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Groundwater nitrate and fluoride profiles, sources and health risk assessment in the coal mining areas of Salt Range, Punjab Pakistan

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Abstract

To assess the loading profiles of groundwater nitrate (NO3−) and fluoride (F−), their spatial distributions, geochemistry and associated health risks were determined for 131 groundwater samples from eastern (ESR), central (CSR) and Trans-Indus Salt Ranges (TSR) in Pakistan. Groundwater NO3− concentrations were 0.2–308 mg/L (mean 59 mg/L) in ESR, 2.7–203 mg/L (mean 73 mg/L) in CSR and 1.1–259 mg/L (mean 69 mg/L) in the TSR. Forty-one %, 57% and 36% of the ESR, CSR and TSR samples, respectively, exceeded the WHO and Pak-NEQs permissible limit of 50 mg/L NO3−. Likewise, groundwater F− concentrations ranged from 0.1–1.8 mg/L (mean 0.6 mg/L), 0.1–2.7 mg/L (mean 0.9 mg/L) and 0.3–2.5 mg/L (mean 1.6 mg/L) mg/L in the ESR, CSR and TSR sites, respectively. In this case, 3%, 17% and 27% of the ESR, CSR and TSR samples, respectively, exceeded the WHO and Pak-NEQs permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L F. Oxidation of coal and coal waste resulted in the release of NO3− to groundwater. By contrast, enrichment of F− in groundwater was due to dissolution and cation exchange processes. Elevated values of the Higher Pollution Index (PI) and Health Risk Index (HRI) reflect a non-acceptable carcinogenic risk for drinking water NO3− and F− which should be addressed on a priority basis to protect human health.

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Acknowledgements

The results reported in this manuscript form part of the lead author’s Ph.D. research. We would like to thank the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan for funding research under its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) program, Department of Environmental Science, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, especially Environmental Hydro Geochemistry Lab and the Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, for their technical and experimental support.

Funding

The research visit of Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter (UK) was funded by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan under its International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, PO, Pakistan

    Noshin Masood & Abida Farooqi

  2. Environment & Sustainability Institute and Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9EZ, UK

    Karen A. Hudson-Edwards

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  1. Noshin Masood
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  2. Karen A. Hudson-Edwards
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Contributions

Noshin Masood (Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University) conducted the research, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Prof. Karen Hudson-Edwards (Professor in Sustainable Mining, Environment and Sustainability Institute and Camborne School of Mines and, University of Exeter) assisted with analytical work and the writing of the manuscript. Dr. Abida Farooqi (Associate Professor in Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University) is the corresponding author and provided technical assistance in developing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Abida Farooqi.

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Masood, N., Hudson-Edwards, K.A. & Farooqi, A. Groundwater nitrate and fluoride profiles, sources and health risk assessment in the coal mining areas of Salt Range, Punjab Pakistan. Environ Geochem Health 44, 715–728 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00987-y

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