Climate Impacts on Groundwater: Contamination Pathways and Health Risk Assessment
摘要
Climate change is a global phenomenon profoundly altering the planet’s hydrological cycles. One critical but often overlooked consequence is the deterioration of groundwater quality. The complex interaction between groundwater systems and climate change is examined in this chapter, with an emphasis on contamination pathways and health risk assessment (HRA). The hydrological cycle is dramatically altered as climate change picks up speed, affecting groundwater recharge rates, levels, and pollutant transport. Due to the mobilization and concentration of contaminants in groundwater brought on by increasing flooding, droughts, and sea level rise, these changes pose significant issues for water quality. In light of climate change, the chapter presents a thorough health risk assessment (HRA) approach for assessing the possible health effects of groundwater contamination. Hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose–response assessment, and risk characterization are important parts of this system. The chapter emphasizes that the increasing threat of climate change necessitates a proactive approach to safeguarding and preserving the quality of groundwater resources. Recommendations include strategies for sustainable water resource management, implementing advanced monitoring systems, and developing innovative treatment technologies to protect the well-being of communities relying on groundwater supplies.