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Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Southern Italy: Occurrence and Potential Adverse Effects on the Environment and Human Health

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  • Maria Triassi

    (Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini nº 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Pellegrino Cerino

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Paolo Montuori

    (Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini nº 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Antonio Pizzolante

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Ugo Trama

    (General Directorate of Health, Campania Region, Centro Direzionale is. C3, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Federico Nicodemo

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Jacopo Luigi D’Auria

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Sabato De Vita

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Elvira De Rosa

    (Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini nº 5, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Antonio Limone

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute nº 2, 80055 Portici, Italy)

Abstract

This study reports the data on the contamination caused by heavy metals in the groundwater of the Campania Plain (CP) in Southern Italy. A total of 1093 groundwater samples were obtained from the following aquifers: coastal plains (GAR, VCP, VES, SAR, and SEL), volcanic districts (PHLE and VES), and carbonate massifs (MAS and LAT). In this study, the investigation depth ranged from 5 m (GAR) to 200 m (PHLE). The sequence of heavy metal content in groundwater samples was B > Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Ba > Ni > As > Cu > V > Se > Pb > Cd. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal evaluation (HEI) demonstrated that the study areas in which groundwater samples were sampled are not risk zones. Moreover, health risk assessment shows that hazard index (HI) values for heavy metals were found to be significantly low in groundwater samples. In non-carcinogenic risk evaluation for the adult group, the risk was low, whereas for children and infants, the risk was >1 for arsenic alone. Carcinogenic risk assessment (CR) was found lower for adults, children, and infants. The Jenks optimization method was used to evaluate the distribution of heavy metals in the groundwater of CP, and the principal component analysis technique (PCA) was employed to determine the source of heavy metals, and it was found that mixed sources (natural and anthropogenic) may be responsible for heavy metals presence.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Triassi & Pellegrino Cerino & Paolo Montuori & Antonio Pizzolante & Ugo Trama & Federico Nicodemo & Jacopo Luigi D’Auria & Sabato De Vita & Elvira De Rosa & Antonio Limone, 2023. "Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Southern Italy: Occurrence and Potential Adverse Effects on the Environment and Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1693-:d:1038742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniele Cocca & Manuela Lasagna & Enrico Destefanis & Chiara Bottasso & Domenico Antonio De Luca, 2023. "Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Nitrates Associated with Oral and Dermal Groundwater Exposure: The Poirino Plateau Case Study (NW Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.

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