Metal Contamination of Different Water Categories and Surface Soil Near Thermal Power Plants at Varied Geographic Sites of India and Their Health Risk Assessment

The present study aimed to examine elemental contamination near the residential areas of four coal thermal power plants in India. Water and surface soil samples were collected from various geographic sites around Chennai, Korba, Rupnagar, and Udupi power plants. The study identified aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in water and soil samples. Further, soil morphology was also studied using the SEM and EDX. Additionally, using non-cancerous and cancerous risk indices, human health hazards through consuming contaminated water and soil were estimated. Results indicated that Fe and Mn concentrations in water exceeded the standard limits, i.e ., the Fe (0.36 mg/l) at site 2 (Chennai), 0.490 mg/l at site 1, and 1.907 mg/l at site 3 (Udupi), while Mn was found as 0.28 mg/l at site 4 (Chennai), 0.27 mg/l at site 3 (Udupi), and 1.52 mg/l at site 4 (Rupnagar). In the case of soil, the maximum metal concentration (mg/kg) was found in Rupnagar, followed by Chennai, Korba, and Udupi. The hazard index (HI) for non-cancerous and cancerous risks was found within the USEPA standard limits, indicating insignificant health risks to the adjoining population of coal thermal power plants. This study provides baseline information regarding the elemental composition in water and soil and the associated health risk status around Indian coal thermal power plants.