Heavy Metal Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling Area in Buriram, Thailand

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, As, Mn and Zn) were investigated around e-waste dismantling areas. The first area was in Dang-Yai subdistrict (DY), Ban Mai Chaiyaphot district and the second was in Ban Pao subdistrict (BP), Phutthaisong district. Both areas were in Buriram province, Thailand. Concentration of eight heavy metals in surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) samples during the dry season were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), respectively. Results show that the surface water was contaminated with Mn, As, Pb and Cu. For Mn (0.395 mg/L) indicated the highest concentration around the WEEE dumping site, while the groundwater was slightly contaminated with Mn (0.020 mg/L) in the domestic water supply. In addition, the contamination of Cu and Pb found in DY-SW1 could be from WEEE. Although, the concentration of all heavy metals under investigation were within the permissible levels. However, continual monitoring of the contaminated surface water and groundwater is necessary to prevent the dissemination of heavy metals.