Groundwater
of North West Bank in Palestine was assessed for pollution with trace metals by
ICP/MS. The samples were analysed for their
pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and different trace metals
content. The pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids of all
water samples were found to be within the US Environmental protection Agency
limits. Results showed that the concentration of nine trace metals (Cr, Mn, Ni,
Cu, Zn, Mo, Pb, Cd, and Al) is within the WHO limits in drinking water (50, 500,
20, 2000, 3000, 70, 10, 3, and 200 ug/L, respectively), however six metals of
them (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Mo, and Al) were detected in 100% of the samples, while
Pb, Cd, and Zn were detected in 80%, 60%, and 20% of the samples, respectively.
On the other hand, Tl which is a very toxic heavy metal with allowed WHO limits
of 0.01 - 1 ug/L is detected in 100% of the water samples analysed with a range of 0.02 - 0.12 ug/L. It indicates
that such concentration levels of Tl would be harmful to the human being drinking
the water. In general, 82% of all samples analysed contained one or more of the
12 metals studied each in varying concentration. Results of this study suggest
a possible risk to the people of the study area given the toxicity of heavy
metals, and the fact that for many people in the study area, groundwater is a
main source of their water supply.