Determination of lead, arsenic and selenium in different water resources of Jabalpur by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Water is an essential for life on the earth. This “Elixir of Life” is facing a severe threat due to pollution. Poor sanitary practices lead to the growth of pathogens as well as exert a pose to an unacceptable waterborne public health risk. Jabalpur is the city surrounded with small and large industries. Also an ordnance factory is located just outskirt of the city which influence the nearby water tributaries get polluted. Thus the present study was done to observe the presence of heavy metals particularly lead, arsenic and selenium. A total of 117 samples were collected from different water sources in Jabalpur city, comprising 20 each from different banks of river Narmada and public taps, 21 from tube wells, 35 from different ponds, 21 from hand pumps. The concentrations of lead, arsenic and selenium were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The overall concentrations of lead, arsenic and selenium were ranging from 0.097 - 0.450 ppm, 0 - 0.345 ppm and 1.365 - 2.047 ppm, respectively. Almost all the samples were exceeding the maximum permissible limit stated by WHO.