Abstract
Concentration of trace elements and natural gross radioactivity were measured in the drinking water in Jizan region (Saudi Arabia). A preliminary study on trace elements (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co, Se, Sr, V, Ti, Mo, Hg, Cd, Ba, As, Al and Pb) concentrations and natural radioactivity related to gross-α and gross-β radiations in the drinking water were determined. The obtained results showed that, in general, the trace elements concentrations in water did not exceed WHO [1], and GSO [2] guidelines. Generally, heavy metals concentration of the drinking water were found to be in the sequence of Sr > Ti > Fe > Al > Zn > Ba > As > Cu > Mo > Ni > Cr > Co > Se >Hg > Mn, respectively. The results of this study indicated that a general absence of serious pollution in the drinking water used in this region. The results obtained from the radioactivity determination indicate that the drinking water radioactivity concentration of gross-α and gross-β were ranging from 0.06±0.001 to 0.45±0.03 Bq/l and from 0.05±0.006 to 2.95±0.23 Bq/l, respectively. The gross alpha values were found to fall below the GSO and WHO recommended MCL of 0.5 Bq/l while the gross beta values in two samples only exceeds the MCL value of 1 Bq/l, respectively.
Highlights
Water is very important for our life
The study results reveals that; all the values of the gross alpha activity concentrations are within the recommended upper limit value of 0.5 Bq/l while all the values of the gross beta activity concentrations are lower than recommended upper limit value of 1Bq/l except two samples
The gross alpha and beta activity concentrations in portable drinking water samples collected from the different areas in Jizan region were determined to investigate the radiological burden to the population
Summary
Water is very important for our life. It forms 50 to 60% in weight of our body and play an active role in all the vital processes of our body. One of the many pollutants in the environment is heavy metals. The presence of heavy metals in atmosphere is due to a natural and an anthropogenic origin. Heavy metals are among the most toxic pollutants present in marine, groundwater and industrial wastewater. The source of heavy metals in environment, and in water systems has been attributed primarily to man made sources, such as agricultural activities and stack emissions from industrial sources. While the toxic metal compounds turned back to earth arrive to surface waters with river, rain and snow waters, they may be mixed to groundwater by filtering from soil
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