scholarly journals Investigation of Drinking Water Quality in Kosovo

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatlume Berisha ◽  
Walter Goessler

In the recent years, not much environmental monitoring has been conducted in the territory of Kosovo. This study represents the first comprehensive monitoring of the drinking water situation throughout most of the territory of Kosovo. We present the distribution of major and minor trace elements in drinking water samples from Kosovo. During our study we collected 951 samples from four different sources: private-bored wells; naturally flowing artesian water; pumped-drilled wells; and public water sources (tap water). The randomly selected drinking water samples were investigated by routine water analyses using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for 32 elements (Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, U). Even though there are set guidelines for elemental exposure in drinking water worldwide, in developing countries, such as Kosovo, the lack of monitoring drinking water continues to be an important health concern. This study reports the concentrations of major and minor elements in the drinking water in Kosovo. Additionally, we show the variation of the metal concentration within different sources. Of the 15 regulated elements, the following five elements: Mn, Fe, Al, Ni, As, and U were the elements which most often exceeded the guidelines set by the EU and/or WHO.

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 714-725
Author(s):  
Rajan Jakhu ◽  
Rohit Mehra

Drinking water samples of Jaipur and Ajmer districts of Rajasthan, India, were collected and analyzed for the measurement of concentration of heavy metals. The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of the heavy metals in the drinking water. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used for the determination of the heavy metal concentrations, and for the statistical analysis of the data, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed. It was observed from the results that with respect to WHO guidelines, the water samples of some locations exceeded the contamination levels for lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg), and with reference to the EPA guidelines, the samples were determined unsuitable for drinking because of high concentrations of Pb and Hg. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we determined that copper, manganese, arsenic, Se, and Hg were of anthropogenic origin, while Pb, copper, and cadmium were of geogenic origin. The present study reports the dominance of the anthropogenic contributions over geogenics in the studied area. The sources of the anthropogenic contaminants need to be investigated in a future study.


2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pezzana ◽  
Ph. Vilaginès ◽  
F. Bordet ◽  
D. Coquard ◽  
B. Sarrette ◽  
...  

The method for concentration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in large drinking water samples using the Envirocheck capsule has been optimized for the detection of low levels of oocysts. Elution from the filter by contact time and vortex agitation gave 68% oocyst recovery. Centrifugation (1,250 g; 30 min; 4°C) improved recovery to 94% without morphological damage of the oocysts. Increasing the ratio of magnetic beads to sample volume in the IMS procedure led to 69% efficiency. In these conditions, the overall recovery of the procedure was 49% as assessed with low oocysts spike doses in 100 litres tap water samples. The methodology described allows the detection of 0.1 oocyst per litre when 100 litres samples are processed.


Author(s):  
Maria Orquídia Neves ◽  
José Marques ◽  
Hans G.M. Eggenkamp

There is increasing epidemiologic and experimental evidence that lithium (Li) exhibits significant health benefits, even at concentrations lower than the therapeutic oral doses prescribed as treatment for mental disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the content of Li in 18 brands of bottled natural mineral waters that are available on the Portuguese market and from which the sources are found within the Portuguese territory, to provide data for Li intake from drinking water. Analyses of Li were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results indicate highly different Li concentrations in natural mineral waters: one group with low Li concentrations (up to 11 µg Li/L) and a second group with Li concentrations higher than 100 µg/L. The highest Li concentrations (>1500 µg Li/L) were observed in the highly mineralized Na-HCO3 type waters that are naturally carbonated (>250 mg/L free CO2). As a highly bioavailable source for Li dietary intake these natural mineral waters have potential for Li health benefits but should be consumed in a controlled manner due to its Na and F− contents. The consumption of as little as 0.25 L/day of Vidago natural mineral water (2220 µg Li/L), can contribute up to 50% of the proposed daily requirement of 1 mg Li/day for an adult (70 kg body weight). In future, Li epidemiological studies that concern the potential Li effect or health benefits from Li in drinking water should consider not only the Li intake from tap water but also intake from natural mineral water that is consumed in order to adjust the Li intake of the subjects.


2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Kraic ◽  
Ján Mocák ◽  
Željka Fiket ◽  
Goran Kniewald

AbstractNinety-three water samples were categorized into five classes as the tap, mineral, mineral carbonated, spring, and spring carbonated water, or, alternatively, into four or three categories — with all spring water samples together or as tap, mineral, and spring water, respectively. The samples originated from four European countries and thirty-one chemical descriptors (concentrations of contained elements) were used for their characterization. Analytical measurements were performed by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, allowing the determination of individual nuclides. Different water categories were characterized by chemometrical techniques, mainly by principal component analysis, cluster analysis, linear and quadratic discriminant analyses, correlation analysis, and ANOVA. Their role was to discover the nuclides important for distinct characterization of individual water categories as well as to assess the possibility of water samples from different countries being recognized from the increased/decreased content of some elements. The enhanced content of Cd, Cu, Zn, Bi, and Fe was characteristic for tap water samples, whilst mineral water samples were characterized by the elevated concentration of Sr, Li, B, Ni, Co, As, and Sb. The classification results were successful and close to 100 %, which was proved by the leave-one-out cross-validation procedure.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
RP Ruma ◽  
MH Haque ◽  
MA Zinnah ◽  
MT Hossain ◽  
MT Islam ◽  
...  

The research work was under taken to find out the effect of various treatments on water of different sources with a view to supply safe drinking water for rural poultry and livestock. For that, water of four different sources (lake, river, tap, tube well of BAU campus) were collected during the period from December 2006 to June 2007 and subjected to several treatments with physical (heat) and chemical (Hello tab, bleaching powder, potassium permanganate, alum and acetic acid) means in the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 with a view to get water free from deleterious microorganisms those are easily transmitted through drinking water of the above mentioned sources. Water of all the sources were subjected to microbiological examination before and after treatment. No bacteria was found in the water samples collected from tube well of five places of BAU campus following cultural examination. Gram positive rod shaped bacteria were isolated from the river and tap water of Ishakhan Hall Lake (IHL), Brahmaputra river (BR), Taposhi Rabeya Hall (TRH), Teacher staff quarter (TSQ), Microbiology laboratory (ML) and Bangabandhu Hall (BBH) whereas Gram negative rod shaped bacteria (E. coli) were isolated from the water of IHL, BR and from the tap water of ML and BBH. Gram positive cocci was found only in the tap water of ML. The pre-treatment culture of water samples revealed that the TVC (387 CFU/ml) and TCC (75 CFU/ml) were highest in the water of lake compare to those of other water samples collected from river and taps. As a physical means heat treatment (1000C for 4 to 8 minutes) was highly effective. No single colony was found in all the water samples following treatment with heat. No changes in colour, taste and odour were noticed before and after heat treatment of all the water samples. Among the chemical agents, Hello tab (0.05 g/100 ml) was found to be the most effective to make the water free from all the microbial contamination. The taste, colour and odour of the Hello tab treated water samples were found as normal as safe drinking water. The colour, taste and odour of water treated with bleaching powder, potassium permanganate, alum and acetic acid were also examined and it was found that the colour, taste and odour were not normal after treatment of the water samples. Therefore, it may be concluded that the water treated with Hello tab was found superior compare to the water of other treatments in this study which was found free from microbial contamination and unpleasant taste and order. Key words: Water, microorganisms, chemical agents, heat DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v6i1.1337 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (1): 37-43


Author(s):  
Andrés F. Dávalos ◽  
Pamela K. Garcia ◽  
Carolina Montoya-Pachongo ◽  
Andrea Rengifo ◽  
Daniela Guerrero ◽  
...  

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous microorganisms naturally resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants that can colonize drinking water supply systems. Information regarding the spread of NTM in specifically South America and Colombia is limited. We aimed to identify and characterize NTM present in tap water samples from Cali, Colombia. Drinking water samples and faucet biofilm swabs were collected in 18 places, including the city’s three main water treatment plants (WTPs). Filter-trapped material and eluates (0.45 μm) from swab washes were plated in 7H11 agar plates. Suspected colonies were evaluated microscopically, and NTM species were identified based on the rpoB gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was also performed. Fifty percent (9/18) of sampling points were positive for NTM (including two WTPs), from which 16 different isolates were identified: Mycobacterium mucogenicum (8/16), M. phocaicum (3/16), M. chelonae (2/16), M. mageritense (2/16), and M. fortuitum (1/16), all rapidly growing mycobacteria. A susceptibility profile was obtained from 68.75% (11/16) of the isolates. M. chelonae was the most resistant species. All NTM isolated are potentially responsible for human diseases; our findings might provide a baseline for exploring NTM transmission dynamics and clinical characterization, as well as potential associations between NTM species found in drinking water and isolates from patients.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvandi Amirhooshang ◽  
Abiri Ramin ◽  
Aryan Ehsan ◽  
Rezaei Mansour ◽  
Bagherabadi Shahram

To gain a better understanding of transmission and selecting appropriate measures for preventing the spread of Helicobacter pylori, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori in drinking water samples in Kermanshah, Iran. Drinking water samples were collected from around Kermanshah and filtered through 0.45 μm nitrocellulose filters. The bacterial sediment was subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for H. pylori detection using newly designed primers targeted at the conserved region of the ureC gene. The overall detection rates for H. pylori DNA in the water samples were 56% (66/118) with a frequency of 36% (25/70) in tap water samples and 85% (41/48) in wells. The detection limit was 50 bacteria per liter of filtered water and a pure H. pylori DNA copy number of 6 per reaction. Based on the evidence we may suggest that recontamination occurred and H. pylori entered into the water piping system through cracked or broken pipes or was released from established H. pylori biofilms on pipes. In conclusion, a high prevalence of H. pylori was detected in drinking water samples that strengthens the evidence of H. pylori transmission through drinking water.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Mohammed Th. S. Al-Zubaidi

     The current study was designed to determine the infection rate of intestinal protozoa in sheep and their handlers, and in their drinking water, in Wasit province, so as to study the relationship between contamination of drinking water with protozoal pathogen and infection in sheep and handlers in the period from the beginning of September 2015 to the end of February 2016. Two hundred eighty fecal samples were collected: (180) samples from sheep and 100 samples from human (50 handlers and 50 from non handlers), 50 drinking water samples were collected (18 samples; human tap water and RO bottled water and 32 samples river water). All samples were examined by conventional methods (direct moist smears, flotation with saturated sugar solution and  stained with Modified acid fast, Giemsa  and lugol's iodine ) The total infection rate in sheep, handlers and drinking water samples were 83.33%, 72%, 84.37% and 33.33% respectively. The result showed that drinking water samples of sheep and handlers were contaminated with protozoal oocysts or cysts of Cryptosporidium spp. (65.62%) (27.77 %), Giardia lamblia (6.25%) (0), Entamoeba spp (68.75%) (0), Eimeria spp (25%) (5.55%) and Buxtonella sulcata (40.62%)(0).


Nukleonika ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaye Özgür Çakal ◽  
Rufiyet Güven ◽  
Haluk Yücel

Abstract In this study, after the pulse shape calibration of a liquid scintillation counting (LSC) spectrometer (Quantulus 1220), the effi ciency was determined depending on sample quenching parameters. Then, gross alpha and beta activities in two spiked water samples obtained from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were used for the validation of the ASTM D7283-06 method, which is a standard test method for alpha and beta activity in water by LSC. Later, the drinking water samples (35 tap water and 9 bottled water) obtained from different districts of Ankara, Turkey, were measured. The maximum gross alpha activities are measured to be 0.08 Bq/L for tap waters and 0.13 Bq/L for bottled waters, whereas the maximum gross beta activities are found to be 0.18 Bq/L for tap waters and 0.16 Bq/L for bottled waters. These results indicate that these drinking water samples are below the required limits, which are 0.1 Bq/L for alpha emitting radionuclides and 1 Bq/L for beta emitting radionuclides. As a result, gross alpha and beta activities in drinking water of Ankara were determined accurately by this validated LSC method. It is also worth noting that LSC is a rapid and accurate method for the determination of gross alpha and beta activities without requiring a tedious sample preparation.


Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Palmer ◽  
Marshall E. Cates ◽  
Greg Gorman

Abstract. Background: Recent studies have shown that lithium may be effective at reducing suicide at low doses, such as those found in drinking water. Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare suicide rates with natural lithium levels in the drinking water of various Alabama counties. Method: Five drinking water samples from each of 15 Alabama counties were collected. Lithium levels were measured in triplicate using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometer and compared with suicide rate data for the period 1999–2013. Age, gender, and poverty were evaluated as potential confounding variables. Results: The average measured lithium concentrations ranged from 0.4 ppb to 32.9 ppb between the counties tested. The plot of suicide rate versus lithium concentration showed a statistically significant inverse relationship ( r = −.6286, p = .0141). Evaluation of male-only suicide rate versus lithium concentration data also yielded significant results; however, the female-only rate was not significant. Age standardized suicide rates and poverty when individually compared against lithium levels were also found to be statistically significant; unexpectedly, however, poverty had a parallel trend with suicide rate. Conclusion: Lithium concentration in drinking water is inversely correlated with suicide rate in 15 Alabama counties.


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