We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hydrogeochemistry and Health Risks Assessment of Some Groundwaters Suitability for Drinking Within the Urban Region of Unguja Island, Zanzibar
Summary
Researchers assessed groundwater quality and health risks in Zanzibar, finding contamination from nitrates, heavy metals, and microbial sources in wells used for drinking. While focused on chemical and microbial contaminants, groundwater in coastal regions is increasingly being assessed for microplastic contamination as well.
Majority of the Island inhabitants depends on groundwaters for drinking therefore the hydrogeochemistry and health risks assessment with respect to WHO standards is absolutely essential for protection policy formulation. The groundwater samples for analyses were collected from selected four wells within each (Chukwani-Mbweni, DarajaMbovu - Amani and Mwanakwerekwe) suburb during the moderate rainy season of January 2020. The selection was based on their strategic positions taking into consideration relevant geographical and environmental factors commensurable with this study. Various contaminants and physiochemical parameters were determined using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy, GC/MS, Temp/pH/TDS/EC meter and DR/3900 spectrophotometer. Chemical Oxygen Demand values were also determined. Microbial contamination was determined using the MPN technique. The results show that these groundwaters are slightly alkaline, microbially contaminated, have high C.O.D. values ranging from 188.5 to 305.7 mg/L indicating the existence of some organic based endocrine disruptive elements, and disparities in water quality parameters with respect to the recommended WHO standards thus ascertaining possible public health risks. The research recommends the need for continuous monitoring, assessment and treatment of these raw groundwaters for drinking at the point of collection rather relying on the old conventional boiling method or drinking as it is.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Groundwater quality and associated health risks in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Researchers assessed groundwater quality across 136 boreholes in eastern Ghana and found that about 32% had poor to unsafe water quality, with contamination from iron, manganese, fluoride, and nitrates. While not focused on microplastics specifically, the study reveals that groundwater relied on by millions of people in developing regions faces multiple contamination threats. These findings connect to microplastics research because plastic particles in soil can also leach into groundwater supplies.
Contamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation
Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.
Microplastics in groundwater: a global analysis
Researchers conducted a global groundwater sampling study to characterize microplastic contamination in aquifer systems worldwide, investigating transport mechanisms and fate of particles in anoxic subsurface environments where knowledge gaps remain despite extensive research on surface water systems.
Drinking plastic: a study of microplastic concentrations in drinking water from rural and urban sources in Mali, Africa
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in drinking water from rural and urban sources in Mali, Africa, finding microplastics in all samples and identifying higher concentrations in urban supplies, with implications for human health in a region with limited water treatment infrastructure.
Microplastic accumulation in groundwater: Data-scaled insights and future research
This data-driven review of nearly 400 groundwater samples worldwide found that microplastics are present in both shallow and deep groundwater, with open groundwater sources showing higher contamination than enclosed aquifers. The findings are relevant to human health because groundwater supplies drinking water for billions of people, and the study identifies key gaps in our understanding of how microplastics accumulate underground.