Evaluating the applicability of MESS (matrix exponential spatial specification) model to assess water quality using GIS technique in agricultural mountain catchment (Western Carpathian)

Assessment of water quality, trace metal pollution, source apportionment and health risks in the groundwater of Chakwal, Pakistan

Groundwater quality evaluation is the main concern in the regions like Chakwal where it is major source of water for drinking and irrigation due to low storage capacity of the surface water and lack of proper irrigation system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate various physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, DO, TA, TH and chlorides) and selected essential/toxic trace metal concentrations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sr, Li, Ag, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Cr, Cd, and Pb) in order to explore their distribution, correlation, spatial variations and health risk assessment. Average concentration of some trace metals (Co, Cd and Pb) and physicochemical parameters (EC, TDS, and alkalinity) were found to exceed the national/international standards. Multivariate methods of analysis showed strong associations among Fe-Li-K, Sr-Mg-Ca, Cd-Mn, Cu-Zn, Ag-Co, and Cr-Pb-Na which were significantly contributed by anthropogenic activities. Irrigation water quality index exhibited intermediate suitability of the groundwater for irrigation purpose. Health risk evaluation of the trace metals revealed significant non-carcinogenic risks for Cd, Co and Pb (HQ_ing > 1) especially for children. Similarly, significant carcinogenic risk was found to be associated with Pb and Cr which exceeded the safe limit, suggesting the lifetime carcinogenic risk associated with these metals in the groundwater. The present health risk problems should be considered on top priority and immediate actions should be taken to safeguard the water quality in the study area.

Multiannual Assessment of the Risk of Surface Water Erosion and Metal Accumulation Indices in the Flysch Stream Using the MARS Model in the Polish Outer Western Carpathians

The anthropogenic problems in richly sculpted areas (mountain and submontane) are mainly related to agricultural activity, which shapes the quality of surface waters. This paper presents an analysis of the results of the hydrochemical tests carried out in the years 2007–2018 at check-control spots. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI < 100) indicated a low risk for aquatic organisms. The statistical calculations obtained by means of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) designated that the hazard quotient (HQ) index can be combined with the electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved substances (TDS) parameters used in the assessment of water erosion. The HQ index showed that the concentration of individual heavy metals is lower than their value in the 0.5 percentile of the value. In subsequent studies, it should be assessed whether the size of arable land has an impact on the increased concentration of heavy metals in the surface water. We recommend small retention reservoirs as a potential management measure to improve the quality of the surface water at a regional scale. This study has great potential to mitigate the degradation processes related to the insufficient storage capacity, and to promote natural water retention.