Research on distribution characteristics and health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the typical aquifers

An organic contaminated site in northwest China was selected to research volatile organic compounds (VOCs) distribution characteristics and human health risk assessment in the typical aquifers. 65 groundwater samples were collected through layered sampling technique. The distribution characteristics and human health risk assessment of aniline and COD in the aquifers was analysed by multivariate statistics, adsorption thermodynamics, three-dimensional interpolation and health risk assessment methods. The results showed that the groundwater in the study area has been polluted. The largest single factor pollution index value of aniline and COD was 305.42 and 90.63 respectively. The contamination plume of aniline and COD in the aquifer was large. The vertical distribution form 7 to 12.7m of aniline and COD was larger and concentration was higher. The total mass of adsorbed aniline in the aquifer was 1.18times than that of dissolved aniline. Aniline in the groundwater would cause carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards to human health. Aniline mainly causes harm to human health through drinking groundwater. © 2023 Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences. All rights reserved.