| Abstrakt: |
The evaluation of the groundwater quality some areas in Albania presents a special importance because of unauthorized use as drinking water. Ex. The aim of this research was to investigate the groundwater quality in one area in Albania, based on the EU requirement relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption and EU requirement for the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of the drinking water. Fifteen wells were randomly selected in the PatosMarinza area located in the western lowlands of Albania of the Fier district and were analyzed for general physico-chemical and chemical parameters following the standard methods, according to the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water” (APHA/AWWA, 1995). The human health risk assessment, established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, was also performed to quantify the potential non-carcinogenic impacts of nitrate on human health through the ingestion of groundwater. The chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and the hazard index inducing from nitrate (HI nitrate) were estimated for different age groups (6 - 12 months, 6 - 11 years, 11 - 16 years, 16 - 18 years, 18 - 21 years, 21 - 65 years, and ≥ 65 years). Water from these resources meets the A1 category requirements for the measured parameters and may be used as drinking water after the necessary treatments, with the exception of well No. 8, which is mainly categorized as A2 category. The human health risk assessment results among the studied groups revealed that infants are more vulnerable through the direct ingestion of drinking water than children and adults. The results of physico-chemical parameters, major ions and heavy metals revealed that the groundwater of the study area needs adequate treatment before consumption, and it also needs to be protected from the contamination. These results are especially useful for decision makers providing them with general risk information and allow to take appropriate decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
