Uranium contamination and health risk assessment in a mining prone semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

The Khetri copper belt located in state of Rajasthan, India is geologically mineral rich region. Both metallic (e.g. Cu and Fe) and non-metallic (e.g. marble and granite) mines are actively found in the region. The present study was carried out to assess U contamination in groundwater and its probable health (chemical and radiological risk) impacts on local community in the mining region due to its consumption. Groundwater samples were collected and analysed for U content using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It is observed that U concentration exceeds WHO permissible limits (30 ppb) at approximately 30% of locations suggesting an urgent need of actions to prevent further contamination. The calculated values of chemical (hazard quotient) and radiological (excess cancer risk) risk among the adults and children exceed the Indian permissible limits (1.67 × 10 − 4 ) at some locations suggesting high probability of adverse health impacts on local community. The principal component analysis shows positive association between U and EC (PC3 accounting 11.47% of total variance) indicating a significant contribution of mineral dissolution in enhancing the concentration of U. The higher concentration of U in hilly terrain may be attributed to variation in oxic conditions created by groundwater depletion. To prevent the deterioration of water quality, the proper water management policies and strategies should be implemented in the anthropogenically influenced regions.