Assessment of groundwater quality and fluoride health risks using multimetric indices in Balochistan, Pakistan

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dc.contributor.authorZaheer, Muhammad
dc.contributor.authorJadoon, Waqar Azeem
dc.contributor.authorVarol, Memet
dc.contributor.authorKhan, Ibraheem
dc.contributor.authorIslam, Abu Reza Md Towfiqul
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-19T06:39:50Z
dc.date.available2026-06-19T06:39:50Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentMalatya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractIn arid regions, groundwater contamination poses a critical threat to public health and agricultural sustainability. This study presents an integrated assessment of groundwater quality, hydrogeochemical processes, and associated health risks in five key districts (Bolan, Kalat, Nasirabad, Pishin, and Qilla Abdullah) of the water-stressed Baluchistan province, Pakistan. A total of 188 groundwater samples were analyzed for 16 physicochemical parameters. The Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) classified water as Poor to Unsuitable in 60.0%, 59.0%, and 47.8% of samples from Nasirabad, Qilla Abdullah, and Bolan, respectively. Hydrochemical analysis, supported by Piper diagrams and ionic indices, indicated that groundwater in the study area is primarily dominated by Na-Cl, Na-HCO3, and mixed Ca-Mg-Cl facies, reflecting rock-water interactions, silicate and carbonate weathering, and spatially variable cation exchange processes. Irrigation suitability assessment, based on indices like Potential Salinity and Magnesium Hazard, revealed a high risk of salinity and magnesium hazard in most districts, threatening agricultural sustainability. The Health Risk Assessment model showed that fluoride exposure via ingestion poses a significant non-carcinogenic risk to the local population, with children being the most vulnerable group. Hazard Index (HI) values exceeding the safe threshold were observed in 97.1% of the population in Nasirabad and over 82% in Bolan. This comprehensive analysis underscores the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies and sustainable groundwater management policies in this arid region.
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jece.2026.122754
dc.identifier.issn2213-2929
dc.identifier.issn2213-3437
dc.identifier.issue3
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105035881549
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.122754
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12899/5821
dc.identifier.volume14
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001752885700001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier Sci Ltd
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260612
dc.subjectGroundwater Quality
dc.subjectHydrogeochemistry
dc.subjectHealth Risk Assessment
dc.subjectIrrigation Suitability
dc.subjectArid Region
dc.subjectWater Security
dc.titleAssessment of groundwater quality and fluoride health risks using multimetric indices in Balochistan, Pakistan
dc.typeArticle

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