Hydrochemical assessment of groundwater quality in the coastal belt of Sindh, Pakistan: Implications for human health

Abstract

The study evaluates the groundwater quality of the Sindh coastal belt, examining pre- and post-monsoon variations across multiple sampling points from Badin to Karachi. A total of 32 groundwater samples were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters, including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), turbidity, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, sulfates, and chlorides. The results reveal significant contamination attributed to industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and direct wastewater disposal into the Arabian Sea. Comparisons with WHO standards highlight elevated levels of dissolved solids and hardness, which pose risks to both human health and ecosystem stability.