Abstract:
This paper is the results of environmental geological survey engineering.
Objective Pollutants from industrial, agricultural and rural domestic activities tend to cause nitrate (NO3−) accumulation in groundwater. Long-term intake of groundwater with excessive nitrate poses potential health risks to human beings. This paper investigates the nitrate pollution status of drinking groundwater in Rucun Township of Wutai County and its surrounding rural areas, conducts human health risk assessment, and provides data support for the safe drinking water management of rural regions.
Methods We used statistical analysis software (SPSS19) and constructed a human health risk model (HHRA) to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the health risks of nitrate in populations of different ages and genders.
Results The average concentration of nitrate in the study area is 43.99 mg/L, which is over 2.2 times higher than the standard value of 20 mg/L. 89% of the area is in an excessive state. Groundwater is severely polluted by NO3−, and nitrate pollution areas are mainly concentrated in the main human activity areas, especially in the main agricultural production areas.
Conclusions There is a high health risk of nitrate pollution in rural drinking groundwater in Rucun Township and surrounding areas. The health hazards of NO3− pollution in groundwater to different genders and age groups are mainly influenced by exposure duration, average weight of residents, life expectancy, and skin contact surface area. The research results can provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of groundwater nitrate pollution.