Geospatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Heavy Metal Contamination in Baicë Village, Kosovo

Abstract

Aim of the study This study addresses the growing concern of water pollution in rural areas, where limited monitoring can affect both human health and ecosystem stability. Contamination of freshwater resources has become an important environmental and public health issue, prompting the need for detailed local assessments. This study assesses pollution status and water quality in Baicë village, Kosovo, a rural area where limited monitoring can affect both human health and ecosystem stability. Material and methods Groundwater samples were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters and heavy metals, including Cr, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd. The results revealed significantly elevated concentrations of lead at all sampling points (M1: 0.27 mg/L, M2: 0.25 mg/L, M3: 0.29 mg/L), exceeding recommended limits and indicating serious contamination. Elevated levels of other parameters, including COD and BOD5, further suggest anthropogenic impacts on water quality. Results and conclusions Toxic element levels, including Cr, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd, were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), providing additional insights into contamination. Furthermore, geospatial analysis using GIS and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation generated contamination hotspot maps, revealing spatial variations and helping identify priority areas for targeted remediation efforts. However, due to the limited number of sampling locations and temporal coverage, the results should be considered a preliminary assessment and further monitoring is recommended to improve the understanding of groundwater contamination patterns in the study area.