Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment and their consumption can create a potential hazard to human health, Lebanon is one of the richest countries in the Middle East. This study was undertaken to assess some ...Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment and their consumption can create a potential hazard to human health, Lebanon is one of the richest countries in the Middle East. This study was undertaken to assess some of the heavy metals in drinking ground water of north Lebanon. Forty five ground water samples were collected from three different areas, the region of Bcharreh, a high mountain area, the region of Bessebaal, a semi industrial area and the region of Chekka, a sea level highly industrial area. Lead, chromium, zinc and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrometer. This study revealed high concentration of lead in the Bessebaal and Chekka areas （0.1328 mg/L, 0.3751 mg/L, respectively）; whereas chromium was estimated to be high in all three regions, 0.2429 mg/L, 0.2249 mg/L and 0.2443 mg/L in Bcharreh, Bessebaal and Chekka, respectively. Alternatively zinc showed a high concentration only in Bessebaal and Chekka （0.3715 mg/L, 0.3216 mg/L, respectively）, while, a low level of zinc （0.0393 mg/L） was detected in Bcharreh. As for copper, it was only detected in Chekka （0.0019 mg/L）.This study shined the light on the importance of heavy metals screening in our drinking water hence suggesting the developing of a successful programs for testing the quality of water sources before using it for drinking purpose.展开更多
文摘Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment and their consumption can create a potential hazard to human health, Lebanon is one of the richest countries in the Middle East. This study was undertaken to assess some of the heavy metals in drinking ground water of north Lebanon. Forty five ground water samples were collected from three different areas, the region of Bcharreh, a high mountain area, the region of Bessebaal, a semi industrial area and the region of Chekka, a sea level highly industrial area. Lead, chromium, zinc and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrometer. This study revealed high concentration of lead in the Bessebaal and Chekka areas （0.1328 mg/L, 0.3751 mg/L, respectively）; whereas chromium was estimated to be high in all three regions, 0.2429 mg/L, 0.2249 mg/L and 0.2443 mg/L in Bcharreh, Bessebaal and Chekka, respectively. Alternatively zinc showed a high concentration only in Bessebaal and Chekka （0.3715 mg/L, 0.3216 mg/L, respectively）, while, a low level of zinc （0.0393 mg/L） was detected in Bcharreh. As for copper, it was only detected in Chekka （0.0019 mg/L）.This study shined the light on the importance of heavy metals screening in our drinking water hence suggesting the developing of a successful programs for testing the quality of water sources before using it for drinking purpose.
