Hydrogeochemical appraisal, sources, quality and potential health risk assessment in Holocene and Pleistocene aquifers in Bangladesh

This study integrated hydrochemical analysis, isotopic analysis, the integrated water quality index (IWQI), and the health risk assessment model to analyze hydrochemical characteristics, quality, and nitrate health risks in a typical agricultural and industrial (i.e., Holocene and Pleistocene) simultaneously affected by anthropogenic activities, as well as to explore the recharge mechanisms of the groundwater. The shallow groundwater is mainly Ca-HCO3− and deep groundwater is mainly Na-HCO3− types. In shallow and intermediate aquifers (Holocene), rainfall recharge is seen, but in deep aquifers (Holocene) and the Madhupur tract (Pleistocene), there is no evidence of recent recharge from the stable isotopic (δ2H‰ and δ18O‰) composition of groundwater. Anthropogenic sources significantly impacted the groundwater chemistry of shallow and intermediate aquifers more than geogenic sources. Most metalloids, and metals (As, and Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Mn) and NO3− exceed the WHO-2011 and BD acceptable limit from shallow and intermediate groundwater. PCA analysis revealed the contamination of shallow and intermediate aquifers by metalloids, metals and from various anthropogenic activities. Based on the IWQI, HPI, HEI, and DC, groundwater samples from shallow and intermediate aquifers are unsuitable for oral consumption. The NPI shows that the metalloids, and metals are responsible for groundwater pollution in a descending order of As > Fe > Pb > Ni > Cr > Mn. Health risk assessment indicates oral and dermal consumption of contaminated water from shallow and intermediate aquifers can pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks for both the adults and the children. The HQ and HI values of shallow and intermediate groundwater indicates higher non-carcinogenic risk. Carcinogenic risk through oral and dermal consumption follows an order of As > Ni > Cr > Pb and Ni > Cr > As > Pb, respectively. Compared to adults, children are more susceptible to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. Potential threats to the health of people living in the study region need immediate attention from the public, government, and the scientific community. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.