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<p>Climate change has led to shift in the weather patterns around the world, resulting in natural calamities such as flooding and glacier melting, resulting in life losses and economic burdens. This study attempted to assess the impacts of the 2022 superflood in Pakistan in terms of heavy metal (HM) contamination in the most comprehensive way. A total of sixty (n = 60) samples were collected including thirty (n = 30) water samples (groundwater and surface water), and thirty (n = 30) sediment and agricultural soil samples from the Charsadda and Nowshehra districts. Physicochemical parameters comprising pH, Total Dissolved solids (TDS), and Electrical Conductivity (EC), were measured in the water samples using an electrochemical analyzer, while HMs were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The groundwater samples presented significant HM levels, with Cr, Ni and Pb exceeding permissible WHO and USEPA limits. The Water Quality Index classified Charsadda’s water as unsuitable for drinking and Nowshehra’s as poor quality. Sediments at Charsadda were highly contaminated with Cd, Cu, and Pb, while Cr and Ni were high in Nowshehra. Significant contamination was observed in agricultural soils and sediments, particularly regarding Cd, Pb, and Ni. The Geo-accumulation Index indicated extreme Cd contamination and heavy pollution for Ni and Pb, while high Contamination Degree and Pollution Load Index (PLI) values confirmed severe post flood contamination. This assessment is the first to comprehensively cover the ecological impacts of the 2022 superflood in Pakistan in terms of HM deposition and contamination.</p>

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A comprehensive assessment of heavy metal pollution in flood-affected areas in Pakistan: a case study of the 2022 superflood through pollution and water quality indices

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月22日

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  • Nida Gul,
  • Nazish Huma Khan,
  • Nasir Mehmood,
  • Muhammad Idrees,
  • Carlos A. T. Toloza,
  • Eman Alzahrani,
  • Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis,
  • Sarzamin Khan

摘要

Climate change has led to shift in the weather patterns around the world, resulting in natural calamities such as flooding and glacier melting, resulting in life losses and economic burdens. This study attempted to assess the impacts of the 2022 superflood in Pakistan in terms of heavy metal (HM) contamination in the most comprehensive way. A total of sixty (n = 60) samples were collected including thirty (n = 30) water samples (groundwater and surface water), and thirty (n = 30) sediment and agricultural soil samples from the Charsadda and Nowshehra districts. Physicochemical parameters comprising pH, Total Dissolved solids (TDS), and Electrical Conductivity (EC), were measured in the water samples using an electrochemical analyzer, while HMs were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The groundwater samples presented significant HM levels, with Cr, Ni and Pb exceeding permissible WHO and USEPA limits. The Water Quality Index classified Charsadda’s water as unsuitable for drinking and Nowshehra’s as poor quality. Sediments at Charsadda were highly contaminated with Cd, Cu, and Pb, while Cr and Ni were high in Nowshehra. Significant contamination was observed in agricultural soils and sediments, particularly regarding Cd, Pb, and Ni. The Geo-accumulation Index indicated extreme Cd contamination and heavy pollution for Ni and Pb, while high Contamination Degree and Pollution Load Index (PLI) values confirmed severe post flood contamination. This assessment is the first to comprehensively cover the ecological impacts of the 2022 superflood in Pakistan in terms of HM deposition and contamination.