Asmoay et al. 2025 — Groundwater geochemistry and health risk, Wadi Ranyah, Saudi Arabia
Seventy-seven groundwater samples from Wadi Ranyah, the primary water source for communities in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia, were analyzed for physicochemical properties, major ions, and heavy metal concentrations. While most parameters met WHO standards, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel concentrations exceeded permissible limits in a subset of samples. Health risk assessment using US EPA models found significant noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly for children, with oral ingestion accounting for the majority of exposure and arsenic and lead being the most hazardous metals. The authors conclude groundwater in Wadi Ranyah is unsuitable for drinking without treatment, recommending reverse osmosis and ion exchange filtration.
Key numbers
Physicochemical analysis identified two dominant water types: SO4·Cl-Ca·Mg and HCO3-Ca·Mg, influenced by ion exchange, evaporite dissolution, and silicate weathering. Metals exceeding WHO permissible limits included As, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni in selected samples. Carcinogenic risk was found to be significant for children from As and Cr (VI) exposure via oral ingestion; dermal exposure risks were comparatively lower. Exact concentration values (ppb) for individual metals in specific samples are reported in tables in the source document; the paper reports results using WHO guidelines and US EPA HQ and TCR indices.
Methods (brief)
ICP-MS and related analytical methods; health risk assessment conducted using US EPA models including Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR). Hydrochemical classification via Piper and Durov diagrams; GIS-based spatial analysis.
Implications
Certification: groundwater arsenic and lead exceedances in this study are relevant to understanding supply-chain contamination pathways for agricultural inputs (irrigation water quality); not a direct food-matrix study.
Courses: useful as a case study for health risk assessment methodology using US EPA indices applied to non-US contexts.
App: not directly applicable; matrices are drinking water and groundwater, not food ingredients.