Risk Assessment of Metal Contamination in Wastewater Drains of River Ghaggar in Punjab (India).

Abstract

Abstract Heavy metal contamination in surface water is a worldwide concern. The wastewater drains are a major source of river pollution as these drains carry agricultural and domestic waste into the rivers. The aim of the present study was to assess levels of heavy metals in wastewater drains of the Ghaggar River in Punjab (India). To carry out this work, the water samples were collected in five different seasons. The concentration of five metals (lead, cadmium, iron, aluminium, and nickel) was determined through Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) technique. The data was interpreted through various environmental and human health risk assessments. The results of the current study revealed that lead, iron, and aluminium exceeded the permissible limit of the Central Pollution Control Board (India). The pollution indices such as the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), water pollution index (WPI), and degree of contamination (Cd) suggested enormous heavy metal contamination in the study area. The human health risk assessment also revealed that people dwelling near these drains are highly prone to cancer disease and hazard quotients were observed above the threshold limit that poses high non-carcinogenic risks. On the basis of the current study, recommendations are made for water quality improvement in the wastewater drains of Punjab. These drains are further responsible for enhancing pollution in the main rivers in the State of Punjab and heavy metal pollution also poses several environmental and health risks. The compiled data during the present study provides a baseline model that can be helpful in resource management for government authorities of Punjab state.