Open AccessWater quality and health risk assessment of trace elements contamination in Ghodaghodi Lake, Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal
Author(s) -
Ramesh Raj Pant,
Khadka Bahadur Pal,
Gita Pathak,
Kiran Bishwakarma,
Lal B Thapa,
Yam Prasad Dhital,
Youb Raj Bhatta,
G. V. Joshi,
Kedar Rijal
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nepal journal of environmental science/nepal journal of environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2542-2901
pISSN - 2350-8647
DOI - 10.3126/njes.v9i1.36603
Subject(s) - contamination , water quality , environmental science , human health , environmental chemistry , inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry , water resource management , geography , environmental health , chemistry , ecology , mass spectrometry , biology , medicine , chromatography
The contamination of trace elements (TEs) in freshwater sources has become an alarming issue globally. This study evaluates the contamination level of TEs, their spatial distributions, and the health risks in the Ghodaghodi Lake complex, Nepal. Altogether, ten water samples were collected, and As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sc, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, Y, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results revealed that Sr, Zn, Cu, As, Sc, and Rb were dominated TEs, contributing to the contamination. The principal component analysis and correlation matrices demonstrated both the geogenic and anthropic origin of the TEs in the lake. The water quality index (WQI=10.08) and hazard indices <1 exhibited that the TEs pose a low risk to human health and, hence the water of the lake was suitable for drinking purposes. However, exposure risk assessment results suggested that children are relatively more vulnerable compared to adults. The outcome of this study will provide new insights to local people and the concerned authorities for the sustainable management of Ramsar listed Ghodaghodi Lake complex.