Application of ICP-MS and various computational methods for drinking water quality assessment from the Silesian District (Southern Poland)

Abstract

In this study, more than 200 samples of drinking water from taps in the Silesian District (southern Poland) were analyzed. Concentrations of As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, Tl and V were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS). The levels of the tested elements generally met European Union regulations. All analytical results were processed using computational methods, including the Pearson and Gini coefficients with the Lorenz curves, one-way ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U test, the variance correlation test and the Spearman’s test. In addition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax and Cluster Analysis with Ward’s Method were applied. It was shown, that some parameters (e.g. hardness and alkalinity) were highly correlated. The score plot described the degree of mineralization of water samples, so the origin of water could be easily determined. In turn, based on the created dendrogram, the division of samples into several groups (with soft, medium and highly mineralized water) could be deduced.

Application of multivariate statistical approach to identify trace elements sources in surface waters: a case study of Kowalskie and Stare Miasto reservoirs, Poland

“…At present, the increasingly common techniques applied in the determination of trace elements in surface waters include inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Barałkiewicz et al 2008 ; Skorek et al 2012 ), characterized by low detectability limits (even at the level of pg/L), high determination precision (below 1% RSD), wide range of calibration curves straightness, and short analysis time compared with other spectroscopic techniques.…”