Distribution, Source Identification, and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface and Groundwater Resources of the Sirhind Canal Region, Punjab, India

Abstract

Water pollution with heavy metals is an important environmental and public health problem, especially in areas that rely heavily on surface water and groundwater for drinking and farming. In the present study, surface water and ground water resources of the Sirhind Canal region of Punjab, India, were studied for the distribution of heavy metals along with their potential sources and health risk assessments. The following metals were measured in the water samples: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and Uranium (U). The concentrations of the heavy metals in groundwater were remarkably high compared to surface water, and significant enrichment of iron (0.86 mg/L), uranium (28.6 µg/L), nickel (0.038 mg/L), arsenic (0.014 mg/L), and lead (0.012 mg/L) were observed. The strong positive correlation for some metals indicated by statistical analysis suggested that they were derived from similar geogenic sources and groundwater–rock interaction processes. The following elements were found to be above the BIS and WHO parameters in the groundwater samples: Iron, arsenic, lead, and nickel. The findings have revealed that there might be some health risks in the long-term use of groundwater, and it has also emphasized the need for constant surveillance, groundwater management, and sustainable groundwater quality protection measures in the Sirhind Canal area.