No abstract

No abstract

The metal contaminated groundwater results in serious health issues and hence this study attempts to address metal contamination and its sources by using integrated techniques including indexed and statistical methods and its related health hazards. Groundwater pH varied from 5.3 to 8.3 indicating acidic to alkaline in nature. Heavy metal evaluation index and degree of contamination reveal that all the groundwater samples fall under low pollution and are appropriate for human consumption. According to the pollution index majority of the samples fall in the insignificant pollution zone. Water quality index reveal that 19% and 2% of the groundwater samples belong to the poor and very poor water quality category and are spatially situated on the central, northern and southern parts of the study region. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis reveal that weathering of aquifer matrix and anthropogenic activities are accountable for the release of heavy metals into groundwater. Furthermore, R-mode and Q-mode cluster analysis revealed two clusters which are linked to mixed sources including weathering and anthropogenic activities. Based on the hazard quotient the order of heavy metal impact is: Co>Pb>Cd>Zn>As>Mn>Cu>Cr>Fe>Ni for both children and adult. The hazard index values varied from 0.06 to 8.16 for children and from 0.02 to 2.14 for adult. In this study, it is discovered that 43% and 26% of groundwater samples pose non-carcinogenic health risk in children and adult, respectively. This study highly recommends treatment of contaminated groundwater before consumption in order to protect and maintain the public health.