GIS Applications in Monitoring and Managing Heavy Metal Contamination of Water Resources
Source abstract
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination of aquatic systems represents a critical environmental and public health concern due to the persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulative potential of these elements. Geographic information systems (GISs) have emerged as indispensable tools for the spatial assessment and management of heavy metals (HMs) in water resources. This review systematically synthesizes current research on GIS applications in detecting, monitoring, and modeling heavy metal pollution in surface and groundwater. A bibliometric analysis highlights five principal research directions: (i) global research trends on GISs and heavy metals in water, (ii) occurrence of HMs in relation to World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, (iii) GIS-based modeling frameworks for contamination assessment, (iv) identification of pollution sources, and (v) health risk evaluations through geospatial analyses. Case studies demonstrate the adaptability of GISs across multiple spatial scales, ranging from localized aquifers and river basins to regional hydrological systems, with frequent integration of advanced statistical techniques, remote sensing data, and machine learning approaches. Evidence indicates that concentrations of some HMs often surpass WHO thresholds, posing substantial risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, GIS-supported analyses increasingly function as decision support systems, providing actionable insights for policymakers, environmental managers, and public health authorities. The synthesis presented herein confirms that the GIS is evolving beyond a descriptive mapping tool into a predictive, integrative framework for environmental governance. Future research directions should focus on coupling GISs with real-time monitoring networks, artificial intelligence, and transdisciplinary collaborations to enhance the precision, accessibility, and policy relevance of heavy metal risk assessments in water resources.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Water Quality Monitoring and Analysis · Water Quality and Pollution Assessment
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environmental, Dunarea de Jos University Galati, Domneasca Street no. 47, 800008 Galati, Romania
Rexdan Research Infrastructure, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania
Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 47 Domnească Street, 800008 Galati, Romania
Romanian Academy, “Costin C. Kiritescu” National Institute for Economic, Calea 13 Septembrie nr. 13, Casa Academiei Române, 050711 Bucuresti, Romania
National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Dracea”, Eroilor 128, 077190 Voluntari, Romania
Faculty of Automation, Computer Sciences, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University Galati, Domneasca Street No. 111, 800201 Galati, Romania
Funding
Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI—UEFISCDI · Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization, within the Nucleu FORCLIMSOC Programme
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