Meta-Evaluation of Water Quality Indices. Application into Groundwater Resources

Self Cite

This study presents an overview about the arsenic (As) contamination and its sources in two European countries. Arsenic is a highly toxic element in its inorganic form and it is carcinogenic to human seven in low concentrations. The occurrence of As in surface water, stream and marine waters, groundwater, bottled water, sediment, soil, mines, and seafood, its environmental origin, and its impacts on human health are discussed. The classes of Geoaccumulation Index for As in Greece ranges from practically uncontaminated to extremely contaminated, and in Cyprus varies between practically uncontaminated and heavily contaminated. In many cases, the As contamination reaches very high concentrations and the impacts may be crucial for the human health and ecosystems. Physicochemical properties, regional climate and geological setting are controlling the occurrence and transport of As. In Greece and Cyprus, the geology, lithology, and ore-deposits are the most important factors for the variation of As contents in water, soil, and sediment. The dominant As species are also determined by the location and the redox conditions. The findings of this paper may be useful for scientists and stakeholders monitoring the studied areas and applying measures for protection of the human and terrestrial ecological receptors (plants, avian, mammals).

Section: Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

The Status of Arsenic Pollution in the Greek and Cyprus Environment: An Overview

Golfínopoulos

Varnavas

Alexakis

2021

Self Cite

“…The high HPI values that were attributed to Fe, Cu, and Pb resulted from mining activities [23]. Another study reported no heavy metal pollution of groundwaters in the central part of Romania, although the guideline value for Cd was slightly exceeded, due to the industrial activities developed in the nearby proximity of the groundwater sources [70]. In several other studies, HPI was also successfully used for the assessment of drinking water contamination with heavy metals [71][72][73].…”

Section: Water Quality Indicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality and Health Risk Assessment Associated with Water Consumption—A Case Study on Karstic Springs

Moldovan

Hoaghia

Kovács

et al. 2020

In rural areas without centralized water supply systems, inhabitants often use groundwater of unknown quality as drinking water, without understanding the possible negative consequences on their health. Karstic spring waters from Dobrogea region in Romania were assessed for their potential to be used as drinking water source, according to their quality and seasonal variation. The physico-chemical parameters of waters were compared with the guideline values for drinking water established by the World Health Organization and the Directive 98/83/EC. The nitrate and Cr concentrations exceeded the guideline value in the springs from Southern Dobrogea, but met the quality criteria in those from Northern Dobrogea, thus, to be used as drinking water, the karstic springs located in Southern Dobrogea require treatment for nitrates removal. Heavy metals pollution indices showed low to medium cumulative heavy metal pollution in all springs, while the human health risk assessment by oral exposure indicated possible noncarcinogenic risks of nitrates, both for adults and children in springs from South Dobrogea. A rigorous monitoring of the water quality before human consumption is recommended for all four studied water sources.

“…The Changjiang River flowing through the TGR is the main source of agricultural irrigation [84,85]. The acceleration of chemical weathering can cause solute changes in water, which is possible to affect the soil quality of farmland [50,81,86]. In this study, the index of SAR, Na% and RSC, which reflect the sodium hazard of irrigation water to the soil, was used to show the impact of accelerated weathering on water salinity and alkalinity.…”

Section: Potential Risks To Water Quality From Chemical Weatheringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major Elements in the Upstream of Three Gorges Reservoir: An Investigation of Chemical Weathering and Water Quality during Flood Events

Wang

Han

et al. 2021

Rivers transport terrestrial matter into the ocean, constituting a fundamental channel between inland and oceanic ecosystem and affect global climate change. To reveal chemical weathering processes and environmental health risks during flood periods, water samples were collected in the upper reaches of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in 2020. HCO3− and Ca2+ were the most abundant anions and cations of the river water, respectively. The range of HCO3− concentration was between 1.81 and 3.02 mmol/L, while the mean content of Ca2+ was 1.03 mmol/L. The results of the Piper diagram and element ratios revealed that the river solutes were mainly contributed by carbonate weathering and gypsum-rich evaporite dissolution. A mass balance model indicated that the contribution order of sources to cations in the main channel (Yibin-Luzhou) was evaporites > carbonates > atmospheric input > silicates. The order in the Chongqing—Three Gorges Dam was carbonates > atmospheric input > evaporites > silicates. These results showed a lithologic control on hydrochemical characteristics. Most sampling sites were suitable for agricultural irrigation according to the water quality assessment. However, indexes sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and soluble sodium percentage (Na%) were higher than 1.0 in Yibin-Luzhou and 30% in Yibin–Chongqing, respectively, suggesting a potential sodium hazard. In addition, except Tuojiang River and Shennong River, the risk of sodium hazard in tributaries was relatively low. High Na+ concentration in irrigation water can damage soil structure and function and ultimately affect agricultural production. Water quality in the upstream of a Piper diagram should attract enough attention.