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Potential Health Risk Assessment for Nitrate Contamination in the Groundwater of Mersin Province, Türkiye

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 16 - 23, 31.03.2024

Özgür Özbay

https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1397876

Abstract

Though groundwater is one of the most significant natural water sources, its quality is deteriorating due to the anthropogenic pressures that poses health risks for people. In this study, potential health risk assessment for nitrate pollution in groundwater of Mersin Province was determined by commonly using health indices. Study findings indicated that the calculated Hazard Index (HI) values varied between 0.001 and 17.89 for the adults whilst the HI values ranging from 0.001 to 29.87 for the children. The HI values in the groundwater of Erdemli, Göksu and Anamur regions showed low chronic health risk for the adults and children (HI≤1). However, the calculated health risk indices indicated significant health hazards for the children inhabited between Tarsus and Çeşmeli regions (HI≥4.00) due to severe nitrate contamination originated from terrestrial sources. The findings of this study performed in the Mersin Province showed the sustainable management of groundwater policies is needed to reduce nitrate contamination and potential health hazards of the groundwater of studied and other regions in Türkiye.

Keywords

Groundwater Health risk assessment Mersin Nitrate pollution Non-carcinogenic risk Türkiye

References

  • Adimalla, N., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2018). Evaluation of groundwater contamination for fluoride and nitrate in semi-arid region of Nirmal Province, south India: a special emphasis on human health risk assessment (HHRA). Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 25(5), 1107-1124. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1460579
  • Adimalla, N., & Qian, H. (2019). Groundwater quality evaluation using water quality index (WQI) for drinking purposes and human health risk (HHR) assessment in an agricultural region of Nanganur, south India. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 176, 153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.066
  • Adimalla, N. (2020). Spatial distribution, exposure, and potential health risk assessment from nitrate in drinking water from semi-arid region of south India. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 26(2), 310-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1508329
  • Akçay, İ., Tugrul, S., & Ozhan, K. (2022). Effects of river inputs on particulate organic matter composition and distributions in surface waters and sediments of the Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean sea. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 52, 102316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102316
  • Akçay, İ. (2023). Comparison of diffusive and total nutrient fluxes from the sediment of Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 45(2), 176-180. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X23020042
  • Akçay, İ., Özbay, Ö., & Alp, M. T. (2023). Eutrophication status of the Berdan and Göksu River basins in Turkey. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 45(6), 592–598. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X23060048
  • Ba, J., Gao, F., Peng, C., & Li, J. (2022). Characteristics of nitrate and heavy metals pollution in Huixian Wetland and its health risk assessment. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 61(11), 9031-9042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.02.045
  • Demirel, Z., Özer, O., & Özpinar, Z. (2011). Investigation of groundwater pollution in a protected area in Turkey, the Göksu Delta. Gazi University Journal of Science, 24(1), 17-27.
  • Erşahin, S., & Bilgili, B.C. (2023). Nitrates in Turkish waters: Sources, mechanisms, impacts, and mitigation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30, 95250–95271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29202-4
  • Fitts, C. R. (2013). Groundwater: The big picture. In C. R. Fitts (Ed.), Groundwater science (pp. 1-22). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-384705-8.00001-7
  • Güler, C. (2009). Site characterization and monitoring of natural attenuation indicator parameters in a fuel contaminated coastal aquifer: Karaduvar (Mersin, SE Turkey). Environmental Earth Sciences, 59, 631-643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0060-2
  • Güler, C., Kurt, M. A., Alpaslan, M., & Akbulut, C. (2012). Assessment of the impact of anthropogenic activities on the groundwater hydrology and chemistry in Tarsus coastal plain (Mersin, SE Turkey) using fuzzy clustering, multivariate statistics and GIS techniques. Journal of Hydrology, 414-415, 435-451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.11.021
  • Güven, O., Güler, C., Kurt, M. A., & Yildirim, Ü. (2022). Tarsus kıyı akiferi’nde (Mersin) meydana gelen tuzlanmanın nedenlerinin araştırılması. Jeoloji Mühendisliği Dergisi, 46(2), 121-138. https://doi.org/10.24232/jmd.1232826 (In Turkish)
  • Habesoglu, S., & Atici, A. A. (2022). Assessment of pollution indices and human health risk related to 13 heavy metal contents in surface water of Sihke Pond (Van), Turkey. Spectroscopy Letters, 55(7), 464-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00387010.2022.2099424
  • Hatipoğlu, Z., & Bayarı, S. (2005). Mersin-Tarsus kıyı ve yamaç akiferlerinin hidrojeokimyası. Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni, 48(2), 59-72. (In Turkish)
  • IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System). (2023). Nitrate (CASRN 14797-55-8). (IRIS) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=76
  • Kusa, R., & Joshua, W. K. (2023). Evaluating the potability and human health risk of sachet water in Wukari, Nigeria. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 78(2), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2022.2063785
  • Kuyumcu, B. (2023). Estimating submarine groundwater discharge in the Cilicia basin by radioactive isotope tracers and hydrodynamic modeling (Master's thesis, Middle East Technical University).
  • Li, P., Wu, J., & Qian, H. (2012). Groundwater quality assessment based on rough sets attribute reduction and TOPSIS method in a semi-arid area, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 4841-4854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2306-1
  • Moeini, Z., & Azhdarpoor, A. (2021). Health risk assessment of nitrate in drinking water in Shiraz using probabilistic and deterministic approaches and impact of water supply. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100326
  • Muhammad, S., Shah, M. T., & Khan, S. (2011). Health risk assessment of heavy metals and their source apportionment in drinking water of Kohistan region, Northern Pakistan. Microchemical Journal, 98(2), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2011.03.003
  • Özbay, Ö., Göksu, M. Z. L., & Alp, M. T. (2012). Akarsu ortamında su kalite parametrelerinin incelenmesi, Berdan Çayı örneği (Tarsus-Mersin). Ç.Ü. Fen ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 28(1), 109-117. (In Turkish)
  • Özbay, Ö. (2023). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in coastal surface sediments of the Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21, 875-884. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05196-x
  • Özgüler, Ü., Demir, A., Can Kayadelen, G., & Kıdeyş, A. E. (2022). Riverine microplastic loading to Mersin Bay, Turkey on the north-eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 22(SI), TRJFAS20253. http://doi.org/10.4194/TRJFAS20253
  • Pazhuparambil Jayarajan, S. K., & Kuriachan, L. (2021). Exposure and health risk assessment of nitrate contamination in groundwater in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts in Tamil Nadu, South India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(8), 10248-10261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11552-y
  • Picetti, R., Deeney, M., Pastorino, S., Miller, M. R., Shah, A., Leon, D. A., Dangour, A. D., & Green, R. (2022). Nitrate and nitrite contamination in drinking water and cancer risk: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 210, 112988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112988
  • Radfard, M., Gholizadeh, A., Azhdarpoor, A., Badeenezhad, A., Mohammadi, A. A., & Yousefi, M. (2019). Health risk assessment to fluoride and nitrate in drinking water of rural residents living in the Bardaskan city, arid region, Southeastern Iran. Desalin Water Treat, 145, 249–256. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.23651
  • Said, A. A., Yurtal, R., Çetin, M., & Gölpınar, M.S. (2021). Evaluation of some groundwater quality parameters using geostatistics in the urban coastal aquifer of Bosaso plain, Somalia. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 27(1), 88-97. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.611787
  • Shen, Y., Oki, T., Utsumi, N., Kanae, S., & Hanasaki, N. (2008). Projection of future world water resources under SRES scenarios: Water withdrawal. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 53(1), 11-33. https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.53.1.11
  • Türkeri, M., Marankoz, S., Özbay, Ö., Akçay, I., & Alp, M. T. (2023). Nutrient inputs from two major rivers into the cilician basin of the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 52(2), 240-244. https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2023.2.08
  • USEPA. (2004). Risk assessment guidance for superfund, volume I: Human health evaluation manual (Part E, supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment) final. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/part_e_final_revision_10-03-07.pdf
  • USEPA. (2014). Human health evaluation manual, supplemental guidance: Update of standard default exposure factors- OSWER directive 9200.1-120. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/OSWER-Directive-9200-1-120-ExposureFactors.pdf
  • WHO. (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edition. World Health Organization (WHO). https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/254637/9789241549950-eng.pdf?sequence=1
  • Wu, J., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2012). Study on the hydrogeochemistry and non-carcinogenic health risk induced by fluoride in Pengyang County, China. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(3), 1127. https://doi.org/10.6088/ijes.00202030001
  • Wu, J., & Sun, Z. (2016). Evaluation of shallow groundwater contamination and associated human health risk in an alluvial plain impacted by agricultural and industrial activities, mid-west China. Exposure and Health, 8, 311-329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-015-0170-x
  • Yue, F. J., Li, S. L., Liu, C. Q., Zhao, Z. Q., & Ding, H. (2017). Tracing nitrate sources with dual isotopes and long term monitoring of nitrogen species in the Yellow River, China. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 8537. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08756-7
  • Zhang, Q., Xu, P., & Qian, H. (2020). Groundwater quality assessment using improved water quality index (WQI) and human health risk (HHR) evaluation in a semi-arid region of northwest China. Exposure and Health, 12, 487-500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-020-00345-w
  • Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Bi, Z., Shan, Z., & Ren, L. (2021). The deep challenge of nitrate pollution in river water of China. Science of the Total Environment, 770, 144674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144674

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 16 - 23, 31.03.2024

Özgür Özbay

https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1397876

Abstract

References

  • Adimalla, N., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2018). Evaluation of groundwater contamination for fluoride and nitrate in semi-arid region of Nirmal Province, south India: a special emphasis on human health risk assessment (HHRA). Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 25(5), 1107-1124. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1460579
  • Adimalla, N., & Qian, H. (2019). Groundwater quality evaluation using water quality index (WQI) for drinking purposes and human health risk (HHR) assessment in an agricultural region of Nanganur, south India. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 176, 153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.066
  • Adimalla, N. (2020). Spatial distribution, exposure, and potential health risk assessment from nitrate in drinking water from semi-arid region of south India. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 26(2), 310-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1508329
  • Akçay, İ., Tugrul, S., & Ozhan, K. (2022). Effects of river inputs on particulate organic matter composition and distributions in surface waters and sediments of the Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean sea. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 52, 102316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102316
  • Akçay, İ. (2023). Comparison of diffusive and total nutrient fluxes from the sediment of Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 45(2), 176-180. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X23020042
  • Akçay, İ., Özbay, Ö., & Alp, M. T. (2023). Eutrophication status of the Berdan and Göksu River basins in Turkey. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 45(6), 592–598. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X23060048
  • Ba, J., Gao, F., Peng, C., & Li, J. (2022). Characteristics of nitrate and heavy metals pollution in Huixian Wetland and its health risk assessment. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 61(11), 9031-9042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.02.045
  • Demirel, Z., Özer, O., & Özpinar, Z. (2011). Investigation of groundwater pollution in a protected area in Turkey, the Göksu Delta. Gazi University Journal of Science, 24(1), 17-27.
  • Erşahin, S., & Bilgili, B.C. (2023). Nitrates in Turkish waters: Sources, mechanisms, impacts, and mitigation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30, 95250–95271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29202-4
  • Fitts, C. R. (2013). Groundwater: The big picture. In C. R. Fitts (Ed.), Groundwater science (pp. 1-22). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-384705-8.00001-7
  • Güler, C. (2009). Site characterization and monitoring of natural attenuation indicator parameters in a fuel contaminated coastal aquifer: Karaduvar (Mersin, SE Turkey). Environmental Earth Sciences, 59, 631-643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0060-2
  • Güler, C., Kurt, M. A., Alpaslan, M., & Akbulut, C. (2012). Assessment of the impact of anthropogenic activities on the groundwater hydrology and chemistry in Tarsus coastal plain (Mersin, SE Turkey) using fuzzy clustering, multivariate statistics and GIS techniques. Journal of Hydrology, 414-415, 435-451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.11.021
  • Güven, O., Güler, C., Kurt, M. A., & Yildirim, Ü. (2022). Tarsus kıyı akiferi’nde (Mersin) meydana gelen tuzlanmanın nedenlerinin araştırılması. Jeoloji Mühendisliği Dergisi, 46(2), 121-138. https://doi.org/10.24232/jmd.1232826 (In Turkish)
  • Habesoglu, S., & Atici, A. A. (2022). Assessment of pollution indices and human health risk related to 13 heavy metal contents in surface water of Sihke Pond (Van), Turkey. Spectroscopy Letters, 55(7), 464-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00387010.2022.2099424
  • Hatipoğlu, Z., & Bayarı, S. (2005). Mersin-Tarsus kıyı ve yamaç akiferlerinin hidrojeokimyası. Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni, 48(2), 59-72. (In Turkish)
  • IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System). (2023). Nitrate (CASRN 14797-55-8). (IRIS) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=76
  • Kusa, R., & Joshua, W. K. (2023). Evaluating the potability and human health risk of sachet water in Wukari, Nigeria. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 78(2), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2022.2063785
  • Kuyumcu, B. (2023). Estimating submarine groundwater discharge in the Cilicia basin by radioactive isotope tracers and hydrodynamic modeling (Master's thesis, Middle East Technical University).
  • Li, P., Wu, J., & Qian, H. (2012). Groundwater quality assessment based on rough sets attribute reduction and TOPSIS method in a semi-arid area, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 4841-4854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2306-1
  • Moeini, Z., & Azhdarpoor, A. (2021). Health risk assessment of nitrate in drinking water in Shiraz using probabilistic and deterministic approaches and impact of water supply. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100326
  • Muhammad, S., Shah, M. T., & Khan, S. (2011). Health risk assessment of heavy metals and their source apportionment in drinking water of Kohistan region, Northern Pakistan. Microchemical Journal, 98(2), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2011.03.003
  • Özbay, Ö., Göksu, M. Z. L., & Alp, M. T. (2012). Akarsu ortamında su kalite parametrelerinin incelenmesi, Berdan Çayı örneği (Tarsus-Mersin). Ç.Ü. Fen ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 28(1), 109-117. (In Turkish)
  • Özbay, Ö. (2023). Assessment of heavy metal pollution in coastal surface sediments of the Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21, 875-884. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05196-x
  • Özgüler, Ü., Demir, A., Can Kayadelen, G., & Kıdeyş, A. E. (2022). Riverine microplastic loading to Mersin Bay, Turkey on the north-eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 22(SI), TRJFAS20253. http://doi.org/10.4194/TRJFAS20253
  • Pazhuparambil Jayarajan, S. K., & Kuriachan, L. (2021). Exposure and health risk assessment of nitrate contamination in groundwater in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts in Tamil Nadu, South India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(8), 10248-10261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11552-y
  • Picetti, R., Deeney, M., Pastorino, S., Miller, M. R., Shah, A., Leon, D. A., Dangour, A. D., & Green, R. (2022). Nitrate and nitrite contamination in drinking water and cancer risk: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 210, 112988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112988
  • Radfard, M., Gholizadeh, A., Azhdarpoor, A., Badeenezhad, A., Mohammadi, A. A., & Yousefi, M. (2019). Health risk assessment to fluoride and nitrate in drinking water of rural residents living in the Bardaskan city, arid region, Southeastern Iran. Desalin Water Treat, 145, 249–256. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.23651
  • Said, A. A., Yurtal, R., Çetin, M., & Gölpınar, M.S. (2021). Evaluation of some groundwater quality parameters using geostatistics in the urban coastal aquifer of Bosaso plain, Somalia. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 27(1), 88-97. https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.611787
  • Shen, Y., Oki, T., Utsumi, N., Kanae, S., & Hanasaki, N. (2008). Projection of future world water resources under SRES scenarios: Water withdrawal. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 53(1), 11-33. https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.53.1.11
  • Türkeri, M., Marankoz, S., Özbay, Ö., Akçay, I., & Alp, M. T. (2023). Nutrient inputs from two major rivers into the cilician basin of the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 52(2), 240-244. https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2023.2.08
  • USEPA. (2004). Risk assessment guidance for superfund, volume I: Human health evaluation manual (Part E, supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment) final. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/part_e_final_revision_10-03-07.pdf
  • USEPA. (2014). Human health evaluation manual, supplemental guidance: Update of standard default exposure factors- OSWER directive 9200.1-120. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/OSWER-Directive-9200-1-120-ExposureFactors.pdf
  • WHO. (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edition. World Health Organization (WHO). https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/254637/9789241549950-eng.pdf?sequence=1
  • Wu, J., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2012). Study on the hydrogeochemistry and non-carcinogenic health risk induced by fluoride in Pengyang County, China. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(3), 1127. https://doi.org/10.6088/ijes.00202030001
  • Wu, J., & Sun, Z. (2016). Evaluation of shallow groundwater contamination and associated human health risk in an alluvial plain impacted by agricultural and industrial activities, mid-west China. Exposure and Health, 8, 311-329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-015-0170-x
  • Yue, F. J., Li, S. L., Liu, C. Q., Zhao, Z. Q., & Ding, H. (2017). Tracing nitrate sources with dual isotopes and long term monitoring of nitrogen species in the Yellow River, China. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 8537. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08756-7
  • Zhang, Q., Xu, P., & Qian, H. (2020). Groundwater quality assessment using improved water quality index (WQI) and human health risk (HHR) evaluation in a semi-arid region of northwest China. Exposure and Health, 12, 487-500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-020-00345-w
  • Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Bi, Z., Shan, Z., & Ren, L. (2021). The deep challenge of nitrate pollution in river water of China. Science of the Total Environment, 770, 144674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144674
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Hydrobiology
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Özgür Özbay 0000-0001-7837-350X

Early Pub Date March 28, 2024
Publication Date March 31, 2024
Submission Date November 29, 2023
Acceptance Date December 25, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 5 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Özbay, Ö. (2024). Potential Health Risk Assessment for Nitrate Contamination in the Groundwater of Mersin Province, Türkiye. Journal of Agricultural Production, 5(1), 16-23. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1397876
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