Evaluation of metal contamination and risk assessment to human health in a coal mine region of India: A case study of the North Karanpura coalfield

The present study aimed to evaluate metal contamination level in coal mine water of the North Karanpura coalfields and assess the possible health risk due to the intake of untreated mine water. Fourteen coal mine water samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) was used to calculate metal pollution level in the coal mine water. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were estimated for health risk to child and adult by using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods. The concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, and Ni in coal mine water were exceeding the acceptable as well as the maximum permissible limits specified for drinking and domestic uses. The HPI values were below the critical pollution index level of 100 except at one location. The estimated HQ and HI values for adult and children were greater than the standard limits in nearly half of the water samples. High HQ and HI values suggest that suitable treatment of coal mine water will require before its utilization in domestic and drinking purposes.     

Distribution of heavy metals in the water,sediments, and fishes from Damodar river basin at steel city,India: a probabilistic risk assessment

Abstract

The present study, deals with the estimation of degrees of contamination, ecological and human health risk of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in sediments, surface water and fishes, which were collected from middle stretch of Damodar river and ponds at Asansol, which receives outfall of various coal-based industries. Metal content in the premonsoon season was higher than the postmonsoon, due to influx of rainwater. The heavy metal pollution indices (HPI) at some locations was observed up to 1.45 times than recommended value and the cadmium (Cd) was found dominating metal for high HPI value. The Cd concentration in surface water and pore water varied from 2.8 to 14.9?µg/L and 15.3–57.0?µg/L, respectively, which was up to 6 times higher than the permissible limit. Ecological risk assessment for sediments illustrates ‘moderate to considerable ecological risk’, especially because of Cd. Hazard index (HI) calculated to identify potential human health risk by dermal exposure of surface water was <0.1, indicating ‘negligible non-cancer risk’ for all age group of people. However, HI varied from 0.73 to 1.49 for adult and 1.37–2.78 by consumption of fishes indicates children have higher ‘non-cancer risk’ than adult.     

Source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning,Northeast China

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to acquire the source and evaluate the risk posed by heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning, Northeast China. Potential ecological risk index (RI), pollution index (PI) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were applied to evaluate the heavy metal pollution level, and the carcinogenic risk (RI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to estimate the human health risk. The geographic information system maps clearly reveal the hot spots of heavy metal spatial distribution. Principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) classified heavy metals into three groups. The metal Zn and Pb originate from the traffic emission, while Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Sb primarily come from industrial activities. These two pathways were the major source of heavy metals pollution by positive matrix factorization (PMF). The Igeo and PI values of heavy metals were decreased in the following order: Cd?>?Sb?>?Zn?>?Fe?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Sn?>?Mn?>?Ni. The RI index showed the heavy metals were moderate to very high potential ecological risk. The HI values for children and adults presented a decreasing order of Cr?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Cd?>?Zn. The HI also predicted a possibility of non-carcinogenic risk for children living in urban areas in comparison with adults.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soils and vegetables and health risk assessment in the vicinity of three contaminated sites in Guangdong Province,China

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, human activities like industrial and agricultural production, transportation, aggravate heavy metal pollution in soil and continue to endanger vegetables and human health. In this study, three contaminated areas affected by heavy metal pollution in Guangdong Province were investigated in terms of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in soil and vegetables. Further analyses of the contamination status and potential risks to the health of residents consuming these vegetables were conducted. Results showed the following average heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and soil: Shaoguan > Guangzhou > Dongguan, indicating that mining has caused massive soil-heavy metal pollution. The heavy metal concentrations and Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) showed the following trend: leaf-vegetables > fruit-vegetables > root-vegetables, and those of vegetable type were as follows: Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb. The Nemero pollution index (PI) of all research region soils and hazard index (HI) exceeded 1. Hence, more attention should be paid to the potential for adverse health effects caused by the consumption of vegetables produced in these sites . Thus, effective measures are encouraged, with a focus on children due to their vulnerability to these heavy metals.     

Distribution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil surrounding a lead and zinc smelting plant in Zanjan,Iran

One of the problematic issues in soil pollution studies is heavy metal particles which are produced by mines and smelting units and spread through wind action and/or runoff. Pollution and health risk assessment of cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, and nickel in soil around the lead and zinc smelting factory was carried out in Zanjan City, Iran. Contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk were pollution and human health risk assessment metrics in this study. Based on the Iranian soil guideline value, soil samples in the studied areas were contaminated the least by copper and nickel and the most by cadmium. PLI results showed that soils near the production line were heavily or extremely heavily polluted. The results of Cf and Igeo showed that lead and zinc were the most important contaminants. Health risk assessment indicated that lead and cadmium in soil were the main contaminants, which pose both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to human health; carcinogenic risk levels were unacceptably high (above 1 × 10^?4). It can be concluded that mining and smelting activities degrade soil quality in this region and the soil pollution might be extended to farming areas.     

Pollution,sources, and risks of heavy metals in coastal waters of China

Abstract

Comprehensive information on heavy metals in coastal waters at national scale of China is limited. Therefore, this study investigated the distribution, pollution, and ecological-health risks of heavy metals in coastal waters along 18,000?km coastline of China. Total 13 target heavy metals in coastal waters along coastline of China showed drastic spatial variations with average concentrations ranging from .14 (Cd) to 136.26 (Cu) μg/L. Cu was the dominant heavy metal with the maximal concentration of 1485.92?μg/L. Three methods including heavy metal pollution index (HPI), Nemerow index (NI), and contamination degree (CD) were adopted to explore heavy metal pollution. HPI obtained the worst-case evaluation results to illustrate that heavy pollution occurred at over 50% of sampling sites. Anthropogenic sources were the main sources of heavy metals in the coastal waters. Approximately 28.13% and 9.38% of sampling sites illustrated considerable and very high ecological risks, respectively. Metals including Cu, As, and Hg were the main pollution and risk contributors. Heavy metals in coastal waters posed high cancer risks and unacceptable non-cancer risks to both adults and children. Therefore, effective control of heavy metals is necessary for regional sustainability and well-beings of residents in coastal regions of China.     

Arsenic and heavy metals health risk assessment through drinking water consumption in the Peshawar District,Pakistan

This study aimed to assess the drinking water quality and human potential health risk in Peshawar, which is the most populous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Water was randomly collected throughout Peshawar District (urban = 45 samples and rural = 29 samples). These samples were analyzed for heavy metal (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations using the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water revealed the highest pollution index (PI) values—17.80, 11.92, 7.50, and 5.70 for the Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The contaminations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher (p < .05) than their maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization. Heavy metal contaminations in drinking water were evaluated for health risk assessment: the chronic risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk. Results revealed that HQ values were >1 for the Cd and Pb, suggesting that the exposed human beings could be at chronic risk. Therefore, serious measures such as drinking water treatments and contamination controlling policies are needed to avoid the hazardous effects of toxic heavy metals.     

点源污染对胶州湾海水体系中不同形态重金属富集的影响

对胶州湾水体中悬浮颗粒物、柱状沉积物和底栖生物中重金属的污染与富集状况进行了分析与评价.结果表明:大量未处理的废水污水的排放入海与陆源物质向外海的有限扩散直接导致了点污染源对水体及生物体中重金属的富集.悬浮物中重金属的富集已明显受到人为因素的影响;柱状样的人为影响因子表明河口区沉积物的污染状况较其它海区重;胶州湾底栖生物体内重金属的含量与离污染源的远近有关系,底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔对重金属Cd的富集能力大于其它金属.     

Geochemical baseline determination and pollution assessment of heavy metals in urban soils of Karachi,Pakistan

Karachi is one of the most populated urban agglomerations in the world. No categorical study has yet discussed the geochemical baseline concentrations of metals in the urban soil of Karachi. The main objectives of this study were to establish geochemical baseline values and to assess the pollution status of different heavy metals. Geochemical baseline concentrations of heavy metals were estimated using the cumulative frequency distribution (CDF) curves. The estimated baseline concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Fe were 56.23, 12.9, 36.31, 123.03 and 11,776 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The pollution status of heavy metals in urban soils was evaluated using different quantitative indices (enrichment factor–EF, Geo-accumulation Index–I_geo, and pollution index–PI). Enrichments factors of the selected heavy metals determined by using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. The urban soils of Karachi were found to have a moderate to moderately severe enrichment with Pb, whereas Cr and Cu has moderate and Zn has minor enrichment. I_geo results indicated moderate soil contamination by Pb at some of the sampling locations. PI for Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn was found in the range of 0.04–3.42, 0.19–1.55, 0.27–2.45 and 0.32–1.57, respectively. Large variations in PI values of Pb revealed that soil in those areas of the city which are influenced by intensive anthropogenic activities have exceptionally high concentrations of Pb. The findings of this study would contribute to the environmental database of the soil of the region and would also facilitate both at the local and the international scales, in a more accurate global environmental monitoring, which will eventually facilitate the development of management and remediation strategies for heavy metal contaminated urban soil.     

Ecological and human health risk assessment of agricultural soils based on heavy metals in mining areas of Singhbhum copper belt,India

Risk characterization of agricultural soils in the mining areas of Singhbhum copper belt was done by determining the total concentrations of metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and assessing the potential ecological and human health risks. The concentrations were above the average shale values for most of the metals. Principal component analysis showed anthropogenic contributions of Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb, and Cr in the soils. Ecological risk assessment revealed that 50% of the soil samples were at moderate to very high ecological risk. Health risks for adults and children were calculated using hazard quotients (HQs), hazard index (HI), and Cancer risks for the oral, dermal, and inhalation pathways. The HQs for all the metals except As and Co were below 1, which suggested that non-carcinogenic risks due to metal exposure through soils were within the safe limit. However, considering all the metals and pathways, the HI for adults and children was 0.71 and 5.61, respectively, suggesting appreciable risk to local residents. The carcinogenic risks due to As and Cr in the soils were within the acceptable value of 1E–04. For both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, oral ingestion appeared to be the primary pathway followed by dermal and inhalation pathways.     

贵州省典型汞铊矿区周边农田土壤跳虫群落特征

大量的采矿活动导致矿区周边土壤重金属污染, 严重危害土壤生物安全。汞、铊等重金属元素毒性强, 相关污染的土壤生态风险鲜有研究。跳虫作为土壤环境变化指示生物, 能很好地反映土壤质量的健康状况。本研究以贵州省某汞铊矿区周边的农田土壤为研究对象, 按离矿区距离和作物类型设置4个采样区, 每个采样区种植2种作物, 每种作物农田设置3个样方。研究土壤跳虫群落结构和多样性及其影响因子。结果表明, 调查区内跳虫平均密度为12,000 ind./m²; 采样区距离矿区越近, 土壤重金属污染程度越大, 综合污染指数越高, 跳虫种数、密度、多样性和丰富度指数均呈先增加再降低的趋势; 环境因子分析表明重金属显著影响跳虫群落结构: Folsomides americanus、Isotomiella minor和Protaphorura encarpatus数量与汞、铊和砷含量呈负相关。高有机质含量能缓解重金属对土壤跳虫的影响, 但作物类型(玉米与薏仁)对土壤跳虫群落结构的影响无显著差异。本研究结果表明土壤有机质或能反向调节重金属污染对土壤跳虫群落的影响。     

Environmental Monitoring of Heavy Metal Status and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Agricultural Soils of the Jinxi River Area,China

Soil contamination with heavy metals is one of the main environmental concerns in China, mainly owing to rapid industrialization and mining activities in certain areas. The current study aimed at monitoring the levels of heavy metals in soils of the industrial areas along the Jinxi River and surrounding Lake Qingshan. In addition, a health risk assessment for humans in contact with these soils was also conducted. The results revealed that the soils of the studied areas were contaminated with Cr, Cu, As, Se, Cd, Pb, and Zn and that the industrial activities were the main source of soil contamination therein. Furthermore, soils of the sites adjacent to Lin’an city exhibited higher levels of heavy metals than the upstream and Lake Qingshan sites. Most of the studied heavy metals tended to concentrate in the fine soil fractions (PM100, PM10, and PM2.5). Calculation of the hazard index (HI) revealed that humans, especially children, have potential health risks. Moreover, As was found to contribute to more magnitude of cancer risks. Thus, we concluded that the unmanaged development negatively affects the Chinese environment and human health. Furthermore, fine fractions of soil particles should be considered for risk assessment.     

赣江上游沉积物重金属空间分布及污染特征

为了解赣江上游表层沉积物重金属污染特征,采集赣江上游38个样品,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS,Agilent 8800)分析沉积物中重金属含量,结合内梅罗综合污染指数法、地累积指数法、主成分分析及沉积物质量基准等研究赣江上游沉积物中重金属污染程度,分析污染物可能的来源及评价其存在的生态风险。结果表明:赣江上游沉积物中W、Cr、Mn、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb等9种重金属的平均含量分别为12.30、4.40、999.84、9.72、293.81、47.66、2.85、1.34、63.68 mg·kg-1;除Cr和Cu外,其余7种重金属的平均值均超过江西省土壤背景值。内梅罗综合污染评价表明,赣江上游表层沉积物中47.37%的采样点呈严重污染,28.95%采样点污染明显,其中污染程度章水段>桃江段>贡江段;地积累指数法显示,Mn、As、W、Pb呈轻度污染,Cd和Hg呈中度或偏重度污染;主成分分析显示,As、W、Hg、Pb具有相似的污染源,Cr和Mn具有相似的污染源;沉积物质量基准分析表明,对底栖生物可能产生毒性效应的重金属主要是Cd和Hg,主要分布在章水段和桃江段。     

Heavy metal pollution assessment in a mangrove ecosystem scheduled as a community reserve

Heavy metal pollution is one of most toxic pollutions and cause serious threat to organisms as well as the environment. The tremendous increase in industrialization and other anthropogenic activities magnify the rate of heavy metal pollution. The present study reveals the heavy metal pollution assessment in Kadalundi Vallikunnu Community Reserve (KVCR), a scheduled community reserve of Kerala, India. The results from the study indicate that the heavy metal pollution index of KVCR was less because of the mangrove cover in this region. KVCR is endowed with different mangroves and it plays a significant role in controlling the heavy metal pollution and water quality. The higher Importance Value Index and Relative Importance Value Index was shown in the case of Avicennia officinalis, followed by Acanthus ilicifolius and the lowest values of these indices were observed in the case of Sonneratia alba. The less accumulation of heavy metals in the soil sediments was due to the potential of mangrove species for effective absorption of toxic metals from the soil sediments. Mangrove vegetation in the wetlands is potent phytoremediators and can play a significant role in phytoremediation of wetlands. The high BCF value of A. ilicifolius indicates its suitability for heavy metal remediation in wetlands. Eco restoration of heavy metal polluted wetlands using mangroves is a promising and sustainable solution for heavy metal pollution in such ecologically fragile areas.

     

Assessment of potentially toxic heavy metals and health risk in water,sediments, and different fish species of River Kabul,Pakistan

Contamination of freshwater bodies and consequently freshwater fish with toxic heavy metals is a serious environmental issue. The trophic transfer of potentially toxic heavy metals in the human food chains, especially in fish has important implications for human health. The present research study was designed to assess the concentrations of the heavy metals Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in the water, sediments, and different freshwater fish species of River Kabul, Pakistan. The heavy metals were quantified in the samples with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Heavy metal contamination in fish muscles was characterized in terms of metal pollution index and biota-sediments accumulation factor, while human health risk was assessed through calculation of estimated weekly intake. The average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in muscle samples of the analyzed fish species at different sampling sites of the river ranged from 12.3 to 33.0, 33.2 to 109.2, 0.98 to 1.5, and 13.9 to 29.6 mg kg^?1 wet weight, respectively. Based on the current study data, consumption of the analyzed freshwater fish species from River Kabul was generally safe in terms of potential risk from Cd and Pb but the observed Ni accumulation may pose a potential health risk to regular/excessive fish consumers.     

Pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediments from a source water reservoir

Surface sediment samples were collected from a source water reservoir in Zhejiang Province, East of China to investigate pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The BCR sequential extraction method was used to determine the four chemical fractions of heavy metals such as acid soluble, easily reducible, easily oxidizable and residual fractions. The heavy metals pollution and potential ecological risk were evaluated systematically using geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′). The results showed that the sampling sites from the estuaries of tributary flowing through downtowns and heavy industrial parks showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher average concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites. Chemical fractionation showed that Mn existed mainly in acid extractable fraction, Cu and Pb were mainly in reducible fraction, and As existed mainly in residual fraction in the surface sediments despite sampling sites. The sampling sites from the estuary of tributary flowing through downtown showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportions of acid extractable and reducible fractions than the other sampling sites, which would pose a potential toxic risk to aquatic organisms as well as a potential threat to drinking water safety. As, Pb, Ni and Cu were at relatively high potential ecological risk with high I_geo values for some sampling locations. Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′) showed the surface sediments from the tributary estuaries with high population density and rapid industrial development showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher heavy metal pollution levels and potential ecological risk in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Channa punctatus (Bloch) in river Ramganga (U.P.), India

Ganga is the largest riverine system of India with a fragile ecosystem. Its prone to anthropogenic disturbances because of its cultural, economic and environmental values. The contamination of river Ganga by heavy metals (HM) is due to biotic (anthropogenic sources) and abiotic (pesticides, fertilizers) sources that poses a devastating health hazard to human, plant and edible fish life. The chemical analysis with the help of atomic absorption spectrometer performed on its water samples demonstrated the accumulation of heavy metals such as Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn). Moreover, the spectrophotometric analysis indicated clearly the accumulation of heavy metals in order of occurrence (Fe > As > Cd > Zn > Pb) in liver and (Zn > Fe > As > Cd > Pb) in kidney of edible fish Channa punctatus. The present study has be used to sensitively monitor the extent of heavy metals pollution in the biotic aqua life of river Ramganga system and its suggested that the bioaccumulation of heavy metal in Channa punctatus has reached above permissible limits for human consumption, indicating potential health risks. Necessary biological steps should be taken to handle such food pollution and prevent the environmental risk and food chain disruption.     

Heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment in drinking water of Sistan and Baluchistan,Southeastern Iran

Access to safe and clean drinking water is an essential element of healthy life also known as the primary human needs. The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal (HM) concentrations of drinking water. Excess health risk of HM (Cr, Pb, and Cd) intake is related to the drinking water consumption in local population. HMs concentrations were analyzed by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer and were compared with permissible limits regulated by country and World Health Organization (WHO). The hazard quotient (HQ) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) were determined to show the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of HMs, respectively. HQs were found in the order of Pb > Cd > Cr and subsequently HI index was also estimated for all HM in two age groups (children and adults). The comparisons indicate no possibility of non-carcinogenic effects to the local population. The values for ELCR were found in the order of Cr > Cd > Pb. The ELCR index was found above acceptable risk levels for chromium and cadmium in both children and adults groups. Furthermore, intermetal correlation results revealed that heavy metals have common sources resulting from geogenic and anthropogenic activities and these are major sources of water contamination in Sistan and Baluchestan province.     

Health risk assessment on heavy metals in urban street dust of Tianjin based on trapezoidal fuzzy numbers

The aims of this article were to investigate heavy metals concentrations in urban street dust of Tianjin, to examine spatial variations of heavy metals pollution, and to assess their health risk to local populations. Urban street dust samples were collected from 144 typical crossroads in an urban area of Tianjin. Levels of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer analyzer. Given comprehensive consideration of the complexity and uncertainty of health risk assessment, trapezoidal fuzzy number was introduced to assess the health risk of heavy metals in the urban street dust of Tianjin. The results showed that the pollution of heavy metals in the urban street dust of Tianjin was serious. The relatively serious metal pollution tended to be located in the center, north, northeast, and southeast of the study area. The research indicated that heavy metals in street dust had caused non-cancer hazard to children but had not caused non-cancer or cancer hazard to adults. The direct ingestion of dust via hand-mouth contact behaviors was the major exposure pathway for health risk.     

城市地表灰尘中重金属的来源、暴露特征及其环境效应

地表灰尘是城市环境重金属的“源”、“汇”载体,与环境质量和人类健康有着密切关系.分析了城市地表灰尘重金属污染研究的意义,综述了国内外城市地表灰尘重金属地球化学行为研究进展,包括地表灰尘重金属来源、暴露特征及其影响因素分析、环境效应等方面.提出应加强时间序列及小尺度微观研究;地理因素对地表灰尘中重金属暴露特征、环境效应的影响机理研究.