Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around Non-Engineered Landfill in Botshabelo, South Africa

Innocent  Mugudamani; Saheed  Adeyinka Oke; Thandi Patricia  Gumede; Silent  Ruzvidzo; Majang Irene  Mokgadi; Moeketsi  Sesing

doi:10.18502/jehsd.v11i1.21165

Innocent Mugudamani Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
Saheed Adeyinka Oke Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
Thandi Patricia Gumede Department of Life Science, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Silent Ruzvidzo Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Majang Irene Mokgadi Department of Life Science, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Moeketsi Sesing Department of Life Science, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jehsd.v11i1.21165

Keywords: Groundwater Pollution, Public Health, Landfill Sites, Environmental Health Risk, Waste Management, Toxic Heavy Metals, Water Resources

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the environmental health risks of heavy metal pollution in groundwater around non-engineered landfills in Botshabelo, South Africa.

Materials and Methods: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ion chromatography were used to analyze heavy metals in groundwater collected during the dry and wet seasons. Ecological risk factors and potential ecological risk indices were used to assess ecological risks. A human health risk assessment method was used to assess potential public health risks.

Results: The mean concentrations of heavy metals were as F(0.29) > Mn(0.24) > Al(0.08) > Ba(0.06) = U(0.06) > Mo(0.04) > Fe(0.03) = B(0.03) > Cr(0.02) = Cu(0.02) > Zn(0.01) mg/l and F(0.21) > Mn(0.12) > B(0.06) > Fe(0.02) > Al(0.01) mg/l in wet and dry season respectively. Generally, only Mn, Mo, and U were above the acceptable standards for drinking water. It was only Mo that posed a high potential ecological risk during the wet season, whereas in the dry season, all heavy metals showed low ecological risk. The potential ecological risk index revealed a significantly high and low ecological risks during wet and dry season respectively. There was a potential non-carcinogenic risk of Mo, U, and Cr during the wet season for all population groups. The study also revealed that Cr has an acceptable carcinogenic risk and no possibility of carcinogenic risks during the wet season for children and adults.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is potential heavy metal pollution of groundwater migrating from Botshabelo non-landfill.