Determination of Common Ions and Heavy Metals in Bottled Mineral Water Consumed in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The inorganic compositions of three (Ambo, Aquaddis and Highland) brands of bottled
mineral water and tap water samples from different sources that are consumed in Addis
Ababa (Ethiopia) were analyzed using standard methods. FAAS was used for the
determination of four heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Cd and Zn); Cd and Cr were not detected in
all samples. Ion chromatography was used for the determination of common cations (Na+,
K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) and common anions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3
-, SO4
2-and PO4
3-) in the bottled
mineral water and tap water samples. Common cations were found to be higher in Ambo
mineral water than other two mineral water samples, some of the anions were not
detected in some of the mineral water samples; phosphate was not detected at all. The
composition of the mineral waters was also compared with that of the tap water. Fe and
Zn were higher concentration in tap water as compared to mineral waters and the reverse
was true in the case of common cations and anions. Some brands of bottled mineral water
with respect to some of the analytes were found not to comply with international
guidelines for drinking water and may not be suitable for babies and people suffering
from heart or kidney diseases. Some physical parameters, pH and electric conductivity of
each water sample were determined; pH in some samples found to be below the lower
limit of WHO guideline.
Keywords: FAAS, IC, Bottled mineral water, Heavy metals, Common cations and
anions, Physical parameters
Description
Keywords
FAAS, IC, Bottled mineral water, Heavy metals, Common cations and anions, Physical parameters