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Table of Contents Question Statement ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Three major inorganic pollutants ............................................................................................................. 3 Copper in drinking water .............................................................................................................................. 4 Mercury in drinking water ............................................................................................................................ 4 Nitrite in drinking water ................................................................................................................................ 4 Standard for the contaminants ................................................................................................................... 6 Effects on human health ................................................................................................................................. 7 Entry of inorganic pollutants in drinking water ................................................................................ 7 Copper entry in drinking water .................................................................................................................. 7 Mercury entry in drinking water ................................................................................................................ 7 Nitrite entry in drinking water .................................................................................................................... 7 Treatment methods that can be used to reduce the risks from these pollutants ............ 8 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 References .............................................................................................................................................................. 9

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Table of Figures Figure 1: Origin of drinking water contaminants ..................................................................................... 3 Figure 2: Uranium & Copper dissolved in river waters ......................................................................... 5 Figure 3: Mercury Dissolved in river waters .............................................................................................. 6 Figure 4: Nitrate in river waters ..................................................................................................................... 6

Table of Tables Table 1: Standard hazardous limits of chemicals ..................................................................................... 7 Table 2: Sources & effects of inorganic pollutants ................................................................................... 8

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Question Statement:
Various chemical pollutants can reduce the quality of water resources used for drinking purposes. Investigate three inorganic pollutants that reduce the quality of drinking water and pose risk to human health. Describe how these pollutants enter the water sources and the risks posed by these pollutants to human health. Describe treatment methods that can be used to reduce the risks from these pollutants.

Introduction:
Groundwater pollutants can be either organic or inorganic. Organic materials are composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen; they may also contain smaller amounts of chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Inorganic pollutants include materials such as nitrate, which can come from fertilizers or decayed organic materials; chlorides; and heavy metals, such as copper and lead. Other inorganic pollutants which take part in water pollution are: antimony, copper, mercury, nitrite lead, arsenic etc & so on. In a research which conducted by the united states government, chemical test result shows that 62 contaminants come from agriculture sector & 127 chemicals come from industrial sector. These chemicals come from different sources. As shown below in graph.

Figure 1: Origin of drinking water contaminants

Three major inorganic pollutants

The main three inorganic pollutants that reduce the quality of drinking water are copper, mercury & nitrite.

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Copper in drinking water: If we are concerned about copper in our drinking water, have the water tested for copper by a certified laboratory. Since we cannot see, taste, or smell copper dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in our drinking water. We should be particularly suspicious if your home has copper pipes. If signs of corrosion frequent leaks, rust-colored water, stained dishes or if non-plastic plumbing is less than five years old. Mercury in drinking water: When routine monitoring indicates that mercury levels are above the MCL, our water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of mercury so that it is below that level. Water suppliers must notify their customers as soon as practical, but no later than 30 days after the system learns of the violation. Nitrite in drinking water: When routine monitoring indicates that nitrite levels are above the MCL, our water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nitrite so that it is below that level. Water suppliers must notify their customers as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours after the system learns of the violation. The research conducted by the United States government on these contaminants that shows in which quantity these are present in water. That research in graph form is as below.

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Figure 2: Uranium & Copper dissolved in river waters

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Figure 3: Mercury Dissolved in river waters

Figure 4: Nitrate in river waters

Standard for the contaminants:

For Drinking water chemical standards are established by United States, the European Union, and suggested by the World Health Organization. The amount of chemicals must be present in water in some quantity which is not hazardous for health. For this the standard is establish which is given below in table form.

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Table 1: Standard hazardous limits of chemicals Inorganic chemicals Copper Mercury Nitrite (as N) United States (mg/l) 1.3 0.002 1 EU (mg/l) 2 0.001 0.5 WHO (mg/l) 2 0.006 3

The above table shows that the chemicals if exceed the limit given in the table or more than the amount given in the table, that can cause hazardous for human life.

Effects on human health:

These inorganic pollutants effect on human health in different ways. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level may, with short term exposure, experience gastrointestinal distress, and with long-term exposure may experience liver or kidney damage Those people who drink water containing mercury well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could experience kidney damage. Infants below six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.

Entry of Inorganic pollutants in drinking water:

There are many ways by these pollutants entered in drinking water. The major sources of copper in drinking water are corrosion of household plumbing systems; and erosion of natural deposits. Copper entry in drinking water: Copper enters the water (leaches) through contact with the plumbing. Copper can leach into water primarily from pipes, but fixtures and faucets (brass), and fittings can also be a source. Mercury entry in drinking water: The sources of mercury in drinking water are erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills; and runoff from croplands. Nitrite entry in drinking water:

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The major sources of nitrite in drinking water are runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; and erosion of natural deposits. All the above sources & effects of these inorganic pollutants are shown in the form of table as below: Table 2: Sources & effects of inorganic pollutants Inorganic Chemicals Contaminant Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure Above the MCL (unless specified as short-term) Copper Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level Kidney damage

Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

Mercury (inorganic) Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen)

Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands Runoff from fertilizer use; leaking from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Treatment methods that can be used to reduce the risks from these pollutants:
Distillation is most effective in removing inorganic compounds such as metals (copper, mercury & nitrite); hardness (calcium and magnesium); and particulates from a contaminated water supply. The boiling process also kills microorganisms such as bacteria and some viruses. The effectiveness of distillation in removing inorganic compounds varies, depending on such chemical characteristics of the organic compound as solubility and boiling point.

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The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing copper to below the action level of 1.3 mg/L or 1.3 ppm: corrosion control. The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing mercury to below 0.002 mg/L or 2 ppb: coagulation/filtration, granular activated carbon, lime softening, and reverse osmosis. The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing nitrite to below 1 mg/L or 1 ppm: ion exchange, reverse osmosis.

Conclusion:
So, three main inorganic pollutants which can reduce the quality of drinking water are copper, mercury and nitrite. They can get into drinking water by plumbing of pipes, corrosion, groundwater rocks etc. And by deep research it is found that these chemicals can cause fatal injuries if they remain in drinking water for longer time. But they can be removed by methods like distillation, corrosion control, reverse osmosis and ion exchange.

References:
Peter E Jackson. (2001). Determination of inorganic ions in drinking water by ion chromatography. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 20 Chapter 10 Determination of inorganic pollutants in waters. (1999). Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry, 32 www.ubs.usgs.gov http://www.elsevier.com/locate/permissionusematerial