STUDY OF BARIUM DISTRIBUTION IN WATERS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION BY ZEEMAN GFAAS

Summary A study was performed aimed at detecting the Ba ion in waters for human consumption. Samples were taken from 89 sites of the Reggio Emilia Plains. Barium determination was performed using GFAAS with both Zeeman correction or a high intensity tungsten-halogen lamp. The analytical specificity of this procedure was verified by comparison with ICP-AES. Data obtained revealed concentrations of Ba varying from 10 to 925 μg L -1 with appreciable differences among the four hydrogeological units considered. Preliminary tests of Ba speciation have led to the hypothesis that it is present in water in its soluble form, presumably of an inorganic nature or in a compound with organic substances of low molecular weight.