Detection of Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb) and Bacterial Contamination in Drinking Water

Author: Muhammad Waseem Khan1, Maria Khalid2, HabibUllah3, Hameed Ur Rehman4, Yasir Ayaz5, Faheem Ullah5, Muhammad Ayub Jadoon6, Muhammad Waqas6 and Salma Afridi6

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Abstract

Contamination of drinking water due to heavy metals and microbial growth is one of the most important concerns that have received attention locally and globally due to its toxicological effect on environment as well as on public health and is an emerging problem in District Quetta. Concentration of Arsenic (As) and Antimony (Sb) along with the bacterial contamination (Colony Forming Unit) in the drinking water of District Quetta were investigated with different parameters. The Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AASP) flame emission technique was used to analyze the concentration of heavy metals. Based on the study results, it was concluded that most of the drinking water samples were found fit for consumption with respect to the aesthetic and physiochemical water quality parameters but generally poor with respect to the bacterial contamination due to intermittent water supply, polluted sewerage pipes, leakage of pipes and contamination of shallow water tables due to human activities. Wate

Keywords

Water; Heavy Metals; Physiochemical; Microbial; Elements

Conclusion

Based on study results, it is concluded that most of the drinking water samples in the surveyed area of Quetta district were found fit for consumption with respect to physicochemical and aesthetic water quality parameters but drinking water quality due to bacterial contamination in Quetta District is generally poor. None of the samples were safe from bacterial contamination. On average, Antimony (Sb) was above the WHO standard limits in the drinking water of almost all the areas of District Quetta. Water samples collected from tube wells had less concentration of Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb) and bacterial contamination than water sample collected from Home (Tap) Water.

References

Water (H20) is an essential element for life and is vital for the survival of living organisms and plants (Alissa and Ferns, 2011). Water is the most widely distributed substance on earth; life would not have advanced without water on earth (Aydin et al., 2013). Physically and apparently uncontaminated pure water is colourless, tasteless and odourless (Pappas, 2011). The quality of drinking water is of greatest concern worldwide and access to safe drinking water is a major issue in developing and undeveloped countries. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report, about 780 million people worldwide do not have access to adequate safe water; on consequences every year more than 2.2 million people from developing countries succumb to death from diseases that are mainly associated with the lack of access to safe drinking water (Berisha et al., 2013; WHO, 2014). Access to safe drinking water is a major concern in Pakistan (Azizullah et al., 2011). Only 25.61% population of the co

How to cite this article

Muhammad Waseem Khan, Maria Khalid, HabibUllah, Hameed Ur Rehman, Yasir Ayaz, Faheem Ullah, Muhammad Ayub Jadoon, Muhammad Waqas and Salma Afridi (2017). Detection of Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb) and Bacterial Contamination in Drinking Water. Biological F