业活动，而工业活动对硝酸盐的影响最小。蒙特卡罗模拟结果显示，儿童饮用含硝酸盐的地下水的风险最高。这项研究突出表明，迫切需要采取行动，应对里海南部沿岸各种来源的污染对地下水质量和公众健康造成的日益严重的威胁。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

10.20%

发文量

152

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.