Physicochemical Profiling of Urban Water Contaminants in Aligarh: Health Risk Assessment of Emerging Environmental Pollutants

Abstract

Urban water contamination constitutes one of the most significant threats to public health and environmental sustainability, especially in rapidly growing cities like Aligarh. The present study investigates the physicochemical characteristics of urban water contaminants with Aligarh at its focus, with special focus on emerging pollutants like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, and industrial effluents. For the research, water samples were taken from rivers and groundwater and supplemented by municipal supply sources. The analyses were carried out considering the concentration of the given pollutants. Standard analytical techniques used in the analysis included atomic absorption spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry for quantification of the contaminants. It considers various sources of pollution, including domestic sewage, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff, and identifies their influence on water quality. Based on the risk assessment arising from the levels of pollutants detected, the activity considered their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative potential. The results are alarming, ranging from the high concentration levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury to the levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products above the permissible limits. High risks to human health and the aquatic ecosystem posed by emerging pollutants in urban water systems urgently call for integrated water management strategies and more stringent regulations. It recommends future monitoring and policy development in protecting public health and making water resources sustainable in Aligarh.