Integrated approach to assess contaminant sources and human health risks using hydrochemical, chemometric and geospatial techniques for the water resources of Saraikela-Kharsawan district, Jharkhand, India.
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Globally, there is a lot of concern about the quality of freshwater resources found in surface and subsurface water systems. The rapid growth of urban areas, industrial and agricultural sectors and over exploitation of groundwater resources in India put the freshwater water resources at a critical place. Saraikela-Kharsawan, a part of one of the largest industrial clusters of India, has been explored in the present study in terms of hydrochemical characteristics with the implications of major ions chemistry, contaminants source apportionment, geochemical evolution and non-cancer risk assessment. A total of 120 water samples were collected and analysed for the selected physicochemical parameters including electrical conductivity, pH, total hardness, total dissolved solid, major ions (HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-, Cl-, F-, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+ and K+), and heavy metals following the American Public Health Association (APHA) specified methods. The geochemical evaluation deciphered that weathering of silicate and carbonate minerals along with ion exchange mechanisms and anthropogenic activities together governed the water chemistry of the area. The identified mineral phases of fluorite and carbonates like calcite, dolomite and aragonite symbolized precipitation tendency, while halite showed under-saturation status. The geospatial technique demonstrated zoning of non-hazardous to more hazardous spots based on the hazard index (HI) values in context to adult and child populations. The central and southern parts of the area have been found to be more susceptible to non-cancer human health risks due to increased levels of F- and NO3- in the studied water, attributed to geogenic and anthropogenic processes. Hazard index values of the studied groundwater indicated that adult population to be more susceptible to health risks. Higher levels of Mn, As and Co metals raised the HI values of the studied waters contributing non-cancer risks to the human community in the area.