Exploration of trace elements in groundwater and associated human health risk in Chattogram City of Bangladesh

The study aimed to evaluate trace metals in the groundwater of Chattogram City located on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh and assess their potential health risks. Given the city's unique characteristics as both a coastal and industrial hub in Bangladesh, a knowledge gap persists particularly in the assessment of trace metals. A random sampling technique was applied to collect one hundred and seventeen groundwater samples from different wards of the city to analyze some trace metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and the quality of the collected water samples was evaluated using different indices, such as Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI), Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), and Degree of Contamination (Cd). The average…