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Investigation of the potential risks to the human health risk of fluoride and nitrate via water consumption for some areas in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

  • Research Article - Hydrology and Hydraulics
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Abstract

The current study aims to assess the human health risks caused by fluoride and nitrate ions in groundwater in the areas of Khorsibat, Beibukht and Abbasiya used for drinking purposes; As 360 water samples were collected from 15 wells for the period between July 2021 and June 2022 AD to determine the concentrations of nitrate and fluoride ions, after that, the chronic daily intake and the quotient risk (HI) for them were calculated to assess the suitability of water for drinking for all age groups. The results of the study indicated that the concentration levels of nitrates and fluorides ranged between (44.51–9.11) and (2.179–0.158) mg l−1 consecutively, as it was noticed that the concentrations increased clearly whenever we headed south of the study area, especially nitrate ions. The results also indicated that 87% and 47% of the values of the hazard quotient for nitrates (HI) and 73% and 47% for fluorides for the category of infants and children from 6 to 11 years have exceeded the safe drinking levels of (1.0). The quotient hazard (HI) for nitrates and fluorides for females (21 to Old) was relatively high compared to males, reaching (1.00474) and (1.00474), respectively, which indicates that local groundwater has negative health effects for the mentioned age groups. These results can help in developing appropriate strategies for the overall management of water resources, in particular by providing scientific data for decision-making and management of groundwater resources for use in drinking water supply.

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Acknowledgements

The researchers extend their thanks and appreciation to the Presidency of the University of Mosul. Represented by Prof. Dr. Qusay Kamal Al-Din Al-Ahmadi and the Deanships of the College of Education for Pure Sciences for continued support and provision of all research needs, our thanks and gratitude extend to all colleagues for their support in conducting the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, The University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Noor A. S. Al-Gadi

  2. Department of Biology, The University Mosul College of Education for Pure Science, Mosul, Iraq

    Abdulaziz Y. T. Al-Saffawi

  3. LR01ES14 Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, The University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisia

    Noor A. S. Al-Gadi, Mustapha Béjaoui & Ezzeddine Mahmoudi

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  1. Noor A. S. Al-Gadi
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  2. Abdulaziz Y. T. Al-Saffawi
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Al-Gadi, N.A.S., Al-Saffawi, A.Y.T., Béjaoui, M. et al. Investigation of the potential risks to the human health risk of fluoride and nitrate via water consumption for some areas in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Acta Geophys. 71, 2955–2969 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-022-01006-z

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