Abstract
Disposal of industrial waste is of great concern because it releases toxic metals resulting into the degradation of environments and consequently causes health effects on humans. The present study was carried out with the objectives of identifying the possible source and migration of contaminants in the surface water and groundwater and the associated health risks in the industrial region of Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 22 water samples were collected and analysed for the concentration of major ions and trace elements. Chemical speciation of chromium and lead in surface and groundwater was calculated using the geochemical code, PHREEQC. The concentration of total dissolved solids, chromium and lead was high in the surface water than groundwater in this region. The chromium in most of the sampled water is dominated with Cr(OH)2+ and Cr(OH)3 species and the dominant species of lead was PbCO3. The major source of contamination is the waste dumped in this region and also the improper disposal of effluents from the small-scale industries in this region. Use of groundwater with the present level of chromium and lead in this region will cause several health effects through oral and dermal pathways. Hence, stringent monitoring of quality of water sources of this region, enforcement of regulation of the disposal of wastes from the industries, recover and treat the dumped solid waste are very much necessary to prevent the spread of contamination.
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Data availability
The dataset used and/or analysed during the current stud are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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L.E. initiated and designed the study. M.S. collected the samples. M.S. and R.R. carried out chemical analysis and prepared spatial maps. M.S. initially drafted the manuscript with inputs from L.E. M.S., R.R. and L.E., have jointly interpreted the data, revised and completed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Manoj, S., RamyaPriya, R. & Elango, L. Long-term exposure to chromium contaminated waters and the associated human health risk in a highly contaminated industrialised region. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 4276–4288 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10762-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10762-8