Evaluation of groundwater contamination in Chandigarh: Source identification and health risk assessment

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 255; no. Pt 1; p. 113062
• Main Authors: Ravindra, Khaiwal, Thind, Parteek Singh, Mor, Sahil, Singh, Tanbir, Mor, Suman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Agriculture; Child; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geospatial analysis; Groundwater; Groundwater - chemistry; Humans; India; Industrial Waste - analysis; Nitrate; Nitrates - analysis; Physicochemical characteristics; Principal component analysis; Risk Assessment; Solid Waste - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Quality - standards; India; Nitrate; Geospatial analysis; Groundwater; Physicochemical characteristics; Principal component analysis
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113062

The major objective of the current study is to estimate the groundwater quality and identify the likely sources of contamination in Chandigarh, India. Total 80 groundwater samples were collected from different locations and at various depths. Further, physcio-chemical analysis was done to estimate pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), Na+, K+, Cl−, SO42−, PO43− and NO3−. The groundwater samples collected from shallow water sources contain higher concentration of total dissolved salts. EC, TA, Cl−, TH, Na+, and K+ were found relatively higher in the shallow aquifer (<150 ft). Based on the location of pollution sources at the surface and consecutive geo-statistical distribution of physicochemical characteristics, this study suggests that non-scientific disposal of municipal solid waste, dumping of industrial waste and agricultural activities, in the nearby areas lead to the deterioration of groundwater of shallow aquifer. These observations were also confirmed using various water quality indices and outcomes of multivariate modeling, including principal component analysis. Health risk assessment for nitrates indicated that 29 groundwater samples pose non-carcinogenic health risk for children due to dermal and oral exposure. Hence, there is a need to establish a system for regularly assessing the groundwater quality to minimize public health risks. [Display omitted] •Distribution of physico-chemical content of Chandigarh's groundwater.•Shallow aquifer shows higher contamination as compared to deeper aquifer.•Chandigarh's groundwater could cause non-carcinogenic health impacts.•WQI also indicated unsuitability of Chandigarh's groundwater for drinking.•Routine monitoring of Chandigarh's groundwater is recommended. Suitability of Chandigarh's groundwater has been assessed for domestic and irrigation purposes on the basis of its physciochemical characteristics, which could assist in framing efficient water management policies.