Description
The concentration of selected geogenic contaminants were evaluated in the groundwater resources of Manipur Valley of India to assess their ecotoxicological human health impacts associated with long-term oral exposure to groundwater. The study focuses on and presents the regional distribution of exposure, concentration and potential ecotoxicological risks to human health among dependent adults and kids. According to the study, some geogenic pollutants, including Ni (24.28%), Co (2.85%), As (7.14%), F (37.14%) and Br (28.57%), have elevated concentrations that are higher than the WHO’s standard permitted thresholds. Approximately 94.6% of the groundwater samples are of acceptable quality, according to the heavy metal pollution index, with only 5.4% falling into the “unsuitable” category. The hazard quotients of As and F were found beyond the critical value (>1) for non-carcinogenic health risk, whereas As and Cr exhibit very high values for carcinogenic health risk. The spatial distribution maps highlight the vulnerable zones concerning the concentration of the contaminants, oral exposure and potential human health risks associated with continuous long-term oral exposure. As a result, the study ofers a thorough scenario of geogenic pollutants in the area’s groundwater resources and highlights likely spatially susceptible zones based on potential threats to human health. The groundwater management actions in the area and future uses of groundwater can both beneft from the baseline data provided by this study.
