Persistence of heavy metals and human health risk assessment in the South Indian industrial area

The present study provided a comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination from soil to groundwater and the associated risk to human health in an industrial area situated in Telangana state, South India. Soils at three depth levels (0, 20, and 80 cm) and groundwater samples at 32 locations have been collected in the area. The samples have been analyzed for trace metals (Mn, B, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cd, and As) to understand the heavy metal contamination. Furthermore, geo-accumulation (Igeo) of heavy metals, contamination factor, pollution index, and human health risks due to prolonged exposure to contaminated water are estimated. The results indicated that soils are moderately contaminated at 18.5, 25.9, 7.4, 14.8, and 7.1% of locations by B, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd, respectively, as per Igeo at 80-cm depth. However, the contamination factor indicated that 14.8% of the locations were contaminated by Mn and Zn and 7.4, 70.3, 66.6, 74, and 3.7% by B, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd, respectively. However, groundwater is only contaminated when levels are less than 3 m below ground level. The results also indicated higher carcinogenetic health risks if groundwater is used for a longer time. HIGHLIGHTS Heavy metal pollution load and associated health risks are assessed for the study area.; Soils are moderately contaminated at 18.5, 25.9, 7.4, 14.8, and 7.1% of locations by B, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Cd, respectively.; Higher carcinogenetic health risks for infants, children, and teens are identified at 28.5, 21.4, and 7.1% of locations.; Groundwater is contaminated when the water table is shallow (<3 m bgl).

Groundwater Evaporation Ponds: A Viable Option for the Management of Shallow Saline Waterlogged Areas

The province of Punjab is the main food basket of India. In recent years, many regions of Punjab are facing acute waterlogging problems and increased secondary salinity, which have negative impacts on food security of the nation. In particular, these problems are more pronounced in the Muktsar district of Punjab. The observed groundwater levels trend between 2005 and 2011 implies that groundwater levels are coming towards the land surface at the rate of 0.5 m/year in Lambi and Malout blocks. In this study, a groundwater flow model was constructed using MODFLOW to understand the groundwater table dynamics and to test the groundwater evaporation ponds to draw down the groundwater levels in the waterlogging areas of Muktsar district. The predicted flow model results indicate that groundwater levels could be depleted at the rate of 0.3 m/year between 2012 and 2018 after the construction of Groundwater Evaporation Ponds (GEP). In addition, the constructed ponds can be used for aquaculture that generates additional income. The proposed GEP method may be a promising tool and suitable for the reduction of waterlogging in any region if there is no proper surface drainage, and also for enhancement of agricultural production that improves the social and economic status of the farming community