ISSN : 2663-2187

Assessment of groundwater contamination for fluoride , nitrate and health risk in Djemila area North east Algeria

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Khemmoudj Kaddour , Idir Soufiane
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.15.2024.13073-13096

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the groundwater quality and human health risks of fluoride and nitrate contamination in Djemila area, north east Algeria , employing a comprehensive analysis of samples collected from various locations, based on Twenty-five physicochemical parameters. Utilizing tools like the Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), Water Quality Index (WQI) where groundwater is the primary source for drinking water. Hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard index (THI) were calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk to men, women, and children using the most substantial method recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results of the study reveal that 26% and 20.59% of groundwater samples have significantly high nitrate and fluoride concentrations, exceeding the maximum permissible limits set by WHO (50 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively). Therefore, ingestion of high fluoride and nitrate water could be the chief reason for health risk in the study area. The total non carcinogenic health risks for men, women, and children ranged from , 3.49 to 4.80, and 3.991 to 5.50, respectively. Moreover, 67.65%, 79.41%, and 82.35% of the total collected groundwater samples exceeded the permissible limit for acceptable total health index (THI D 1) for men, women, and children, respectively. Therefore, the health risk assessment suggests that children face higher health risk than men and women in the study region.

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