Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Zhangye Basin, Gansu, China

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2018.00081

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2019, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (5): 37-44.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2018.00081

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Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Zhangye Basin, Gansu, China

Sheng Danrui^1,2, Wen Xiaohu¹, Feng Qi¹, Wu Jun³, Si Jianhua¹, Wu Min¹

1. Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China;
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
3. Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China

Received:2018-06-24 Revised:2018-08-13 Online:2019-09-29 Published:2019-09-29

Abstract

Abstract: Groundwater is an important water resource in Zhangye Basin that is a typical inland river basin. However, groundwater nitrate pollution in this region has not been paid enough attention. This study analyzed the concentrations of groundwater nitrate in Zhangye Basin and evaluated the health risks posed by groundwater nitrate using the health risk assessment model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results show that the groundwater nitrate pollution in Zhangye Basin has become increasingly serious since 2004. The highest nitrate concentration reached 283.32 mg·L^-1 in 2015. Concentrations of NO₃^--N at more than 17.61% of the sample sites exceeded the Grade Ⅲ threshold (20 mg·L^-1). The non-carcinogenic risks of nitrate through dermal contact pathway in the study area were at acceptable level while those through ingestion (by drinking water) was relatively higher. Non-carcinogenic risks caused by drinking water, much higher than those posed by dermal contact, contributed to 99.40% of the total risks, which indicated that groundwater nitrate affected human health mainly through ingestion pathway. The nitrate health risks for children through drinking water and dermal contact pathways were 1.544 and 1.039 times those of adults. The health risks at 32.39% of the sampling sites exceeded the acceptable level for children while those at 14.79% of the sampling sites were unacceptable for adults. The concentrations of groundwater nitrate in Ganzhou district, the northern edge of Linze County and the surrounding areas of Gaotai County were the highest so that residents in these regions were facing the highest health risks. The results of this study suggest that groundwater monitoring and effective nitrate control in Zhangye Basin are needed.

Key words: groundwater, nitrate, health risk assessment, Zhangye Basin

CLC Number:

X131.2

Sheng Danrui, Wen Xiaohu, Feng Qi, Wu Jun, Si Jianhua, Wu Min. Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Zhangye Basin, Gansu, China[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2019, 39(5): 37-44.

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Groundwater Nitrate Pollution and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Zhangye Basin, Gansu, China

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