Hydrogeochemistry, solute source identification, and health risk assessment of groundwater of cancer-prone region in India

Abstract The Bathinda district of Punjab, India has been reported with the highest per capita number cancer patients. Groundwater is major source drinking and irrigation in district. hydrogeochemical analysis indicated Na-HCO3 Na-SO4/Cl type water district, rock-water interaction return flow influenced cations. Only 10% samples were very poor category for purposes, which increased to 95% post-monsoon period due elevated U, As, Ni, F NO3 concentrations. Further, average cumulative risk posed by contaminants was >1 almost all indicating a higher non-cancerous health issues. carcinogenic males, females, children ingestion groundwater laden Cr, Pb 1643 × 10−6, 1415 3066 10−6 during pre-monsoon 2091 1802 3904 respectively. principal component (PCA) anthropogenic origin other geogenic origin, nitrate further influences mobilization U. Removal F, from will help changing status 100% 85% low-risk periods