Groundwater quality, heavy metal pollution, and health risk assessment using geospatial techniques and index methods in Eber wetland and surroundings (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey)

The continuous increase in the demand for water and the scarcity of water to be used as drinking water have made groundwater even more important. The study area, Eber wetland, is located in the Akarcay river basin, which is one of the most important river basins in Turkey. The groundwater quality and heavy metal pollution were investigated in the study using index methods. In addition, health risk assessments were performed. Ion enrichment was determined at locations E10, E11, and E21 related to water-rock interaction. In addition, nitrate pollution was observed in many samples due to agricultural activities and also fertilizer application in the areas. The water quality index (WOI) values of the groundwaters vary between 85.91 and 201.77. In general, groundwater samples located around the wetland were in the "poor water" class. According to the values for the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), all the groundwater samples are suitable for use as drinking water. They are also classified as "low pollution" according to the heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and the value/degree of contamination (Cd). In addition, since the water is been used for drinking by the people in the area, a health risk assessment was performed to ascertain As and NO3. It was determined that the R-cancer values calculated for As were considerably higher than the tolerable/acceptable values for both adults and children. The results obtained clearly show that the groundwater should not be used as drinking water.