Spatial estimation of groundwater quality, hydrogeochemical investigation, and health impacts of shallow groundwater in Kabul city, Afghanistan

Abstract

The management of groundwater in densely populated areas with no centralized water treatment is critical for the prevention of diseases and maintaining sanitation. Here, we determine the bacteriological and chemical characteristics of groundwater in Kabul city, a resource that 4.1 million individuals rely on. Groundwater samples were analyzed from 41 newly established piezometric wells across Kabul, and data were compared with the last detailed study, undertaken in 2007, to understand contamination trends in an area that has undergone significant development and social changes. Piper diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, correlation analysis, and bivariate plots examine the hydrogeochemical and natural occurring processes of groundwater. The average concentration of cations followed the order Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+, and anions HCO3− > NO3− > Cl− > SO42− > F with Gibbs diagrams indicating mainly rock-weathering influence groundwater chemistry. An increase in nitrate (NO3−) and E. coli indicates anthropogenic activities impacting the shallow groundwater quality, with significantly elevated nitrate (over 50 mg/L) and E. coli (up to 250 CFU/100 mL). The increasing presence of E. coli and NO3− in the shallow groundwater of Kabul city in turn suggests problematic links to the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Additionally, the water quality index (WQI) was used to assess groundwater quality, and rank its suitability for drinking purposes. The WQI analysis showed that less than 35% of shallow groundwater samples had good water quality. The findings of this study are crucial for the development and sustainable management of groundwater in the city. In short term, we propose interventions such as point-of-use (POU) water purification which may offer temporary respite for waterborne disease prevention. Kabul city requires immediate attention to developing sustainable groundwater management policies, expansion of the water supply network, groundwater quality monitoring, and wastewater management.

Assessing the Environmental Impact of Heavy Metal Contamination in Water, Sediments, and Aquatic Vegetation of River Yamuna in Delhi

“…The pH value in the surface water of Yamuna River was alkaline in all the samples, ranging from 7.28 to 8.2,5 with a mean value of 7.8. Generally, fluctuation in pH value at different sampling sites was attributed to factor like the removal of CO 2 by photosynthesis through bicarbonate degradation (8) . Variation in EC and TDS were observed minimum of 825 µmho cm -1 and 544 mgL -1 at Palla village (S1) and a maximum of 1890 µmhocm -1 and 1134 mgL -1 at DND flyover (S8), respectively.…”

“…The value of phosphate (PO 4 ) varied between 0.11 to 1.46 mg L -1 . The higher level of phosphate in the water body could cause excess growth of phytoplankton, and unwanted biological changes with turbid water (8) . The study reveals that the concentration of dissolved ions rose as one moved away from the Palla village entry point.…”

“…The policymakers can take the help of WQI in the proper implementation of the management plan of any water body (5) . Several studies have evaluated the water quality index (WQI) as well as heavy metals in water, sediments, and macrophytic plants of various rivers in terms of WQI (3,(6)(7)(8)(9) .…”

Assessment of Groundwater Quality through Hydrochemistry Using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Water Quality Index (WQI) in Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey

“…Afterward, other WQIs were created, such as the Oregon WQI [30], the Canadian WQI [31], the National Sanitation Foundation WQI [32], and the Weighted Arithmetic WQI Method (WAWQI) [33]. Combining the WQI with the Geographical Information System (GIS) to illustrate spatial variation in water quality and identify vulnerable sites assists in decision-making for sustainable groundwater management [34]. To demonstrate that groundwater is suitable for drinking, a WQI is utilized [34][35][36][37][38].…”

“…Combining the WQI with the Geographical Information System (GIS) to illustrate spatial variation in water quality and identify vulnerable sites assists in decision-making for sustainable groundwater management [34]. To demonstrate that groundwater is suitable for drinking, a WQI is utilized [34][35][36][37][38].…”