Hydrogeochemical Processes Regulating the Groundwater Geochemistry and Human Health Risk of Groundwater in the Rural Areas of the Wei River Basin, China

Most water systems that support ecosystems and feed humans are depleted or stressed. Aquifer characteristics, topography, subsurface activities, climate, and geochemical processes regulate groundwater availability, a reliable source of fresh water. Globally, agriculture, industries, and the domestic sector are the three major sectors that consume vast quantities of freshwater resources. Further anthropogenic activities, such as soil leaching, acid rain, fertilizer, pesticides, mining, and other industrial activities, resulted in the release of organic and inorganic pollutants that affected global water resources. In India, groundwater is used in huge quantities, resulting in groundwater depletion of 1 to 2 m a year. Low-income countries face many issues related to water pollution, and the availability of safe water is minimal. In 2019, deaths due to unsafe sanitation accounted for 2.2% of the total global deaths, amounting to 1.2 million people’s deaths. India recorded 6.6% of deaths due to unsafe sanitation in 2019. India and China accounted for around 90.41% and 60.4% of the groundwater utilization for agricultural purposes, respectively. In 2020, China and India utilized vast quantities of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) for crop growth to enhance crop yield, resulting in the highest nitrate and phosphate concentrations in groundwater. Remediating contaminants from different sources requires knowledge of their concentration, behavior, cycling, and degradation pathways. According to safety guidelines, limiting and optimizing crop organic and inorganic fertilizer, pesticide waste disposal, and empty container disposal can reduce groundwater contamination. The present study summarized groundwater utilization in various sectors, potential sources of groundwater contamination impacts on human health and the environment, preventive measures, and mitigation methods to overcome groundwater pollution.

Section: Hazardous Waste Disposalmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Status, Effects, Prevention, and Remediation of Groundwater Contamination for Sustainable Environment

Ravindiran,

Rajamanickam,

Sivarethinamohan

et al. 2023

“…For many years, due to the lack of scientific guidance, the coal mining sector in China has not taken effective measures to protect groundwater resources during coal mining, which has led to great damage to underground aquifers in many coal mining areas in China [1][2][3][4]. The continuous exploitation of coal mine resources has led to an increasingly severe loss of underground water [5][6][7] and resulted in the occurrence of various coal mine disasters in recent years as well [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on Permeability Evolution Law of Rock Mass under Mining Stress

Zhang,

Ji,

et al. 2024

In order to study the stress–strain–permeability coefficient relationship of overlying strata in a fractured zone after coal mining, taking the Changcun coal mine in the Changzhi basin as an example, the permeability evolution law of coarse sandstone, fine sandstone, siltstone and mudstone during a stress–strain process was analyzed through a triaxial compression permeability test. The generalized model of the rock mass permeability evolution process under mining stress was summarized, and then a coupling model of the stress–water pressure–permeability coefficient of fractured rock was established based on the continuum model of rock mass. The results showed that the maximum permeability coefficient of different coal overburden types was quite different, and the peak strength of the rock mass preceded the maximum permeability coefficient during the rock mass failure process; the permeability coefficient first decreased and then increased, reaching its maximum value after the peak stress, which occurred during the strain-softening stage; the generalized model of rock mass permeability included the compaction stage, elasticity stage, stable fracture stage, unstable fracture stage, macroscopic failure stage and residual strength stage.

“…Health risk refers to the probability of encountering a hazardous substance that can potentially cause illness in humans. The assessment of health risk involves the multiplication of two factors: hazard and exposure [1,2]. The process of determining health risk comprises four main steps: hazard identification; exposure assessment; concentration determination; and using a mathematical model to evaluate the human health risk (HHR) based on exposure and dose-response evaluations [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Health Risks due to Exposure to Water Pollution: A Review

Babuji,

Thirumalaisamy,

Duraisamy

et al. 2023

Water resources are crucial in developing any area as they serve as a major source of potable, agricultural, and industrial water. Water contamination, caused by natural and anthropogenic activities, poses a significant threat to public health globally. This review synthesizes data from various studies published in national and international journals, as well as reports from governmental and non-governmental organizations. Our primary objective is to understand and review previous research on water pollution, contamination types, and the effects of water contamination on public health. Water pollution studies generally involve a scientific understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes that control the movement of contaminants in the underground environment. The nature and severity of health consequences vary based on several factors, including the chemical composition, duration of exposure, and concentration of pollutants. This work highlights the human health risks associated with current research topics such as anthropogenic, geogenic, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals. A section on remedial measures and mitigation strategies is included to emphasize sustainable approaches to water conservation, replenishment, and sustainability. However, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding the distribution, toxic effects, and human health risks associated with different sources of contamination. This review thus establishes links between multiple sources of pollution, their toxicity to human health, and approaches to health risk assessment.