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Evolution Mechanism of Arsenic Enrichment in Groundwater and Associated Health Risks in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

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  • Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch

    (Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China)

  • Wenjing Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China)

  • Dayi Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China)

  • Baig Abdullah Al Shoumik

    (Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh)

  • Javed Iqbal

    (School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Shuxin Li

    (Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China)

  • Juanfen Chai

    (Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China)

  • Muhammad Ansar Farooq

    (Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Anand Parkash

    (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Chang’an West Street 620, Xi’an 710119, China)

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater is a worldwide concern for drinking water safety. Environmental changes and anthropogenic activities are making groundwater vulnerable in Pakistan, especially in Southern Punjab. This study explores the distribution, hydrogeochemical behavior, and pathways of As enrichment in groundwater and discusses the corresponding evolution mechanism, mobilization capability, and health risks. In total, 510 groundwater samples were collected from three tehsils in the Punjab province of Pakistan to analyze As and other physiochemical parameters. Arsenic concentration averaged 14.0 μg/L in Vehari, 11.0 μg/L in Burewala, and 13.0 μg/L in Mailsi. Piper-plots indicated the dominance of Na + , SO 4 2− , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ ions in the groundwater and the geochemical modeling showed negative saturation indices with calcium carbonate and salt minerals, including aragonite (CaCO 3 ), calcite (CaCO 3 ), dolomite (CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 ), and halite (NaCl). The dissolution process hinted at their potential roles in As mobilization in groundwater. These results were further validated with an inverse model of the dissolution of calcium-bearing mineral, and the exchange of cations between Ca 2+ and Na + in the studied area. Risk assessment suggested potential carcinogenic risks (CR > 10 −4 ) for both children and adults, whereas children had a significant non-carcinogenic risk hazard quotient (HQ > 1). Accordingly, children had higher overall health risks than adults. Groundwater in Vehari and Mailsi was at higher risk than in Burewala. Our findings provide important and baseline information for groundwater As assessment at a provincial level, which is essential for initiating As health risk reduction. The current study also recommends efficient management strategies for As-contaminated groundwater.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch & Wenjing Zhang & Dayi Zhang & Baig Abdullah Al Shoumik & Javed Iqbal & Shuxin Li & Juanfen Chai & Muhammad Ansar Farooq & Anand Parkash, 2022. "Evolution Mechanism of Arsenic Enrichment in Groundwater and Associated Health Risks in Southern Punjab, Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13325-:d:943482
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wenjing Zhang & Yifan Zhu & Ruiting Gu & Zhentian Liang & Wenyan Xu & Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch, 2022. "Health Risk Assessment during In Situ Remediation of Cr(VI)-Contaminated Groundwater by Permeable Reactive Barriers: A Field-Scale Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Xuelian Xia & Yanguo Teng & Yuanzheng Zhai, 2022. "Biogeochemistry of Iron Enrichment in Groundwater: An Indicator of Environmental Pollution and Its Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Muhammad Bilal Shakoor & Nabeel Khan Niazi & Irshad Bibi & Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman & Ravi Naidu & Zhaomin Dong & Muhammad Shahid & Muhammad Arshad, 2015. "Unraveling Health Risk and Speciation of Arsenic from Groundwater in Rural Areas of Punjab, Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Yuanzheng Zhai & Fuxin Zheng & Dongfan Li & Xinyi Cao & Yanguo Teng, 2022. "Distribution, Genesis, and Human Health Risks of Groundwater Heavy Metals Impacted by the Typical Setting of Songnen Plain of NE China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.
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