Extreme natural and anthropogenic activities have dangerously deteriorated groundwater quality throughout the world. To disclose the quality of groundwater, contaminants sources and human health risks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), huge groundwater samples (higher than 700) were collected for this study and used for comprehensive evaluation of the groundwater quality and potential risks of F−, and NO3− to human health for the first time in KSA. We found that F−, and NO3− vary spatially, and the concentrations of F−, and NO3− are varied between 0 mg/L to 4.5 mg/L (mean: 0.54 mg/L), and 0 mg/L to 133 mg/L (mean: 18.6 mg/L), respectively, and are higher than the recommended limits of WHO in numerous drinking wells. Results of the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) exhibited that F−, NO3−, Cl−, and SO42− have greater effects on humans in the investigated area. Hydrochemical evolution in the groundwater is primarily compelled by both rock-water interaction and anthropogenic influences. Potential health risk results showed that the oral intake pathway would pose potential non-carcinogenic risks to adults and children than the dermal pathway. The human health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risks posed by F−, and NO3− were high for children than adults. The outcome of this study indicated that rational measures should be preferred to protect the groundwater quality in context of achieving UN sustainable development goal.

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Hydrochemical Assessment of Groundwater of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Based on Deterministic and Integrated-Weight Water Quality Index Models

  • Othman Fallatah,
  • Mahmoud R. Khattab

摘要

Extreme natural and anthropogenic activities have dangerously deteriorated groundwater quality throughout the world. To disclose the quality of groundwater, contaminants sources and human health risks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), huge groundwater samples (higher than 700) were collected for this study and used for comprehensive evaluation of the groundwater quality and potential risks of F−, and NO3− to human health for the first time in KSA. We found that F−, and NO3− vary spatially, and the concentrations of F−, and NO3− are varied between 0 mg/L to 4.5 mg/L (mean: 0.54 mg/L), and 0 mg/L to 133 mg/L (mean: 18.6 mg/L), respectively, and are higher than the recommended limits of WHO in numerous drinking wells. Results of the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) exhibited that F−, NO3−, Cl−, and SO42− have greater effects on humans in the investigated area. Hydrochemical evolution in the groundwater is primarily compelled by both rock-water interaction and anthropogenic influences. Potential health risk results showed that the oral intake pathway would pose potential non-carcinogenic risks to adults and children than the dermal pathway. The human health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risks posed by F−, and NO3− were high for children than adults. The outcome of this study indicated that rational measures should be preferred to protect the groundwater quality in context of achieving UN sustainable development goal.