| Citation: |
Shi-yu Liu, Bing Yi, Fei Liu, Chun-yan Liu, Shan-shan Yang, Hui-xiang Zhang, Wei Kang, Kai-di Jiang, 2025. Groundwater metal pollution and health risk assessment in river valley heavy industrial cities of arid regions in China, China Geology, 8, 526-539. doi: 10.31035/cg2025084
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Groundwater metal pollution and health risk assessment in river valley heavy industrial cities of arid regions in China
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Abstract
Xining, a river valley city in China’s arid region, serves as an important industrial hub with a fragile ecological environment. While groundwater heavy metal pollution in this area has drawn increasing concern, the sources and associated human health risks remain inadequately understood. This study analyzed 144 shallow groundwater samples from urban Xining for 14 heavy metals (Fe, Al, B, Mn, Ba, Zn, Pb, Cr⁶⁺, Ni, Cu, Co, Sb, Cd, and As) using the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, correlation analysis, and the USEPA health risk assessment model. Results identified Fe, Al, B, Mn, Ba, Pb, Cd, and As as the primary pollutants, especially concentrated in river valley plains. These contaminants primarily originate from natural sedimentary conditions and human activities such as industrial and agricultural development. The pollution indices for Al, Pb, Mn, and Fe exceeded clean water thresholds, indicating serious contamination and the need for enhanced regulation. Health risk assessments revealed that children face greater exposure risks than adults, with arsenic and nickel being the main contributors to carcinogenic risk. Sensitivity analysis further showed that As, Fe, and Cd posed the greatest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly in human-impacted areas such as the Nanchuan and Beichuan valleys and Ganhegou. These findings provide essential insights for groundwater safety management in plateau river valley cities and similar vulnerable regions.
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References
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Shi-yu Liu, Bing Yi, Fei Liu, Chun-yan Liu, Shan-shan Yang, Hui-xiang Zhang, Wei Kang, Kai-di Jiang, 2025. Groundwater metal pollution and health risk assessment in river valley heavy industrial cities of arid regions in China, China Geology, 8, 526-539. doi: 10.31035/cg2025084
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Figure 1.
Sampling points distribution map in Xining City.
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Figure 2.
Box plots of single-factor contamination indices (Pi) of heavy metals in groundwater in the study area.
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Figure 3.
Based on the Heavy Metal Nemero Comprehensive Pollution Index (Ni), the statistical chart of the proportion of points with different levels of pollution index.
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Figure 4.
Spatial distribution characteristics of prominent indicators of groundwater pollution.
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Figure 5.
Pearson correlation of quality parameters in groundwater. Note: *stands for P≤0.05, **stands for P≤0.01.
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Figure 6.
Probability distribution for non-carcinogenic risk (HI) of heavy metals in groundwater.
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Figure 7.
Probability distribution of heavy metal carcinogenic risk in groundwater. (a) As, (b) Cd, (c) Cr, (d) Ni, (e) Pb, and (f) TCR for carcinogenic risk in children and adults.
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Figure 8.
Sensitivity analysis of groundwater heavy metal (a) non-carcinogenic and (b) carcinogenic risks.