Electrochemical Determination of Heavy Metals Present in Groundwater on Glassy Carbon Electrode

Abstract

Determination of water quality is one of the most important aspects in groundwater studies. People around the world have used groundwater as a source of drinking water, and even today more than half the world's population depends on groundwater for survival. Higher concentrations of heavy metals presentation is very serious problem as these metals leach into ground water or soil, which is detrimental to human health. Ground water pollution is a consequence of several activities like chemical manufacturing, painting and coating and mining. Metals exert a deleterious effect on fauna and flora of lakes and streams. The present studies, determination of metals were carried out from both well and borewell water of Neyveli of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu (India). Method was used as differential pulse anodic stripping voltammeter (DPASV) at glassy carbon electrode (GCE) vs Ag/AgCl. Determination of heavy metals was done in pH 4.0. The samples were subjected to analysis for elements like Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, As and Cu by using electrochemical technique for determination of trace metal concentration up to 1 part per million (ppm). The concentrations of these metals in the study area were compared with drinking water quality limits given by the World Health Organization (WHO).