Effect of Water Source on Human Health: a Case Study from Biga Peninsula, Turkey

Abstract

The concentrations of certain elements including arsenic (As), fluoride (F) and aluminum (AI) were measured in groundwater in the different part of Biga Peninsula which is located in the western parts of Turkey. The concentration values of As and AI in groundwater ranged between 10-40 ppb, 0.5-0.8 ppm and 1-11.5 ppm, respectively, in this region. Al values exceed the Turkish drinking water standard value of 0.2 ppm. Furthermore, As concentration in water from alteration zones exceed the drinking water standard value of 10 ppb. Based on this background, this study was intended to investigate the source of these heavy metals and its neurotoxin effects on human health as many people living in this region have undergone medical treatment, which are believed to be related to the quality of water resources originating from densely altered volcanic rocks.