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Trace Level Determination of U, Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in Drinking Water Samples

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 112, pages 283–292 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

The concentration of uranium has been assessed in drinking water samples collected from different locations in Bathinda district, Punjab, India. The water samples are taken from hand pumps and tube wells. Uranium is determined using fission track technique. Uranium concentration in the water samples varies from 2.23± 0.05 to 87.05± 0.29 μg/L. These values are compared with safe limit values recommended for drinking water. The uranium concentration in almost all drinking water samples is found to be more than the safe limit. Analysis of some heavy metals viz. Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in water is made. The concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and total hardness along with the pH value and conductivity of the water samples are measured. Some of the samples show stunningly high values of these parameters.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India

    Mukesh Kumar & Surinder Singh

  2. Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India

    Rakesh Kumar Mahajan

Authors
  1. Mukesh Kumar
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  2. Surinder Singh
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  3. Rakesh Kumar Mahajan
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Correspondence to Surinder Singh.

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Kumar, M., Singh, S. & Mahajan, R.K. Trace Level Determination of U, Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in Drinking Water Samples. Environ Monit Assess 112, 283–292 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-1069-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-1069-6

Keywords

  • fission track technique
  • heavy metals
  • radioactivity
  • safe limit
  • toxicity
  • uranium