ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Concentrations and Human Health Risk
Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Surface
Water of the Siling Reservoir Watershed
in Zhejiang Province, China
Naveedullah1, Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi1, Chunna Yu2, Hui Shen1, Dechao Duan1,
Chaofeng Shen1, Liping Lou1, Yingxu Chen1
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1Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences,
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
2Center for Biomedicine and Health, Hangzhou Normal University,
Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(3):801-811
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Anthropogenic and agricultural activities are deteriorating drinking water quality of the Siling reservoir.
Spatio-temporal variations and risk assessment of select heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cd, and Pb) were
investigated in water samples. During summer Mn (37.32 μg/L), Fe (41.0 μg/L), and Cd (1.18 μg/L) concentrations
were higher in the water samples, while the concentrations of Zn (86.12 μg/L), Fe (42.0 μg/L), and
Pb (30.82 μg/L) were dominant in winter. However, Cr exhibited elevated concentrations in both seasons. The
health-risk assessment revealed that hazard quotient (HQing) and hazard index (HIing) values were near to the
acceptable limit, indicating non-carcinogenic risk to the recipient via oral intake of water. The calculated values
for chronical daily intake (CDI) were found in the order of Cr > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cd in summer and Zn >
Fe > Cr > Pb > Mn > Cu during winter. The carcinogenic risk (CRing) via ingestion route for Cr, Cd, and Pb
were noted higher than the acceptable limit (10-6). Multivariate statistical analysis such as cluster analysis (CA)
and principal component analysis (PCA) results revealed that natural processes and anthropogenic activities
were the main sources of water contamination. The data provided in this study are considered essential for
reservoir remediation. The results suggested that quick action should be taken to protect the drinking water
integrity of the Siling reservoir watershed from the different nonpoint pollution sources, especially the application
of agricultural fertilizers.