Determination of heavy and essential elements in tap water using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in Kembata Tembaro Zone: SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

An appropriate level of concentration of elements in the human body is vital for its proper functioning. The measurement of both heavy and essential elements determines the quality of the water that tremendously correlated with the health of the consumers. In this study, the concentration levels of five essential metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg and Zn) and three heavy metals (Pb, Hg and Cd) were determined in the tap water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique after pre-concentration and acid digestion. The result of the study had revealed that the concentrations of metals in the tap water samples (in mg/L) were in the ranges of: Ca (16.52-24.74), K (8.43-11.44), Mg (5.10-11.30), Na (18.89-28.62), Pb (0.02- 0.03), Zn (1.22-2.44), Cd (0.01) and Hg ( 0.04-0.05). The concentrations of essential elements were very small as compared to their recommended value by USEPA/WHO while the concentration of heavy metals were above the maximum levels recommended by EPA, WHO and USEPA. Thus, it can be concluded that this water requires treatment for heavy metals before used by the community.