Heavy metals contamination and human health risk assessment in shallow groundwater wells in Qara-Hanjeer sub-basin, ne Kirkuk -Iraq

Abstract EN

Groundwater is one of the main sources for human consumption, and irrigation in arid and semi-arid rejoins in the world.

Local peoples in the agricultural areas of Iraq generally consume shallow groundwater from farm wells.

This study aims to evaluate health risk due to heavy metals contamination such as (Fe, Co, Zn, Ni, Mn, As, Cu, Cr, Mo and Pb) in groundwater from Qara-hanjeer sub-basin (NE Kirkuk-Iraq).

The quantification of contamination index based on heavy metals; Cd, HPI and MI showed that anthropogenic activities have not modified the groundwater chemistry at least in a large scale.

Health risk assessment model revealed that Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for both (HQing), (HQdrm) and HI for the heavy elements within water samples for dry and wet seasons were all significantly lower than (1) for the child and adults, suggesting no potential non-carcinogenic health risks via dermal exposure.

However accessible concentrations of (Zn), (Mo) and (Pb) in some wells in the southern area of the study indicates that it is possible that over time and with increasing in concentrations of these elements in groundwater as a result of seepage of wastewater or sewage to the well, we have the environmental problems in the mentioned area.