Evaluation of health risk and heavy metal pollution status in the Bhima River water Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India

Abstract

The current investigation aimed to examine the present status of pollution in the Bhima River using indices (degree of contamination, heavy metal evaluation index, & heavy metal pollution index) and health risk assessment (non-carcinogenic & carcinogenic) by choosing some heavy metals like copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), & zinc (Zn). Eight samples of surface water were collected monthly from October 2021 to September 2022 and analyzed by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The absorptions of heavy metals into sequence Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd have been observed. Pb, Cd, and Ni concentrations were considerably higher in samples collected near sewage runoff and along bridges. The calculated pollution indices indicate that five of the eight sampling sites are extremely polluted. Carcinogenic & Non-carcinogenic dangers were tabulated for adults, children, & infants according to the quantity of heavy metal content in an average daily consumption of water. For adults, children, as well as infants, the estimated non-carcinogenic standards were 3, 5, and 2, respectively. The computed carcinogenic risk levels for Pb, Cd, and Ni exceed the 10-6-10-4 acceptable limit. Indices and risk assessment values suggest that river water is not acceptable for ingestion by all age groups. Additionally, principal component analysis and cluster analysis disclosed that agricultural runoff, lead battery usage, sewage sludge, and bridge construction were the foremost sources of water quality degradation in the study zone. The development of a public drinking water supply is advised by this research to lessen negative impacts of heavy metal poisoning upon human health. Before making the water available for use by the public, it needs also be treated.