ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate Pollution
in Shallow Groundwater: A Case Study
in China
| 1 | Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China |
| 2 | College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, China |
| 3 | Shenyang Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Shenyang, China |
Submission date: 2019-01-13
Final revision date: 2019-02-04
Acceptance date: 2019-02-12
Online publication date: 2019-09-10
Publication date: 2019-12-09
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(1):827–839
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
High concentrations of nitrate in groundwater pose a threat to human health. To quantify groundwater
nitrate pollution in China’s Lianhuashan District and evaluate its human health risks, 73 groundwater
samples were collected and analyzed. Results showed that the spatial distribution of groundwater
chemical components was varied and concentrations were in the order of TDS>HCO3>Ca>Cl>SO4>
Na>Mg>NO3>K>NH4>NO2.NO3 concentrations ranged from 0.02-340.49 mg/L and averaged 70.38 mg/L.
Over 28.76% of samples exceeded the QSCB Class III threshold (20 mg / L N). Principal component
analysis determined that NO3 contamination was primarily attributed to the excessive use of fertilizers
in agriculture. A human health risk assessment model was used to assess the potential health risks of
groundwater NO3 via drinking water and skin contact pathways. Approximately 94% of adults, 86% of
children, and 66% of infants had acceptable health risks. NO3 exposure risk in the towns of Quanyan and
Quannongshan were the highest, while urban areas tended to have lower exposures. The health risks to
residents, especially minors and infants, were concerning.
RELATED ARTICLE
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.