Title: Groundwater quality and urolithiasis

Abstract

Medical geology is a fast expanding field of research that investigates the co-occurrence of many pollutants in the environment and the resulting health hazards. The goal of this study was to determine the link between drinking water salinity and the creation of urinary stones (urolithiasis) in those who drink it, as well as the impact of water quality on urinary stone formation. Compared with neighboring areas, the prevalence of urinary stones in the study area selected. A total of 87 volunteers were recruited. Drinking water samples were taken from water sources used by clinically identified urinary stone patients and healthy people. Field measurements of physicochemical parameters were made on site during the sampling process. The concentrations of major and minor ions in the water samples were determined using other hydrochemical parameters. The water quality parameters in the patients’ regions increased as the total dissolved salts (TDS) increased. The anions in the area were in the order of HCO3-> Cl-> SO42-, whereas the cations were in the order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+. The findings indicate that deep groundwater is of superior quality when compared with shallow water. The results suggest a significant risk of urolithiasis among the residents. To minimize the threats to human well being, public authorities should act immediately to supply clean drinking water to the residents.