Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around the coal mining area, Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Groundwater pollution monitoring has become crucial for ascertaining the fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being) and 6 (clean water and sanitation). This study analyses the seasonal variation in the concentration of 14 heavy metals along with potential human health risks associated with groundwater in the coal mine area of Singrauli. The mean concentration of heavy metals in the Monsoon phase followed the order: Fe > Ba > Zn > B > Mn > Al > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Co > Ag, and during the post-monsoon, it was: Zn > Fe > Mn > Ba > Al > Pb > B > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd > As > Ag > Co. The metal concentrations (except Zn, Cd and Pb) were found to be higher during the monsoon season than during the post-monsoon season. The results of the one-Way ANOVA indicated a significant seasonal variation in the concentrations of the B, Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Ag and Ba in the study area. Factor analysis revealed that both geogenic and anthropogenic sources contributed to the presence of heavy metals in groundwater. The mean value of the Heavy Metal Pollution Index for the monsoon (29) and post-monsoon season (10) was less than the critical value (> 100), indicating low-level pollution. The average value (2.58, 0.63) of the Nemerow Index (NI) has indicated moderate contamination in the monsoon and low-level contamination during the post-monsoon season. The study revealed the carcinogenic health risks (due to Cr, Cd and Pb) and non-carcinogenic risks across all the age groups, especially among children, followed by adults and infants in both the seasons.