ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rivers are vital ecosystems supporting numerous communities by supplying water for industry, agriculture, and drinking, and they also maintain diverse aquatic and terrestrial life. However, pollution from urban growth, agricultural runoff, and industrial w aste are increasingly threatening the health of river basins worldwide. The present study investigates the extent of pollution in the Tungabhadra River, focusing on water quality, soil health, and their impact on human health. Extensive utilization of the river’s resources has degraded its quality, posing health risks. The water quality of this river basin was evaluated from 30 sampling stations through a Water Quality Index (WQI) WQI), and Irrigation Suitability Ind ices . Analysis shows that downstream river sections have water quality ranging from unsuitable to poor, while upstream areas near the Western Ghats exhibit good to excellent quali ty and the p arameters such as total hardness, alkalinity, turbidity, sodium, fluoride, nitrate, chloride, and ammonia exceed BIS (2012) limits. Irrigation indices like SAR, KR, SSP, & PS suggest unsuitable water quality in down stream areas due to excessive agrochemical use. The Gibbs plot confirmed the causes of pollution as evaporation, rock weathering, and anthropogenic activities, and the water type was identified as sodium potassium chloride bicarbonate by the Piper diagram. The extent of pollution in s oil was assessed from 20 soil samples using various geochemical assessment indices like contamination factor, degree of contamination, pollution load index, crustal enrichment factor, and geoaccumulation index. These g eochemical indices revea led low to mod erate soil pollution, with moderate enrichment of Zr, Y, and Ni and high chemical weathering rates. Elevated concentrations of metal oxides and trace elements like V, Ni, P, Al, and Cr were found in an exceeding limit generated from agrochemical use and industrial discharge. Health risk assessments show high risks for adults and children downstream in the river water due to metals like Mn, B, and F , and significant risks for children from Cr and V in soil. The findings underscor e the urgent need for targeted environmental management to mitigate pollution and protect public health through stricter industrial regulations, improved waste management, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement in conservation efforts.
