Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea
This study aimed to investigate the irrigation water quality, major pollution sources, and human health hazards by focusing on heavy metal concentrations in the surface water of the Han River watershed, South Korea that supplies water for consumption and irrigation. Here, Mn was found to have the hi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3111 |
| _version_ | 1797461830867615744 |
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| author | Jong Kwon Im Young Seuk Kim Yong Chul Cho Taegu Kang Sang Hun Kim |
| author_facet | Jong Kwon Im Young Seuk Kim Yong Chul Cho Taegu Kang Sang Hun Kim |
| author_sort | Jong Kwon Im |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to investigate the irrigation water quality, major pollution sources, and human health hazards by focusing on heavy metal concentrations in the surface water of the Han River watershed, South Korea that supplies water for consumption and irrigation. Here, Mn was found to have the highest mean concentration, with the maximum concentration recorded at IH-2. The heavy metal concentrations were higher during summer and fall than that during spring. The mean concentration of heavy metals was relatively high in the downtown area (1.8 times) and downstream of the wastewater treatment facilities (1.3 times), indicating that the wastewater treatment facilities (WTFs) may be the primary source of pollution. Water at most of the sites were found to be suitable for irrigation. However, the sodium absorption ratio and soluble sodium percentage indicated that IH-2 was unsuitable. The results of the principal component analysis indicated that anthropogenic (vehicle and industrial) activities were the primary sources of metal pollution. Ingestion was identified as the primary exposure pathway in terms of health risks. However, the hazard quotients and hazard index for all pathways were below the safety limit (<1) for children and adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:25:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-608e032fa177467b9b51c20e737d3bc3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:25:58Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-608e032fa177467b9b51c20e737d3bc32023-11-24T12:46:36ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-12-011212311110.3390/agronomy12123111Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South KoreaJong Kwon Im0Young Seuk Kim1Yong Chul Cho2Taegu Kang3Sang Hun Kim4Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-Gil 68beon-Gil, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaHan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-Gil 68beon-Gil, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaHan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-Gil 68beon-Gil, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaHan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-Gil 68beon-Gil, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaHan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-Gil 68beon-Gil, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaThis study aimed to investigate the irrigation water quality, major pollution sources, and human health hazards by focusing on heavy metal concentrations in the surface water of the Han River watershed, South Korea that supplies water for consumption and irrigation. Here, Mn was found to have the highest mean concentration, with the maximum concentration recorded at IH-2. The heavy metal concentrations were higher during summer and fall than that during spring. The mean concentration of heavy metals was relatively high in the downtown area (1.8 times) and downstream of the wastewater treatment facilities (1.3 times), indicating that the wastewater treatment facilities (WTFs) may be the primary source of pollution. Water at most of the sites were found to be suitable for irrigation. However, the sodium absorption ratio and soluble sodium percentage indicated that IH-2 was unsuitable. The results of the principal component analysis indicated that anthropogenic (vehicle and industrial) activities were the primary sources of metal pollution. Ingestion was identified as the primary exposure pathway in terms of health risks. However, the hazard quotients and hazard index for all pathways were below the safety limit (<1) for children and adults.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3111trace elementswastewater treatment plantssurface waterirrigation waterhuman health riskmanganese |
| spellingShingle | Jong Kwon Im Young Seuk Kim Yong Chul Cho Taegu Kang Sang Hun Kim Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea Agronomy trace elements wastewater treatment plants surface water irrigation water human health risk manganese |
| title | Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea |
| title_full | Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea |
| title_short | Water Quality, Source Identification, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Multivariate Analysis in the Han River Watershed, South Korea |
| title_sort | water quality source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals using multivariate analysis in the han river watershed south korea |
| topic | trace elements wastewater treatment plants surface water irrigation water human health risk manganese |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3111 |
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