Hydrogeochemical Investigation and Groundwater Quality Assessment in Tehsil Gujrat, Pakistan

Abstract

Worldwide, people utilize water for various purposes, including economic, industrial, and household needs. Ensuring the availability and quality of groundwater is crucial, as contaminated groundwater can pose significant health risks. In Pakistan, groundwater contamination with arsenic, a heavy metal, is a prevalent issue and a serious threat to human health. This study focuses on assessing groundwater quality for drinking and agricultural purposes, specifically examining arsenic and fluoride concentrations in Tehsil Gujrat. A total of 60 groundwater samples were collected from various locations in Tehsil Gujrat, with 40 of them being functional wells. The results indicate that the majority of groundwater samples fall within the acceptable range defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the concentration of arsenic, with an average value of 8.78 parts per billion (ppb), varies between 0 and 24.13 ppb, and approximately 43% of the groundwater samples exceed the WHO's recommended limit. The Gibbs plot analysis suggests that the primary controlling factors affecting groundwater chemistry are rock dominance, with some samples also showing signs of evaporation crystallization dominance. Health risk assessment was conducted using parameters such as Average Daily Dose (ADD), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR). Alarmingly, 57.1% of the samples exceeded the permissible Hazard Quotient limit (HQ>1), indicating that people face a heightened risk due to arsenic contamination in drinking water. Therefore, it is imperative to implement proper monitoring and management practices for groundwater in Tehsil Gujrat to safeguard public health.