DETERMINATION OF Pb, Cd AND Cr LEVELS IN THE DRINKING GROUNDWATER FROM UBARI AND WADI ETBAH AREAS, FEZZAN, LIBYA

Abstract

This Studyconducted to measure the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) in drinking water wells. 17 sampleswerecollectedfrom one well in Tekerkiba village in Ubari area, and the samenumber of sampleswerecollectedfrom the Hamandywell in Tasawa village thatlocated in WadiUtbah area in June 2021. Metals concentration in water sampleswereanalyzedusing Flame Atomic Spectroscopy ( FASS ). The resultsshowedthat the mean concentration of Pb ( 0.15 mg/L ) in the samplesfromUbariwaslowerthan Pb levels (0.22 mg/L ) in the samplescollectedfrom Wadi Etbah area while the mean concentration of Cd in the samples of Wadi Etbahwasexactlysimilar to that in Ubari area with a value of 0.13 mg/L although, Cd was not detectedin 14 water samples of bothwells. The concentration of Cr in all sampleswashigherthan the threshold of Cr levels in drinking water. Therefore, mean concentrations of all studiedmetals in the samples of bothwellsweregreaterthan the standard values mentioned by world HealthOrganization (WHO) and LibyanHealth Organization ( LHO ).