Yazar "Sajjad, Raja Umer" seçeneğine göre listele

Listeleniyor 1 - 2 / 2
  • Küçük Resim Yok
    Öğe
    Assessment of hydrochemical characteristics, health risks and quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes in a mountainous region of Pakistan
    (Springer, 2024) Jadoon, Waqar Azeem; Zaheer, Muhammad; Tariq, Abdul; Sajjad, Raja Umer; Varol, Memet
    Renowned for its agriculture, livestock, and mining, Zhob district, Pakistan, faces the urgent problem of declining groundwater quality due to natural and human-induced factors. This deterioration poses significant challenges for residents who rely on groundwater for drinking, domestic, and irrigation purposes. Therefore, this novel study aimed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of groundwater quality in Zhob district, considering various aspects such as hydrochemical characteristics, human health risks, and suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. While previous studies may have focused on one or a few of these aspects, this study integrates multiple analyses to provide a holistic understanding of the groundwater quality situation in the region. Additionally, the study applies a range of common hydrochemical analysis methods (acid–base titration, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and ion chromatography), drinking water quality index (WQI), irrigation indices, and health risk assessment models, using 19 water quality parameters. This multi-method approach enhances the robustness and accuracy of the assessment, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders. The results revealed that means of the majority of water quality parameters, such as pH (7.64), electrical conductivity (830.13 μScm–1), total dissolved solids (562.83 mgL–1), as well as various anions, and cations, were in line with drinking water norms. However, the water quality index (WQI) predominantly indicated poor drinking water quality (range = 51–75) at 50% sites, followed by good quality (range = 26–50) at 37% of the sites, with 10% of the sites exhibiting very poor quality (range = 76–100). For irrigation purposes, indices such as sodium percent (mean = 31.37%), sodium adsorption ratio (mean = 0.98 meqL–1), residual sodium carbonate (– 3.15 meqL–1), Kelley’s index (mean = 0.49), and permeability (mean = 49.11%) indicated suitability without immediate treatment. However, the magnesium hazard (mean = 46.11%) and potential salinity (mean = 3.93) demonstrated that prolonged application of groundwater for irrigation needs soil management to avoid soil compaction and salinity. Water samples exhibit characteristics of medium salinity and low alkalinity (C2S1) as well as high salinity and low alkalinity (C3S1) categories. The Gibbs diagram results revealed that rock weathering, including silicate weathering and cation exchange, is the primary factor governing the hydrochemistry of groundwater. The hydrochemical composition is dominated by mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, followed by Na–Cl and Mg–Cl types. Furthermore, the human health risk assessment highlighted that fluoride (F–) posed a higher risk compared with nitrate (NO3–). Additionally, ingestion was found to pose a higher risk to health compared to dermal contact, with children being particularly vulnerable. The average hazard index (HI) for children was 1.24, surpassing the allowable limit of 1, indicating detrimental health effects on this subpopulation. Conversely, average HI values for adult females (0.59) and adult males (0.44) were within safe levels, suggesting minimal concerns for these demographic groups. Overall, the study’s interdisciplinary approach and depth of analysis make a significant contribution to understanding groundwater quality dynamics and associated risks in Zhob district, potentially informing future management and mitigation strategies. © The Author(s) 2024.
  • Küçük Resim Yok
    Öğe
    Determination of potentially toxic elements in soil, river water and spinach samples from the Lesser Himalaya (Pakistan) by ICP-OES: Implications for food security and public health
    (Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 2025) Jadoon, Waqar Azeem; Gul, Iram; Sajjad, Raja Umer; Varol, Memet; Saqib, Abdul; Mohany, Mohamed; Milosevic, Marija
    Potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination of soils, irrigation water and vegetables poses food insecurity and human health concerns. This study investigated PTE contamination in water, soil, and spinach from two agricultural areas, Baffa and Ichrian, in the Mansehra District of Pakistan. The cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) contents of the samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to evaluate their contamination status and ecological risks, plant bioaccumulation factor (PBAF) and potential human health risks. The results showed that Baffa's water had higher Cd (0.77-2.93 mu g L-1) and Pb (0.10-10.98 mu g L-1) levels than Ichrian's water, but was safe for drinking and irrigation according to guideline values. Soil concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb were higher in Baffa, with Cd levels surpassing global upper continental crust values in all samples and exceeding the recommended levels set by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) in 33 % of samples. Furthermore, the average Cd concentration in Baffa soils exceeded the European soil average. However, spinach PTE levels did not exceed guideline values. Contamination and ecological risk indices indicated moderate pollution in Baffa and low pollution in Ichrian, presenting moderate and low potential ecological risks, respectively. Based on plant bioconcentration factor analysis, minimal (<0.2) metal accumulation was recorded in spinach. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values revealed a metal ranking of Cr > Pb > Cd, with all values falling below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) levels, indicating no potential health risks. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) were below threshold level (<1), indicating no non-carcinogenic risk to the population. Although PTE levels in spinach were within safe limits, our findings emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of PTE concentrations in soils and a broader range of vegetables, as cumulative exposure through consumption of multiple types of vegetables could exceed threshold limits, posing potential health risks.