Pollution risk assessment based on source apportionment in a groundwater resource area,NE China

Pollution risk assessment of a groundwater resource area is instrumental in contributing to groundwater protection. This study considered the evaluation results of source apportionment by combining a principal component analysis (PCA) with a factor analysis (FA) to identify potential risk sources. The vulnerability was evaluated using a DRASTIC model as the main pollution pathway, and groundwater quality as a pollution receptor, in order to validate the risk of pollution in a typical groundwater resource area of northeastern China. Results showed that four principal potential pollution sources were point source pollution such as water-rock interaction, dissolution of iron and manganese bearing minerals due to geological processes, non-point source pollution of nitrogen such as agriculture fertilizers, and organic pollution resulting from domestic and industrial wastewater. A “high” and “relatively high” pollution risk occurred mainly at the northwestern and southeastern edges of the region, respectively, with a widely distributed “moderate” pollution risk over the majority of the study area, and a “relatively low” and “low” pollution risk located mainly in the central of the Limin Groundwater Resources area, which showed that the potential pollution sources, especially due to human activity, have significantly changed the distribution of pollution risk in groundwater resource areas.     

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of coal mining area: A case study in Dingji coal mine,Huainan coalfield,China

Heavy metals enrichment in groundwater poses great ecological risks to human beings. In the present research work, a total of 59 groundwater samples from 12 sampling points in Dingji coal mine, Huainan coalfield, were collected and measured for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Fe by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The human health risk caused by heavy metals through the pathway of drinking water was evaluated and analyzed using the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) evaluation model. It has been found that the carcinogenic risk values were between 1.05 × 10^?5 and 3.5 × 10^?4, all exceeding the maximum acceptable level recommended by the USEPA, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 99.67% of the total carcinogenic risk. The non-carcinogenic health risk values were all lower than the negligible level given by the USEPA, and the contribution of non-carcinogenic health risk was in the order of Cr > Zn > Cu / Pb >Mn > Fe > Cd > Ni. Among them, Cr had the largest contribution, accounting for 36% of the total non-carcinogenic risk value. In this study, the carcinogenic risk constituted 99.99% of the total health risk, indicating that the total health risk essentially consisted of carcinogenic risk. The research results suggest that much more attention should be paid to the health risk caused by Cr in the groundwater.     

沈阳河水、地下水及沉积物中重金属的生态风险评价及来源辨析

对沈阳地区河流水体、沿岸地下水和表层沉积物中重金属进行了调查,并运用污染因子法及潜在生态风险指数法对污染程度进行评价。结果表明:河水中As的浓度为0.49～11.9μg.L-1,沈抚灌渠>蒲河>细河>浑河。Cd的浓度为0.01～0.66μg.L-1,细河>沈抚灌渠>浑河>蒲河。Zn浓度范围为1.0～115μg.L-1,最高浓度出现在沈抚灌渠。Pb、Cu、Cr平均浓度最高是在细河。浑河和蒲河河水中6种重金属的单因子污染指数及内梅罗指数都<1,未受污染;沈抚灌渠水中Zn和Cr的单因子污染指数和内梅罗指数都>1,为轻度污染;细河夏季内梅罗指数>1,为轻度污染。细河周边地区浅层地下水中Cd和Cr的污染较为严重,致使内梅罗指数都>1,甚至>2,污染水平为中等污染。深层地下水和水稻田水的所有污染指数均<1,未受污染。蒲河和浑河沉积物中6种重金属元素属低潜在生态风险。细河沉积物中Cd属较高潜在生态风险;Cu为中等潜在生态风险。污染来源大致分为3类:1)污水排放和固体废弃物;2)施用磷肥或粪肥;3)冶金、电镀和不锈钢产业的排放。     

A HIVE model for regional integrated environmental risk assessment: A case study in China

Regional environmental risk assessment has been a significant means of environmental management and decision-making. To assess the regional integrated environmental risk at a nationwide scale, a new index system named the Hazard, Intensity, Vulnerability, and Effectiveness (HIVE) model was designed and evolved from previous researches. The HIVE model consisted of a relatively complete framework with accessible indexes related to environment and social economy, and it considered different risk sources, pathways, and receptors as well as the influence of the risk control. As an important segment of the assessment process, a simple gridding information diffusion method was also proposed to assess the diffusion effect of risk factors in nationwide rivers. Taking China as a case study, this study calculated the environmental risk value of every sub-unit. Through the clustering function of Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the visual representation of a geographic information system, the study area was divided into nine zones that were visualized on maps according to their different risk levels and risk characteristics. This study also identified the dominant factors of each zone, which could provide the foundation for regional environmental management. Moreover, the results implied some significant correlations between risk system components and the regional social economy in China.     

Non-carcinogenic risk assessment to human health due to intake of fluoride in the groundwater in rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan,Iran: A case study

In this study, a field research regarding groundwater contamination with fluoride and its related health risks to human health was carried out in 39 rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan, Iran, in 2017. The results indicated that fluoride levels in two rural areas exceeded the WHO guideline. A total of 55% and 4.7% of the studied rural areas in Gonabad and Bajestan, respectively, had fluoride levels below the minimum recommended value of WHO for fluoride (0.5 mg/L). In this article, chronic non-cancer risks to three different groups of people, adults, children, and infants, for exposure to the fluoride were assessed. Health risk index values for fluoride contamination for 44% and 90% of children and infants in rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan, respectively, were more than unity (>1), which clearly reveals that these age groups at the studied areas are at the chronic health risk due to the intake of fluoride-containing water. The order of fluoride contribution to non-carcinogenic health risk among the studied age groups was infants > children > adults. Therefore, from a public health viewpoint, it would be prudent and important that risk reduction measures be implemented to diminish the total body burden of fluoride in residents.     

Health risk assessment of nitrates in the groundwater of Beni Amir irrigated perimeter,Tadla plain,Morocco

Abstract

Shallow groundwater contaminated with nitrates may result in human health risks. Groundwater quality in the Beni Amir irrigation perimeter in Tadla plain, Morocco, is influenced by agriculture and farming-related activities. This study was carried out to assess the nitrate contamination of groundwater for drinking purposes by comparing it to Moroccan and WHO guidelines, and by estimating the potential human health effect of nitrates using the model recommended by the USEPA. The results showed that the nitrate content of groundwater fall between 0 and 82.08?mg L^?1 (mean 24.73?mg L^?1), with 38.10% of groundwater samples exceed the Moroccan and WHO limits for drinking. Groundwater nitrates mainly originated from intensive agricultural practices. The health effects of oral exposure to nitrate are higher than those of dermal exposure. For non-carcinogenic risks, 57.14% of samples showed hazard index (HI) values >1, indicating potential risks. The non-carcinogenic risk for infant and female are higher than that for females and males. The results of this study will offer a health risk reference for local residents and can help to propose suitable management ensuring safe drinking water.     

沈阳市城郊表层土壤有机污染评价

城市土壤是保护城市环境的一个重要生态屏障.随着有机污染物的“致癌、致畸、致突变”特性被人们所认知,土壤有机污染也逐渐受到人们的重视.在我国目前缺乏相关环境质量标准的背景下,尝试采用因子分析评价法,对沈阳城郊表层土壤有机污染物进行识别,并对土壤有机污染程度进行定量评价与分级.结果表明,苯并(a)芘、滴滴涕、六氯苯和六六六对土壤污染负荷的贡献率最高,是主要的有机污染因子;利用因子分析评价法,34个城郊表层土壤采样点的有机污染评价综合评分在O-224.62之间,以较轻度污染和中度污染为主,评价结果及分级与实际情况基本相符.在此基础上,分析了各类有机污染物的污染来源,对防治城市土壤污染,进而保障居民的食品安全和饮水安全具有重要意义.     

Human health risk assessment of arsenic in groundwater aquifers of Lahore,Pakistan

The present study was conducted to estimate As concentration in groundwater and resulting human health risk in terms of chronic daily intake, hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) both for oral and dermal exposure to As. Groundwater samples (n = 100) were collected from ten different towns of Lahore District (Pakistan). Arsenic concentration ranged from 2 to 111 µg L^?1 in groundwater samples of the study area, which was significantly greater than the safe limit of As (10 µg L^?1) in drinking water set by the World Health Organization. Health risk assessment of As showed that HQ (0.1–11) for oral exposure and HI (0.1–11) values also exceeded the typical toxic risk index value of 1. 9.75 × E-05–4.59 × E-03 and 5.89 × E-07–2.77 × E-05 for oral and dermal As exposure, respectively. Both CR and cancer index (CIs) values were higher than United States Environmental Protection Agency limit (10^?6), suggesting that people are at high risk of As-induced carcinogenicity from oral and dermal exposure to As in drinking water. It was concluded that As contamination of groundwater causes carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health effects to the people; therefore, urgent management and remedial actions are required to protect people from As poisoning.     

Responses of groundwater vulnerability to groundwater extraction reduction in the Hun River Basin,northeastern China

Intensive groundwater extraction causes many environmental problems globally. Reducing groundwater extraction is a primary method for alleviating these problems. However, this reduction may create new pollution issues because of an increase in groundwater vulnerability. A case study was done using the DRAOTIC evaluation method (an improved DRASTIC method for organic pollutant in aquifer vulnerability; soil (S factor) has been updated by organic matter (O factor) in the method) for the Hun River Basin, northeastern China, where groundwater intensive extraction had caused serious environmental and hydrogeological problems. The assessment results show that moderate vulnerability level is the main vulnerability level in the Hun River Basin; high vulnerability level and low vulnerability level categories occupy a smaller area; while very high and very low vulnerability categories occupy the smallest area. By combining the predicted groundwater level distribution and DRAOTIC model, the responses of groundwater vulnerability to different groundwater extraction reductions could be studied. The results show that groundwater vulnerability levels increased as groundwater extraction was reduced; this is because the rising groundwater levels make it easier for pollution coming from the surface to reach the aquifer. The more the reduction in groundwater extraction, the greater the increase in the area with higher vulnerability levels, and the greater the increase in pollution risk.     

基于GIS的四川盆周北部山区夏玉米农业气象灾害风险评估——以旺苍县为例

气象灾害是制约我国农业发展的主要因素之一,明确夏玉米农业气象灾害风险对于防灾减灾具有重要意义。本研究基于自然灾害风险理论,以四川盆地北部山区的典型区域(旺苍县)1981—2018年气象数据和玉米产量数据为基础,确定影响夏玉米生产的主要致灾因子,并结合孕灾环境敏感性及承灾体脆弱性构建夏玉米综合农业气象灾害风险评估模型,对四川盆地北部山区夏玉米生产过程中的农业气象灾害风险进行评估。结果表明: 研究期间,成熟期高温、花期暴雨、成熟期暴雨、灌浆期连阴雨和孕穗期干旱是影响研究区夏玉米生长发育的主要农业气象灾害。旺苍县夏玉米农业气象灾害综合风险分布大致呈西南-东北走向,高风险和较高风险区分布区域约占旺苍县总面积的二分之一;灾害风险高值区主要位于研究区西南部,基本与致灾因子危险性高值区一致;灾害风险低值区多集中在西部边缘,此区域亦为成熟期高温、成熟期暴雨、花期暴雨气象灾害的低风险区。     

中国旱灾风险定量评估

全球变暖及经济社会快速发展导致区域及全球性灾害风险增大,中国更是几乎每年都会遭受旱灾,因此,开展旱灾风险评估及影响因素研究对于区域经济社会可持续发展和灾害风险管理具有重要意义。以前的旱灾风险评估在评估方法以及评估指标选取方面都具有很强的主观性,导致风险评估结果具有强烈的不确定性,这在划定我国的高旱灾风险区域时可能会造成问题。基于旱灾风险的定义,合理假设"历史上旱灾损失高的地区遭受高旱灾损失的概率越大",引入历史旱灾损失资料对旱灾风险进行校正,构建了新的旱灾风险评估模型,揭示了中国旱灾风险的区域分异规律,并量化了各个影响因子的贡献水平。分析结果表明,我国存在5个显著的旱灾高风险区：东北地区、华北地区、西北地区东部、西南地区东部以及西北地区西部的小部分区域。影响因子分析进一步表明,高暴露度和高脆弱性是导致地区出现高旱灾风险的主要原因。     

Regional ecological risk assessment using a relative risk model: A case study of the Darwin Harbour,Darwin, Australia

There are many proposed and ongoing commercial, industrial, and residential developments within the Darwin Harbour catchment in Northern Australia, to accommodate the projected population growth over the next 20 years. Hence, it is necessary to ensure the balance between these developments and ecosystem conservation. We evaluated ecological risk for the Darwin Harbour using a relative risk model (RRM). The catchment was divided into 22 risk regions based on small catchment boundaries and their homogeneity. Through the RRM, we ranked and summed the stressors and habitats within regions. The interaction between stressors and habitats were modeled through exposure and effect filters. The ecological assessment endpoints were maintenance of the mangrove health and the maintenance of water quality. The risk regions—Myrmidon Creek, Blackmore River, Bleesers Creek, and Elizabeth River—showed the highest total relative risk for ecological assets. These risk regions had a high percentage cover of industrial, commercial, and residential areas; diffuse entry points; and climate change effects. Creek A, Sandy Creek, West Arm, and Pioneer Creek were the risk regions with lowest total relative risk scores. The RRM is a robust application that is suitable for a large geographic area where multiple stressors are of concern.     

Marsh wetland degradation risk assessment and change analysis: A case study in the Zoige Plateau,China

Wetlands play an important role in regional development and environmental protection. Under the impact of natural and artificial factors, the plateau wetlands have degenerated and even disappeared, resulting in serious problems for society and the ecological environment. It is necessary to establish a reasonable risk assessment method to evaluate the risk of wetland degradation, and then to analyze changes in the range and features of risk. For this work, the Zogie Plateau wetland was selected as the study area. For this site, a wetland degradation risk assessment method was established based on the conceptual model of Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). The method included nine indicators used to analyze the wetland hazard index, wetland vulnerability index, and wetland degradation risk synthetically. From the spatial-temporal pattern, the wetland degradation risk was analyzed using data from 2000 to 2014. The calculated results revealed the following: (1) from 2000 to 2014, the wetland hazard index (WHI) showed a trend of increase, the value of which increased from 0.29 to 0.42, with a growth rate of 44.83%. Similarly, the wetland vulnerability index (WVI) significantly increased from 0.30 to 0.54, with a growth rate of 80%. Over the same time, the total wetland area decreased from 3910.25 km² to 2777.38 km², a reduction of 28.97%. (2) Using the equidistant method, the risk value was divided into three risk grades. The wetland degradation risk in the whole region is increasing, and the risk rank has changed from the low risk zone (0.092) to the medium risk zone (0.25). The degradation risk becomes greater with distance from the center to fringe areas.     

基于GIS的秋季连阴雨对农业生产影响的风险评估——以四川省盆地区为例

为探索秋季连阴雨对四川省盆地区农业生产的影响,利用盆地区102个气象台站1961—2014年逐日降水、日照时数、水文地形、作物种植面积等资料,从气象灾害要素、区域环境条件和承灾体特征几个角度构建灾害风险评估模型,进而获得能综合体现风险程度的评估指数,并以此为分区指标将四川省盆地区划分为5个风险区域.结果表明: 四川省盆地区秋季连阴雨风险最高的区域位于西南部的平坝和坡台地区、南部的浅丘地区、东北部的丘陵地区,以及嘉陵江和渠江的沿江地区,这些区域需要加强秋季连阴雨天气及其影响的预测和防御;盆周山区因地势起伏较大,耕地面积较少,连阴雨危害不重,属于低风险区;盆地其余地区大部介于较低风险与较高风险之间.     

城市水资源生态足迹核算模型及应用——以沈阳市为例

水资源生态足迹可以直接反映区域人类社会经济活动对水资源的压力.本研究在现有的生态足迹模型基础上,充分考虑城市自然生态系统对水资源的需求,建立了包括居民日常生活用水、生产运营用水、公共服务用水和生态需水4类帐户的城市水资源生态足迹核算模型,并结合沈阳市实际情况,确定了模型中的相关参数,对沈阳市水资源生态足迹和生态承载力进行分析.结果表明:2000-2009年,沈阳市人均水资源生态足迹总体呈下降态势,但各年度均为水生态赤字;2005年较2000年水资源生态足迹人均下降0.31 hm2,2006、2007年有小幅回升,2008、2009年趋于平稳,说明沈阳市水资源可持续利用状况有一定改善,但仍处于不可持续状态.     

Human health risk assessment and sources analysis of nitrate in shallow groundwater of the Liujiang basin,China

High levels of nitrates in groundwater pose a risk to human health. Hence, groundwater-human health risk assessment and sources analysis are essential. The article aims to assess risk level and identify sources of nitrate in shallow groundwater of the Liujiang basin by using a human health risk assessment (HHRA) model, Factor analysis (FA) and GIS spatial analysis. The results indicated that the most serious pollution was distributed in southern region of the basin; about 60% of the samples exceeded the recommended limit of nitrate as per the World Health Organization limit. Moreover, ingants' health risk were greater than those of adults and children, and about 56% of the groundwater samples will put the infants at risk of health. FA was used to identify various underlying natural and anthropogenic processes that created these distinct risk levels. The FA results can be categorized by two major factors: (1) Organic fertilizers and sewage discharge contamination in central region. (2) Blocking effect of granite and redox conditions in southern parts. This study demonstrates that the great variation of nitrate risk levels in the basin should be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic processes.     

沈阳某冶炼厂废弃厂区的人类健康风险评价

以沈阳某冶炼厂废弃厂区重金属污染监测为依据,采用美国环保局最新的人类健康风险评价标准方法对沈阳某冶炼厂废弃地块污染土壤进行了评价,并且假设未来该土地利用类型为工业用地(Ⅰ)或休闲用地(Ⅱ).评价结果显示:工业用地(Ⅰ)和休闲用地(Ⅱ)的累积非致癌风险指数分别为2.65×10-2和3.67×10-2;工业用地(Ⅰ)和休闲用地(Ⅱ)由呼吸摄入Cd造成的潜在致癌风险指数分别为4.48×10-9和7.30×10-10,不会对在该地区工作和休闲的人们造成身体健康上的伤害;无论是工业用地假设还是休闲用地假设,由无机铜造成的人类健康风险在整个风险中所占的比例最大;由美国环保局的人类健康风险评价方法反推得出的冶炼厂地块未来为工业用地的土壤修复目标值均小于我国工业企业土壤环境质量风险评价基准值.     

Hydrogeochemical evolution and risk assessment of human health in a riverbank filtration site,northeastern China

Intensive agriculture and industrial activities have resulted in contamination in rivers and groundwater quality, which threatens human health. In this study, we used comprehensive physiochemical indicators to assess the quality of groundwater used for drinking and irrigation in addition to the potential risks to local residents in a riverbank filtration site. Human health risks through drinking water intake and dermal contact were also estimated. Moreover, we analyzed the spatial distribution regularities of health risk values in a riverbank filtration site. The assessment results revealed that NH₄–N, NO₂–N, F^?, Mn, and As are main contaminants affecting groundwater quality and that 62% of the total samples is suitable for a variety of purposes. All groundwater in the study area is suitable for irrigation based on the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Na percentage (%Na), and U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USSL) and Wilcox diagrams. The health risk assessment suggests that residents in the study area are at high health risk, and women and children face higher risk than men in both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The spatial distribution regularities of health risk values suggest that the human health risk value of each groundwater sample is different in the study area and has certain regularity. Therefore, effective measurements must be taken to address the groundwater contamination and to reduce the human health risks.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and ecological risk in marine sediments (A case study: Persian Gulf)

This study was made to determine the pollution status and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sediment of Persian Gulf. Surface sediments were collected seasonally by Peterson grab, and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). The range concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 10,800–22,400 for Fe, 5.32–10.12 for Pb, 24.63–42.38 for Ni, 22.52–39.46 for Cu, and 31.64–47.20 for Cr. The concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cr have been found lower than the Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines and probable effect level values suggesting that heavy metal contents in sediments from area of study would not be expected to cause adverse biological effects on the biota. The obtained enrichment factor values for various metals were between minimal enrichment (Pb = 0.5) and extremely enrichment (Cu = 3.11). The values of I_geo for Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cr were characterized under no pollution (0). The highest value of potential ecological risk index (RI) (8.36) was observed at St. 4 while the lowest value (5.25) was detected at station 6. Based on potential ecological RI, the Persian Gulf had low ecological risk.     

Human health risk assessment of trace elements in shallow groundwater of the Linhuan coal-mining district,Northern Anhui Province,China

Enrichment of trace elements in groundwater poses considerable risks to human health. The concentrations of seven trace elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in 34 samples of shallow groundwater from the study area were estimated. We assessed the concentrations of the trace elements and health risks with statistical analysis and the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) model. The results showed that the mean concentrations of trace elements decreased as follows: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb. Apart from Mn at one sampling point, the concentrations of all trace elements were below the guideline values of the World Health Organization for drinking water. Correlation and cluster analysis indicated that the trace elements fell into groups, with Ni and Cu in one group, and Mn, Zn, and Cd in another, which suggested that the trace elements grouped together had similar sources. The total non-carcinogenic risk values ranged from 8.52 × 10^?4 to 1.27 × 10^?1. The total carcinogenic risk caused by Cr and Cd averaged 1.62 × 10^?6, which exceeded the acceptable level of 1 × 10^?6 recommended by the USEPA. The carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 75.93% of R_total.