Revista de técnicas analíticas y bioanalíticas

Abstracto

Determination of Heavy Metals in Blood, Urine and Water Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer and Fluoride Using Ion-Selective Electrode

Akan JC, Sodipo OA, Liman Y and Chellube ZM

This study was conducted in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria. The levels of fluoride, cadmium, arsenic, lead and nickel were determined in sachet, tap and ground water. The levels of fluoride and some heavy metals were also determined in blood and urine samples with respect to age groups. The sample collection and preparation were carried out using standard procedures. The concentrations of the heavy metals were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (ICPAES), while fluoride was determined Potentiometrically Using Ion-Selective Electrode. The results of this study showed that the concentration of fluoride was highest in male subject with a value of 1.65 mg/l within the age group of 51-60, while the lowest concentration of 0.02 mg/l was observed in female subject within the age group of 1-10. The concentrations of the metals studied in blood samples from male subject were significantly higher than in the female subject. The concentrations of these metals were significantly higher at an age group of 51-60, while the age group 1-10 showed the lowest concentrations. It was also observed that the concentration of fluoride in urine samples from male subject increased significantly with increase in age (P<0.05). The concentration of fluoride in borehole water from Gamboru, Bolori, Mairi and Gwange ward ranged between 0.02 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l, 0.04 mg/l and 0.11 mg/l Ni, 0.05 mg/l and 0.07 mg/l Cd, while for tap water the concentration of fluoride ranged from (0.034 to 0.73 mg/l), (0.026 to 0.54 mg/l)As, (0.15 to 0.24 mg/l)Pb, (0.08 to 0.22 mg/l)Ni, and (0.12 to 0.31 mg/l)Cd. Similarly for sachet water (Hauwa, Madube, Mustapha and Rahama waters) the concentration of fluoride ranged between 0.01 mg/l and 0.06 mg/l, 0.01 mg/l and 0.03 mg/l As, 0.001 mg/l to 0.05 mg/lPb, 0.01 mg/l and 0.0007 mg/l Ni, 0.01 mg/l to 0.05 mg/l Cd. The highest concentration of Cd in borehole water was observed in Mairi, while the lowest concentration of F was in Gamboru. Similarly, the concentration of F in tap water was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Bolori, while Ni showed the lowest concentration in Gamboru. From the above results, the concentrations of all the metals in the water samples were lower than those of the blood and urine samples, this is possible because; metals can be accumulated and concentrated in human bodies. Hence, it may be concluded that the water samples consumed by these inhabitants might not be responsible for the presence of these studied metal in the blood and urine samples.