Measurements of Heavy Metals in Tap Water

Abstract

Metal are present in environment parts in low concentration. The presences of heavy metals pollution in water has negative impacts not only aquatic ecosystems but also represent serious problems for human health. Metal contamination in water is a major component in the determination of water quality. The object is this study was the analysis and identification of heavy metals in tap water at the Tirana city. During this survey we were collected samples at different points of the water supply, from sources of water, storage of water and in the consumer from different locations in Tirana city. The analyses of heavy metals in representatives sampling of water were performed at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana. Water samples were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to determine the concentration of total metal. The current study reports the presence of few heavy metals in the analyzed tap water samples, although it should be mentioned that their concentrations are quite low. From results obtained can be observed that the measured concentrations are lower than the Maximum Contaminant Levels specified by the Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization.