Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers
Abstract Landfills are the most commonly used Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal method in the world. However, poorly engineered open landfill sites pose significant environmental threats, particularly groundwater contamination from leachate infiltration. In alignment with Sustainable Development...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02499-6 |
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| author | Nusrat Ehsan Agha Dawood Fajar Waheed Rabiya Nasir Nazih Y. Rebouh Syeda Itrat Rizvi Amina Muzamil Qamar uz Zaman |
| author_facet | Nusrat Ehsan Agha Dawood Fajar Waheed Rabiya Nasir Nazih Y. Rebouh Syeda Itrat Rizvi Amina Muzamil Qamar uz Zaman |
| author_sort | Nusrat Ehsan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Landfills are the most commonly used Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal method in the world. However, poorly engineered open landfill sites pose significant environmental threats, particularly groundwater contamination from leachate infiltration. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 3- Good Health and well-being, Goal 6- Clean water and sanitation (SDG#5), this study conducts a comprehensive hydro-chemical assessment of twenty-four (24) groundwater samples extracted across four georeferenced zones surrounding Sialkot landfill sites, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 22 physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Findings reveal non-compliance with Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQs) and WHO drinking water guidelines. Elevated heavy metal concentrations- Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Nickel (Ni) exceeded safe thresholds in all zones, while Cyanide (CN), Manganese (Mn), and Copper (Cu) remained within limits. Metal concentration order was observed as Mg > Zn > Cu > Fe > Pb > Cr > Mn > Ni > CN. Geo-accumulation factor and ecological risk index flagged Zone 1 as critically impacted, particularly by Cr and Ni. Fe levels remained constantly lower than 1 mgL− 1. The health risk assessment using the US EPA probabilistic model showed that the risk of Cr and Ni-related chronic diseases is higher in both adults and children through ingestion and dermal absorption. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00295ca2a1c14b1097262dddc34f9b18 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-00295ca2a1c14b1097262dddc34f9b182025-08-20T03:37:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-02499-6Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifersNusrat Ehsan0Agha Dawood1Fajar Waheed2Rabiya Nasir3Nazih Y. Rebouh4Syeda Itrat Rizvi5Amina Muzamil6Qamar uz Zaman7Lahore Business School, The University of LahoreDepartment of Environmental Sciences, The University of LahoreDepartment of Environmental Sciences, The University of LahoreDepartment of Environmental Sciences, The University of LahoreDepartment of Environmental Management, Institute of Environmental Engineering, RUDN UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, University of Engineering and TechnologyLahore Business School, The University of LahoreDepartment of Environmental Sciences, The University of LahoreAbstract Landfills are the most commonly used Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal method in the world. However, poorly engineered open landfill sites pose significant environmental threats, particularly groundwater contamination from leachate infiltration. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 3- Good Health and well-being, Goal 6- Clean water and sanitation (SDG#5), this study conducts a comprehensive hydro-chemical assessment of twenty-four (24) groundwater samples extracted across four georeferenced zones surrounding Sialkot landfill sites, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 22 physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Findings reveal non-compliance with Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQs) and WHO drinking water guidelines. Elevated heavy metal concentrations- Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Nickel (Ni) exceeded safe thresholds in all zones, while Cyanide (CN), Manganese (Mn), and Copper (Cu) remained within limits. Metal concentration order was observed as Mg > Zn > Cu > Fe > Pb > Cr > Mn > Ni > CN. Geo-accumulation factor and ecological risk index flagged Zone 1 as critically impacted, particularly by Cr and Ni. Fe levels remained constantly lower than 1 mgL− 1. The health risk assessment using the US EPA probabilistic model showed that the risk of Cr and Ni-related chronic diseases is higher in both adults and children through ingestion and dermal absorption.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02499-6ContaminationSolid wasteSustainable development goalsGroundwaterLeachingPollution |
| spellingShingle | Nusrat Ehsan Agha Dawood Fajar Waheed Rabiya Nasir Nazih Y. Rebouh Syeda Itrat Rizvi Amina Muzamil Qamar uz Zaman Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers Scientific Reports Contamination Solid waste Sustainable development goals Groundwater Leaching Pollution |
| title | Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| title_full | Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| title_fullStr | Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| title_short | Human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| title_sort | human and ecological health risks from heavy metal contamination in groundwater aquifers |
| topic | Contamination Solid waste Sustainable development goals Groundwater Leaching Pollution |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02499-6 |
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