Trace Metal Contamination and Associated Health Effects in the Shivnath River Tributaries

Abstract

Present study focus on manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and aluminium (Al), trace metals contamination assessment in some tributaries of Shivnath River. To assess the cumulative impact of the studied trace metals on Shivnath River water quality, the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) is calculated. Since the Shivnath River is one of the major rivers of the studied area the impact of the studied trace metals present in river water on human health is evaluated by computing human exposure (EXPing), hazardous quotient (HQing), human exposure surface water (HEsw), carcinogenic risk (CRing). The study reveals no severe health effects due to presence of studied trace metals in rivers since the obtained values were less than 1.0, but in future care should be taken to avoid any unfavourable conditions.