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Thrace Region is a part of the Marmara Region of Türkiye. There are many natural and artificial stagnant water habitats in the region that are used for irrigation and drinking water supply. This study is intended to determine the spatial-temporal variability and probabilistic health risk of fluoride exposure in the water of stagnant water bodies in the Thrace region. A total of 33 stagnant water bodies were selected, and water samples were collected during the dry and wet seasons of 2021–2022. The fluoride levels were measured using a spectrophotometric method (wavelength is 588 nm). The fluoride accumulations varied from 0.16–0.64 mg/L for the natural lakes, 0.04–0.74 mg/L for the reservoirs, and 0.01–0.53 mg/L for the artificial ponds. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested a level of fluoride in drinking water of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L. The study area had a fluoride deficiency of less than 0.5 mg/L in natural water bodies during the wet season (87.87%) and the dry season (93.93%), which might be a potential threat to dental health. Estimation Daily Intake (EDI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) widely used health risk assessment methods were applied to the data in the current research to describe the non-carcinogenic risk of fluoride. All the calculated hazard quotient (HQ) values, both in the dry and wet seasons and in all age groups, were recorded as below 1. Both teenagers and children living in the central part of the study area are at higher risk than infants and adults. To evaluate model uncertainty, Monte Carlo simulations were employed. The outcome of the sensitivity analysis revealed that the major risks to the health of the inhabitants are the high content of fluoride and their daily intake of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, water quality of Sehriban Stream, a rare freshwater ecosystem far from human impact and located in the western part of Türkiye's Karadeniz Region, was studied over a long period of time (a hydrological year). Multivariate statistical approaches such as Pearson Correlation Index (PCI), Factor Analysis (FA), Cluster Analysis (CA) and self-organising maps (SOM) were used to evaluate the water quality and physico-chemical datasets. Samples were taken monthly during February 2019 – January 2020 from 12 stations and a total of 21 physicochemical parameters were investigated. The spatiotemporal averages of some organic pollution parameters investigated in the basin were determined as follows: 344 μS/cm for EC, 0.80 mg/L for COD, 0.42 mg/L for BOD, 0.02 mg/L for PO42-, 34.4 mg/L for SO42-, 0.00009 mg/L for NO2, 1.36 mg/L for NO3 and 0.0002 mg/L for NH4−. According to the findings of this study, despite a modest decline in water quality from upstream to downstream, Sehriban Stream was revealed to have first-class water quality features in general and all parameters detected in all seasons at all the investigated stations were below the limit values reported by WHO. The SOM analysis detected three spatial patterns, e.g. pH-salinity-K+-PO42--Mg2+-NO2; DO-Ca2+-NH4− and TDS-EC-Cl−-SO42--COD-BOD-Na+ in water. As a result of PCI, significant positive and negative correlations were recorded among the investigated parameters. Results of FA showed that 2 factors elucidated 85% of total variances, which are named 'Agricultural Factor' and 'Natural Factor'. As a result of CA, 3 significant clusters were identified, which are named 'Lower Polluted Zone', 'Moderate Polluted Zone' and 'Higher Polluted Zone'. Overall, this work showed that multi-statistical approaches can be used to assess the water quality in a rare, unpolluted habitat over time and space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated potentially toxic elements (PTE) contaminations in the water of alpine lakes of Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. Water samples (n = 46) of various alpine lakes were collected and analysed for PTE determination through atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAanalyst 700, PerkinElmer, USA). Arsenic (As) in water was measured using a mercury hydride generation system. PTE concentrations in water of alpine lakes were observed below the upper limit of the world health organisation (WHO) drinking water guidelines, except for iron (Fe, 14%), chromium (Cr, 10%), and As (2%) of samples. The highest mean concentrations of Fe (233 ± 22.4 µg/L) and Cr (36.3 ± 4.20 µg/L) were noted in the water of Rama Lake and the As (6.20 ± 0.65 µg/L) in the Lower Kachura Lake. PTE concentrations in the water of alpine lakes was evaluated for the elements pollution index (EPI), elements evaluation index (EEI), and risk indices. The values of EPI and EEI for PTE in the water of alpine lakes were found far below the threshold limits. Higher mean chronic daily intake (CDI) values were observed for Fe and zinc (6.67 ± 1.09 and 4.95 ± 2.65 µg/kg-day) in the Rama and Upper Kachura Lakes, respectively. Determined hazard quotient (HQ) values for PTE were noted as> 1. However, the HQ value for As was (1.4 ± 0.06) which may have a detrimental effect on the health of children. Cancer risk of As and HQ values for other elements were found within the allowable limits of consumption in drinking water. Statistical analysis revealed that geogenic sources are the main PTE contaminations contributors in the water of alpine lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to assess the concentration of nitrate (NO3) and fluoride (F), and associated health risks in the four tehsils of district Khyber i.e. Jamrud, Bara, Landi Kotal, and Mula Gori. A total of 61 samples from various groundwater sources were collected and analysed. Groundwater results showed that the mean values of F were 0.86, 0.83, 0.67, and 2.9 mg/l, and that of NO3 15.8, 8.38, 9.76, 4.22 mg/l in Bara, Jamrud, Landi Kotal, and Mula Gori, respectively. Furthermore, health risk assessment was carried out for different age groups i.e. adult male/female (66 years), teens male/female (16 years), and children (6 years). The results revealed that HI values of F through groundwater consuption was > 1 in 39.3% and 16.4% of the samples for children and other age groups (teen and adults), respectively. Similarly, HI values of NO3 for children, adults, and teens were higher than the threshold value in 62.3%, 34.4%, and 39.3% of the samples, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA)revealed that the predominant source of F enrichment in groundwater was geogenic. However, for the NO3 proportion in the region, the potential causes were agricultural activities. Results revealed that the region requires immediate attention, and remedial measures must be implemented to protect residents from the adverse effects of NO3 and F in the district of Khyber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study worked on heavy metals concentrations in sediments of the alpine lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. Sediments samples (n = 41) from alpine lakes: Sadpara Lake, Rama Lake, Upper Kachura Lake, and Shausar Lake were collected. Sediments samples were digested according to standard protocol and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Among heavy metals, Mn exhibited the highest mean concentration (333 mg/kg) in the sediments of alpine lakes, while Cd showed the lowest (1.48 mg/kg). The Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, and Zn showed the highest mean concentrations in Sadpara Lake compared to other lakes. Sediments heavy metals concentrations were used for the calculation of pollution factors of alpine lakes, such as contamination factor (CF), pollution loads index (PLI), and ecological risk assessment (ERA). Among alpine lakes, the Sadpara Lake showed the highest PLI and CF values for most of the heavy metals. However, the highest mean (74.2 and 104) values of ERA and risk index (RI) were noted in the Rama Lake and exhibited a low-level risk to the alpine lake's system. Statistical analyses showed that weathering of bedrock and rich mineralised zone in the vicinity were dominating contributors of heavy metals contaminations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]