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Contamination of nitrate in groundwater and its potential human health: a case study of lower Mae Klong river basin, Thailand

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Abstract

Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a worldwide problem especially in agricultural countries. Environmental factors, such as land-use pattern, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity, affect the level of contamination. Exposure to high levels of nitrate in groundwater may contribute to adverse health effects among residents who use groundwater for consumption. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nitrate levels in groundwater with land-use pattern, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity, in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, lower Mae Klong basin, Thailand. Health risk maps were created based on hazard quotient to quantify the potential health risk of the residents using US Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) health risk assessment model. The results showed the influence of land-use patterns, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity on nitrate contamination. It was found that most of the residents in the studied area were not at risk; however, a groundwater nitrate monitoring system should be implemented.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express sincere appreciation to the Groundwater Analysis Division, Department of Groundwater Resources, for support with groundwater sample analysis.

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The authors declare that the manuscript is in compliance with ethical standards.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kampangsaen District, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand

    Jaturong Wongsanit

  2. Faculty of Environment and Resources Studies, Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Piyakarn Teartisup & Prapeut Kerdsueb

  3. Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Prapin Tharnpoophasiam & Suwalee Worakhunpiset

  4. Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Suwalee Worakhunpiset

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  1. Jaturong Wongsanit
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  2. Piyakarn Teartisup
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Correspondence to Suwalee Worakhunpiset.

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Wongsanit, J., Teartisup, P., Kerdsueb, P. et al. Contamination of nitrate in groundwater and its potential human health: a case study of lower Mae Klong river basin, Thailand. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 11504–11512 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4347-4

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