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

Guo Liu (), Man Gao, Mingtan Zhu, Shuang Ren and Jiajun Fan
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Guo Liu: State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, 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

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-17

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.

Keywords: Guangwang mining area; hydro-chemical characteristics; groundwater; water quality; human health risks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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