Pollution Appraisal, Health Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Reservoirs’ Heavy Metals in an Agricultural Base, Northern Anhui Province, China

The related issues with the heavy metals in the different water bodies have been widespread, causing concern around the world. In this study, the single-factor pollution index, Nemerow composite pollution index, health risk assessment (AHP model), multivariate statistical analysis, including correlation analysis, and principal component analysis were conducted to depict the pollution appraisal, the health risk assessment, and the source apportionment of the reservoirs in Northern Anhui Province, China. The results showed that the mean concentration order was as follows: Mn>Zn>As>Ni>Cr> Cu>Co>Cd. The coefficient of variation of Cr and Mn indicated the high degree of anthropogenic activities, and the remaining heavy metals implied that they were relatively stable. The single factor pollution index and Nemerow’s pollution index consistently showed that only sampling site R06 was slightly polluted, and the remaining 13 sampling points were free-pollution. The average annual health risk value of chemical carcinogens in the human body is much higher than that of chemical non-carcinogens, and children are more likely to be threatened by heavy metals than adults. Under the route of drinking water and skin contact, the maximum annual health risk caused by Cr exceeds the maximum acceptable risk level 1x10 -4 issued by USEPA. The correlation analysis suggested that the correlation coefficients between Mn-Co, Co-Ni, As-Cd, and Cr-Ni revealed a significant positive correlation. When combined with the principal component analysis, the three principal components may be related to the discharge of domestic wastewater, automobile exhaust emissions, and pesticides and fertilizers, respectively.