Comparison of characteristics, water quality and health risk assessment of trace elements in surface water and groundwater in China

Water quality is closely associated with human health and socio-economic sustainable development. With the increasingly intensive anthropogenic activities, pollutants especially trace elements, enter water aquatic system cause harm to humans. This study conducted first systematic comparison on pollution status of surface groundwater in China. risk assessment 12 elements were evaluated according index (WQI), hazard quotient (HQ), (HI), carcinogenic (CR). The results showed that average values majority higher than those groundwater. WQI demonstrated 86.02% 83.11% suitable for drinking water. Arsenic served as predominant pollutant contributed significantly non‑carcinogenic both groundwater, children more vulnerable adverse effects adults. In water, priority non-carcinogenic sites mainly distributed Anning River, Taizi Middle reaches Huai River Jilin section Songhua River. For high-risk located Huhhot Basin, Kuitun, Jianghan Plain, Datong Basin Yucheng County. posed potential local resident some sites, it presented More concerns should be paid Songhua, Yangtze Basins, addition, Pearl, Southeast Coastal, Southwest Northwest Basins still need attention. future work carried out extensive range long-term monitoring particular, attention dedicated assess high As bodies.