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Analysis of the Quality of Typical Acidic Groundwater of the Guangwang Mining Area and Its Associated Human Health Risks

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  • Guo Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation & Water Pollution, College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Man Gao

    (College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Mingtan Zhu

    (College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Shuang Ren

    (College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Jiajun Fan

    (College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

Abstract

This study determined the hydro-chemical properties of groundwater in a typical mining area and its associated human health risks, focusing on the Guangwang mining area. Groundwater samples were analyzed for toxic metals, after which analysis of principal components, the entropy-weighted water quality index, and Spearman analysis of correlation were applied to the collected data. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States’s health hazard appraisal was utilized to assess the hazards of toxic metals in the local water supply to the health of both grownups and juveniles. HCO 3 -Na and SO 4 ⋅Cl-Ca⋅Mg were found to be the predominant groundwater hydro-chemical types. The eastern section of the area of study showed the greatest average total dissolved solids (16,347.00 mg/L) and SO 4 2− (8980.00 mg/L) levels. It was determined that the groundwater hydro-chemical type was Ca-HCO 3 and that limestone leeching and the evaporative level in the coal seam aquifer were the predominant factors regulating groundwater hydrochemistry. Six of the ten assessed metals exceeded the World Health Organization’s safe water for drinking standards, with particularly high Al (66.97 mg/L) and Cd (194.53 μg/L). Spearman correlation analysis showed significant correlations between Mn, Al, Cu, and Zn, which could be attributed to bauxite minerals associated with the coal mine. Release of metal ions was attributed to the oxidation of metal sulfide minerals, which is driven by mining-induced water–rock interaction. The intake of water for drinking was shown to be the predominant route of hazard to human health. The hazard index decreased from east to west due to the level of abandoned coal mines in the eastern region, along with well-developed fissures. The total carcinogenic hazard for grownups exceeded that of juveniles due to the greater quantity of water for drinking consumed and higher surface area of skin amongst grownups. The results can guide groundwater pollution regulation activities in mining areas to minimize potential hazards of groundwater quality to the health of humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo Liu & Man Gao & Mingtan Zhu & Shuang Ren & Jiajun Fan, 2025. "Analysis of the Quality of Typical Acidic Groundwater of the Guangwang Mining Area and Its Associated Human Health Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2677-:d:1614707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shrikant Vitthal Mukate & Dipak Baburao Panaskar & Vasant Madhav Wagh & Stephen J. Baker, 2020. "Understanding the influence of industrial and agricultural land uses on groundwater quality in semiarid region of Solapur, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3207-3238, April.
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