DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN DRINKING WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES OF BASRAH CITY

Abstract

Samples from different types of containers (i.e., tankers, tanks and cooler drinking water) from different places in Basrah city are collected for the period 1/10/2008 to 1/4/2009 to perform laboratory studying in order to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Zinc, Copper, Mercury and Nickel) in these samples of water and to study the effect of these containers on this water. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique is used to obtain the results. The results are compared with the permissible limit concentrations specified by WHO (World Health Organization). According to WHO basis, the present work shows that all types of containers are contaminated by heavy metal, specially Lead, Copper and Nickel which causes severe effect on human health and body organs. The data are treated with simple statistics by using of cluster analysis. The interpretations of the applied methods (laboratory tests and cluster) confirm each other and the heavy metals are divided into two groups, one of them violates the permissible limits of WHO and the other group are less than the permissible limits. The research recommended the necessary recycling cleaning to all types of containers, exposure to aeration every three days and replaces the drinking water every day.