Concerning Human Health Risks of Trace Elements Contamination in Groundwater Sources nearby the Arabian Sea, Malvan Coastal Area, India

Abstract

The current study looked at how heavy metals are distributed in groundwater and how they affect people's health during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons, water samples were collected from hand-dug wells and boreholes in the Malvan coastline and surrounding areas of Sindhudurg, MS, India's bordering the Arabian Sea. A total of 42 samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods for elements such as Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Fluoride (F), and Chromium (Cr). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In the study area sampling location, the seasonal mean concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater samples (3 seasons) for Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and F were 1.39, 0.166, 1.148, 0.046, 0.008, and 0.509 mg/L, respectively. The metals were found in groundwater in the following order: Fe > Mn > F > Zn > Cu > Cr. The total Hazard Index (HI) of the metals in the groundwater samples revealed a high danger for people of all ages. In general, a high HI score (HI > 1.0) indicates negative non-cancer effects, with babies being the most vulnerable. For the studied metals, the cumulative cancer risk in the study areas is extremely low. The calculated health risk index indicates that Cr is high and the cancer risk on three categories such as Child, Adult and Infant is possible. Keywords: Seasonal assessment, Trace Elements, Groundwater contamination, human health risk, Malvan coastal area.