TITLE:
Analysis of Different Rare Metals, and Rare Earth Metals in Harvested Rain Water in Gaza Strip/Palestine by ICP/MS-Data and Health Aspects
AUTHORS:
M. A. Al-Qutob, F. Al-Rimawi
KEYWORDS:
Rare Metals, Rare Earth Elements, WHO Limits, ICP/MS, Gaza Strip, Harvested Rain Water
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.8 No.10,
September
8,
2016
ABSTRACT: This rain
water samples harvested for drinking and agriculture from Gaza collected in
November 2012 were analyzed for different rare metals (Rb, Zr, Ti, Tl, Sb, Sc,
Y), and rare earth metals (La, and Ce). These metals usually have no maximum
acceptable limits as there is no sufficient data about their toxicity to human
health. Their control should be therefore controlled in water to monitor their
concentration in water (ground, harvested, etc.). This study was conducted to
determine the water quality of harvested water which is used for drinking in
the study area. 43 water samples were collected in November 2012 during the
first rain from house wells and rain water pools. The concentrations of the
metals detected in the collected harvested rainwater vary significantly between
the 43 samples, and all of them were detected in all water samples analyzed in
this study. The results obtained from this study suggest a possible risk to the
population of the study area given the high concentration of some metals that
have no maximum allowed concentration, and the fact that for many people in the
study area, harvested rain water is a main source of their water supply.