Characteristics, Possible Origins, and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Surface Waters of the Han River Watershed, South Korea

Jong Kwon Im (), Yong Chul Cho, Young Seuk Kim, Soyoung Lee, Taegu Kang and Sang Hun Kim
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Jong Kwon Im: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Yong Chul Cho: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Young Seuk Kim: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Soyoung Lee: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Taegu Kang: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Sang Hun Kim: Han River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42, Dumulmeori-gil 68beon-gil, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Incheon 12585, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: To safeguard aquatic environments in and around the Han River watershed in South Korea, a multivariate statistical evaluation of trace elements, a trace element concentration analysis and source determination, and a human health risk assessment were conducted on 10 trace elements at 25 sites. The results demonstrated that the Han River watershed was mainly affected by anthropogenic activities (traffic/industrial activity). The range of concentrations was arranged in descending order: Fe (217.13 ± 301.03 µg/L) > Mn (102.36 ± 153.04 µg/L) > Zn (23.33 ± 79.63 µg/L) > Ba (29.05 ± 12.37 µg/L) > Ni (5.14 ± 11.57 µg/L) > Cu (3.80 ± 3.56 µg/L) > Pb (0.46 ± 0.52 µg/L) > Se (0.06 ± 0.04 µg/L) > Cd (0.01 ± 0.01 µg/L) > Ag (0.004 ± 0.013 µg/L). The hazard index values of trace elements in surface water for combined pathways (ingestion and dermal contact) were < 1.0 for both adults and children, indicating no possible human health hazards. The estimated total cancer risk did not exceed the acceptable limit (1 × 10 −4 ) for adults and children. The findings of this study provide data-driven guidelines for water environment policy decisions in the study area.

Keywords: water quality; trace element; Han River; health risk; hazard index; cancer risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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