Geospatial monitoring and human health risk assessment of pharmaceutical residues in groundwater and surface water in Kampala and Mbarara Districts, Uganda.
Idris O Sanusi, Godwin O Olutona, Ibrahim G Wawata, Hope Onohuean, Adeleke A Adepoju
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Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence, concentration and human health risks of five pharmaceutical residues-metronidazole, sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, carbamazepine, and caffeine-in groundwater and surface water samples from Kampala and Mbarara districts of Uganda. The present study also employed techniques of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS); thereby, emphasizing the importance of thematic mapping, land use classification, and spatial buffering to evaluate pharmaceutical contaminants in an environmental setting. The risk quotient (RQ) approach was also employed to assess the risk of exposure to the pharmaceutical contaminants. Caffeine was found with the highest average concentration in groundwater (53.515 µg/L), whereas carbamazepine had the highest average concentration in surface water (48.635 µg/L) during the dry season. Ciprofloxacin consistently recorded the lowest average concentrations in both groundwater and surface water across all seasons. Overall, the data revealed high concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in surface water compared to groundwater during both seasons, except for caffeine which was not detected in surface water across the seasons. Notable seasonal changes were also observed in caffeine and metronidazole concentrations, indicating the role of human activities and environmental factors in influencing contamination patterns during specific seasons. The factor analysis revealed that consumption rate of pharmaceuticals and anthropogenic activities are the main factors responsible for the contamination of groundwater and surface water. Moreover, results revealed that the risk of adverse human health effects for carbamazepine and metronidazole during both seasons were high (RQ > 1), thereby highlighting the prioritization of frequent monitoring by the environmental protection agencies. Given that the combined risk of exposure for all the pharmaceuticals exceeded one, adopting stringent pharmaceutical disposal and control measures are essential for mitigating potential human health risks associated with their exposure. Further investigation into optimal and effective pharmaceutical remediation strategies for both groundwater and surface water are highly recommended.
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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