INTRODUCTION Metals as zinc and copper are usually found in water and wastewater.

Trace amounts of metals enter our water supplies naturally as rain percolates through rock; dissolving minute quantities into the water. This water enters larger water bodies which we then use as resources for drinking water. Contamination of our water resources by poisonous metals occurs largely due to human activity. These activities include industrial processes, such as electronics and mining, agricultural activities, and discarding of wastes in landfills. Water supplies in most of the countries have zinc concentration about 1 mg/L to 50 mg/L depending on the type of areas. Industrial effluents may contribute large amounts of zinc; high concentrations suggest the presence of lead and cadmium, both common impurities from the galvanizing process. Allowed concentration of zinc in the Environmental Quality Act (Sewage and Effluents Regulations, 1979) is 1.0mg/L for both Standard A and B. While copper concentration allowed according to the same act is 0.20 and 1.0 mg/L each for Standard A and B. Copper concentrations in drinking water vary widely as a result of variations in water characteristics, such as pH, hardness and copper availability in the distribution system. (Donohue J, 2004) Zinc is essential to human metabolism and has been found to be necessary for proper growth. High concentrations of zinc in water act as stomach irritants but only cause temporary effects. The Food and Nutrition Board of USA recommends dietary copper intake for adults of 1.53.0 milligrams (mg) per day. Acute ingestion of excess copper in drinking water can cause gastrointestinal tract disturbances and chronic ingestion can lead to liver toxicity in sensitive populations. (The National Academies Press, 2000) OBJECTIVES To determine the concentration of heavy metals; zinc and copper in wastewater and tap water samples. METHODS Reagents/Apparatus

Part A (Zinc Measurement) o Zinco Ver 5 Reagent Powder Pillow o 0.5ml cyclohexanone o Graduated Mixing Cylinder o Stopper o Plastic Dropper o Spectophotometer Part B (Copper Measurement) o CuVer 1 Reagent Powder Pillow o Graduated Mixing Cylinder o Stopper o Plastic Dropper o Spectophotometer PROCEDURE Part A: Zinc Measurement 1. HACH program for zinc (780) in the spectrophotometer was prepared. 2. 25ml graduated cylinder was filled with 20ml of the sample. 3. The content of Zinco Ver 5 Reagent Powder Pillow was added to the cylinder, and then it was stoppered. 4. The cylinder was inverted for several times to dissolve the powder completely. 5. 10ml of the solution was poured into a sample cell and labeled as blank. 6. 0.5ml of cyclohexanone was added to the remaining solution in the cylinder using plastic dropper. 7. The timer icon on the spectrophotometer was touched. 8. The cylinder was capped with stopper and shaken vigorously during the 30 seconds reaction period. 9. The timer icon on the spectrophotometer was touched. 10. The solution was poured into a round sample cell and labeled as prepared sample.

11. The spectrophotometer was set to zero by putting the blank. 12. Sample was put in the sample holder. 13. Reading appeared in mg/L and recorded. Part B: Copper Measurement 1. HACH program for copper (135) in the spectrophotometer was prepared. 2. A sample cell w filled with 10ml of the sample and labeled as prepared sample. 3. The contents of CuVer 1 Reagent Copper Powder Pillow was added to the cylinder and swirled to mix. 4. Spectrophotometer timer was started and two minutes reaction period began. 5. After two minutes reaction period ended, 10ml of the sample is poured into another sample cell and labeled as blank. 6. The spectrophotometer was set to zero by putting blank. 7. After 30 minutes of the reaction time expired, the prepared sample was placed into the sample holder and the reading was recorded. RESULTS Zinc: 0.08 mg/L Copper: 0.11 mg/L DISCUSSION To determine the zinc content of a water sample, buffered water sample of pH 9 is usually added with cyanide in the analysis of zinc to form a complex with all heavy metals exist in the sample

cyclohexanone addition frees the zinc from the cyanide complex

and enables it to react with the indicator, zincon

A blue-colored complex forms in direct proportion to the amount of zinc in the sample. Measurement of the color intensity by the spectrophotometer determines the zinc concentration. Copper reagent forms a purple colored complex in proportion to the copper concentration. Test result is measured at 560 nm. Based on the results obtained, both zinc and copper contained in the water sample are below the permitted limit of effluent standard in Environmental Quality Act (Sewage and Effluents Regulations), 1979 for both standard A and B (0.2 mg/L for both zinc and copper for Standard A and 1.0 mg/L for both zinc and copper for Standard B). Following the Interim Water Quality Standards, both results fall in Class I which is at the natural level. Class I represents water at excellent and good quality which is safe to human and aquatic life, and is set for rivers that are conserved where no discharge is allowed. Safety Precaution

ZincoVer 5 reagent contains potassium cyanide and cyanide solutions are regulated as hazardous waste. Proper disposal of the solution should be observed.