Chemometric Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination in Water Sources: A Risk Assessment Approach

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in water sources is a major environmental and public health concern, necessitating advanced analytical techniques for effective assessment and mitigation. This study systematically reviews chemometric approaches used to evaluate heavy metal pollution, focusing on pollution indices, multivariate statistical techniques, and risk assessment models. The methodology involved an extensive review of peer-reviewed literature from databases such as Elsevier, Springer, and MDPI, with inclusion criteria emphasizing studies on heavy metal contamination, risk evaluation, and chemometric applications in water quality analysis. Findings indicate that heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) are prevalent contaminants, with pollution levels varying across regions. Chemometric methods, including cluster and factor analysis, principal component analysis, and Monte Carlo simulations, have proven effective in identifying pollution sources, assessing health risks, and guiding remediation strategies. The study highlights the necessity of integrating chemometric tools into water quality management frameworks to improve contamination monitoring and develop targeted mitigation measures.