235 Advancing the Understanding and Management of Groundwater Pollution with Arsenic and Other Geogenic Contaminants Using Geospatial Tools, Machine Learning, and Data Science, Part I

The growing trend of data aggregation and analysis, along with emerging technologies like machine learning, has significantly improved our understanding of groundwater basins, enabling better assessments of water quality for direct consumption and treatment in groundwater supply management.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 210AB

Health risk from arsenic and other geogenic contaminants in the wheat irrigated with industrial effluents, ground water and canal water of Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan

Paper number: 235-11
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:40 AM – 10:55 AM

Authors

  • Asif Javed Presenting Author
    Hazara University, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Rimsha Jamil
    Bahria University, islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
  • Matiullah Khan
    Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
  • Junaid Khattak
    Hazara University, Mansehra, Mansehra

Abstract

In Gujranwala District of Punjab, wastewater irrigation for the cultivation of crops is a common practice, alongside canal and groundwater, which could be a potential source of metal contamination and results human exposure. The study area hosts several commercial and industrial centers as well as support a good amount of agriculture. Rapid urbanization and industrialization results in contamination of soil with heavy metals, posing a significant risk to adults and children through food chain transfer. The current study was therefore, carried out to investigate the heavy metal content of As, Pb, Cr, Hg and Cd in wheat samples irrigated with industrial effluent, tube well and canal water of Gujranwala, Pakistan and associated human health risk. From different agricultural fields of Gujranwala, a total 45 samples of wheat were randomly collected. Out of those 45 samples, 8 samples were collected from sites irrigated with industrial effluent, 16 samples were collected from the sites that were irrigated with canal water and 21 samples were collected the sites, irrigated with tube well water. Concentration of heavy metals in wheat samples was assessed with the aid of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer to calculate non-carcinogenic (HQ) and carcinogenic risks (CR) of the heavy metals for adults and children following the risk assessment modals of US-EPA. High concentration of heavy metals was found in wheat samples irrigated with industrial effluent compared to canal and tube well water. The translocation factor in wheat irrigated with industrial effluent, canal, and tube well showed general trend as Pb > Hg >Cd > Cr >As.  For all studied metals, the calculated daily intake estimates (DIE) indicated high values for Pb, Cr, and Cd in adults consuming wheat irrigated with industrial effluent, with Pb showing the highest value in children. HQ estimated for non-carcinogenic risk was found to be higher for Hg and Cd compared to Pb, As and Cr. Whereas, the carcinogenic risk for adults and children in wheat were with in the safe limit (1E-06 to 1E-04). However, if heavy metals contaminated food is continuously consumed may result into potential build up of harmful and various disorders in humans. Therefore, long-term monitoring and more studies are required to keep check and balance for the safety of humans under such conditions.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412002

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