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Source apportionment and health risk assessment in chromite mining area: Insights from entropy water quality indexing and Monte Carlo simulation
Ist Teil von
Process safety and environmental protection, 2024-04, Vol.184, p.526-541
Ort / Verlag
Elsevier Ltd
Erscheinungsjahr
2024
Link zum Volltext
Quelle
Alma/SFX Local Collection
Beschreibungen/Notizen
The Sukinda ultramafic valley is recognized as one of the most polluted areas, due to largest deposit of chromite ore (FeCr2O4). The region is experiencing substantial water source contamination via Cr(VI) and iron, due to excessive mining activities and geogenic source. This study addresses the critical research gap in the source apportionment and risk assessment pertaining to Cr(VI) and Fe contaminated area and presents an innovative approach by integrating entropy water quality indexing and Monte Carlo simulation. In this comprehensive assessment, 70 water samples were collected from the mining and the residential areas. 78% and 82% of samples exceeded drinking water quality standards for Cr(VI) and Fe, respectively. The entropy water quality index classified 50% of the samples as average to bad, and 44.29% being unsafe for drinking due to excessive metal content. Multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that the contamination is due to mineralization of ultramafic rock, leaching from the soil overburden, and discharge from mining operations. Monte Carlo simulation found that the children faced 1.5 times higher cancer risks than adults, with metal concentrations being the most influential factor. In conclusion, this study provides the valuable insights for policymaking, sustainable mining practices, strategic water resource management and public health interventions in the study area.