Correction: Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in coastal aquifer groundwater of Alappuzha district (Kerala, India) using OSPRC framework

Correction to: Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37477-z, published online 31 January 2026

The original version of this Article contained errors.

In the Abstract, the proposed Origin-Source-Pathways-Receptor-Consequence (OSPRC) framework was described as a replicable model. However, OSPRC is intended to be qualitative rather than quantitative. To avoid confusion, the statement has been rephrased to indicate its qualitative feature.

Consequently,

“The findings in this study deliver a replicable model for integrating risk-based assessment frameworks like OSPRC into groundwater management practices for policymakers, public health authorities, and local communities to prioritize interventions for developing sustainable and long-term solutions.”

now reads:

“The findings in this study deliver a replicable and qualitative model for integrating risk-based assessment frameworks like OSPRC into groundwater management practices for policymakers, public health authorities, and local communities to prioritize interventions for developing sustainable and long-term solutions.”

Moreover, in the ‘Results and discussion’ section, under the subheading ‘Comprehensive delineation of contaminant distribution mechanisms through the OSPRC framework’, the arsenic WHO limit was given as 0.1 mg/l. The correct value should be 0.01 mg/l.

As a result,

“The groundwater of both seasons contained As beyond the drinking permissible limit (0.1 mg/l) of WHO at locations of AWS 12, 13, 25, 14, and 40.”

now reads:

“The groundwater of both seasons contained As beyond the drinking permissible limit (0.01 mg/l) of WHO at locations of AWS 12, 13, 25, 14, and 40.”

The original Article has been corrected.