Hydrogeochemical and health risk assessment of groundwater quality in calcareous zones using a novel multimodal statistical approach

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

Abstract

Groundwater quality in calcareous agricultural soil zone faces significant challenges due to contamination from multiple sources, including emerging contaminants and inadequate management practices. Effective management in these regions is hindered by limited information on hydrogeochemical characteristics and associated health risks. This study evaluates the hydrogeochemical profiling and health risks associated with groundwater in two agricultural blocks, Motipur (Site 1) and Kanti (Site 2), within calcareous zone. At Site 1, 60% of samples were categorized as very hard water (> 300 mg L−1), while most samples from Site 2 were classified as hard water. The dominant hydrogeochemical facies in both sites were Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl−–SO42− and Ca2+–Mg2+–HCO3− types. Geochemical modelling using Visual MINTEQ indicated oversaturation with respect to calcite, dolomite, and apatite. Iron concentrations exceeded WHO permissible limits at both sites [Site 1 (0.81 mg L−1) > Site 2 (0.63 mg L−1)], and Site 1 showed higher average chromium concentrations (> 0.05 mg L−1), with 44% of samples exceeding the permissible limit. The WQI was higher in Site 1 (102.62 ± 6.42) than in Site 2 (69.98 ± 2.63), indicating unsuitability for domestic use at Site 1. Carcinogenic risk assessment revealed high potential risk at both sites (Site 1 > Site 2). Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) depicted the spatial distribution of major ions and heavy metals, while Sobol sensitivity analysis identified Cr, Cu, and exposure duration as key factors influencing health risks. The findings emphasize the need for groundwater treatment and protective measures against both natural and anthropogenic contamination sources.

DOI

10.1007/s10653-025-02854-6

Publication Date

12-1-2025

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