Abstract

Groundwater quality was investigated for fluoride and nitrate contamination in the mica mining areas of Jharkhand with special emphasis on seasonal fluctuation, source apportionment and human health risk assessment. Samples were collected from thirty-seven locations on a seasonal basis. The results indicated 31% and 32% samples of groundwater to exceed the Indian drinking water quality standards for F^– and NO₃^–, respectively. Marked seasonal variation was observed in the concentration of NO₃^– with highest levels in monsoon season; however, the seasonal fluctuation was insignificant for F^–. The NO₃^– contamination can be attributed to agricultural activities while F^– can be related to geogenic sources. For the evaluation of non-carcinogenic risk, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Indices (HI) were calculated as per United States Environmental Protection Agency methodology. The results suggested the child population to be most vulnerable to health risks due to ingestion of F^– and NO₃^–. The HI values for men (0.34–18.4), women (0.29–15.8) and children (0.55–29.3) suggested considerable health risk related to F^– and NO₃^– to all the population groups. As high as 95% of the groundwater samples were likely to cause non cancer health effects in the child populace advocating upgraded water management plan for the residents.

摘要

对贾坎德邦云母矿区地下水水质进行了氟化物和硝酸盐污染调查，重点关注季节性波动、来源分配和人类健康风险评估。按季节从 37 个地点收集样品。结果表明，分别有 31% 和 32% 的地下水样本超过了印度饮用水中 F ^-和 NO ₃ ^{- 的}质量标准。NO ₃浓度有明显的季节性变化^——季风季节浓度最高；然而，F ^-的季节性波动并不显着。NO ₃ ^–污染可归因于农业活动，而 F^–可能与地质来源有关。为了评估非致癌风险，按照美国环境保护署的方法计算了危害商数 (HQ) 和危害指数 (HI)。结果表明，由于摄入 F ^-和 NO ₃ ^-，儿童群体最容易受到健康风险的影响。男性儿童（0.55-29.3）的HI值（0.34-18.4），女性（0.29-15.8），并建议相关到F相当大的健康风险^-和NO ₃ ^-所有人群。高达 95% 的地下水样本可能对倡导居民升级水管理计划的儿童人群造成非癌症健康影响。