Johnbosco C. Egbueri , Mahamuda Abu , Johnson C. Agbasi
{"title":"An integrated appraisal of the hydrogeochemistry and the potential public health risks of groundwater nitrate and fluoride in eastern Ghana","authors":"Johnbosco C. Egbueri , Mahamuda Abu , Johnson C. Agbasi","doi":"10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101264","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To understand groundwater pollution and its associated health hazards and to ensure the availability of a clean, safe, and sustainable water supply, comprehensive research plays a crucial role. This article presents an integrated investigation of groundwater conditions, hydrogeochemistry, and health implications arising from fluoride (F⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) contamination in eastern Ghana. Analysis of 107 samples revealed variable groundwater suitability for human consumption, as indicated by Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG) values ranging from 0.11 to 1.19. The study highlights significant variations in health hazard risks due to F⁻ and NO₃⁻ exposure. Hazard indices (HIs) for nitrate ingestion range from 0.000 to 16.321, for fluoride ingestion from 0.000 to 17.426, and for the combined ingestion risks from 0.000 to 17.602. Dermal absorption risk for nitrate is minimal, with values between 0.000 and 0.049. Spatially distinct contamination and health risks were mapped using GIS, to pinpoint vulnerable localities in the study region. Hydrochemical investigations, confirmed by clustering and factor analyses, revealed that natural geological processes are the primary drivers of groundwater quality and mineralization, with limited anthropogenic impacts. Further, an artificial neural network model with an impressive R<sup>2</sup> of 0.976 and low statistical errors demonstrated strong potential for accurate prediction of groundwater quality. The holistic study approach significantly advances groundwater research in the region, paving the way for effective resource management strategies by revealing areas of concern, understanding the contamination drivers, and predicting future water quality with high accuracy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37879,"journal":{"name":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Groundwater for Sustainable Development","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352801X24001875","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
To understand groundwater pollution and its associated health hazards and to ensure the availability of a clean, safe, and sustainable water supply, comprehensive research plays a crucial role. This article presents an integrated investigation of groundwater conditions, hydrogeochemistry, and health implications arising from fluoride (F⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) contamination in eastern Ghana. Analysis of 107 samples revealed variable groundwater suitability for human consumption, as indicated by Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG) values ranging from 0.11 to 1.19. The study highlights significant variations in health hazard risks due to F⁻ and NO₃⁻ exposure. Hazard indices (HIs) for nitrate ingestion range from 0.000 to 16.321, for fluoride ingestion from 0.000 to 17.426, and for the combined ingestion risks from 0.000 to 17.602. Dermal absorption risk for nitrate is minimal, with values between 0.000 and 0.049. Spatially distinct contamination and health risks were mapped using GIS, to pinpoint vulnerable localities in the study region. Hydrochemical investigations, confirmed by clustering and factor analyses, revealed that natural geological processes are the primary drivers of groundwater quality and mineralization, with limited anthropogenic impacts. Further, an artificial neural network model with an impressive R2 of 0.976 and low statistical errors demonstrated strong potential for accurate prediction of groundwater quality. The holistic study approach significantly advances groundwater research in the region, paving the way for effective resource management strategies by revealing areas of concern, understanding the contamination drivers, and predicting future water quality with high accuracy.
期刊介绍:
Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.