Co-occurrence profiles of trace elements in potable water systems: a case study

Abstract

Potable water samples (N = 74) from 19 zip code locations in a region of Greece were profiled for 13 trace elements composition using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The primary objective was to monitor the drinking water quality, while the primary focus was to find novel associations in trace elements occurrence that may further shed light on common links in their occurrence and fate in the pipe scales and corrosion products observed in urban drinking water distribution systems. Except for arsenic at two locations and in six samples, rest of the analyzed elements was below maximum contaminant levels, for which regulatory values are available. Further, we attempted to hierarchically cluster trace elements based on their covariances resulting in two groups; one with arsenic, antimony, zinc, cadmium, and copper and the second with the rest of the elements. The grouping trends were partially explained by elements' similar chemical activities in water, underscoring their potential for co-accumulation and co-mobilization phenomena from pipe scales into finished water. Profiling patterns of trace elements in finished water could be indicative of their load on pipe scales and corrosion products, with a corresponding risk of episodic contaminant release. Speculation was made on the role of disinfectants and disinfection byproducts in mobilizing chemically similar trace elements of human health interest from pipe scales to tap water. It is warranted that further studies may eventually prove useful to water regulators from incorporating the acquired knowledge in the drinking water safety plans.

Trace Element Analysis, Model-Based Clustering and Flushing to Prevent Drinking Water Contamination in Public Schools

“…19 This strategy has been extensively applied in environmental water research, [20][21][22][23] and to study potable water systems in Greece and the United States. 24 A data driven approach was used, for example, after residential water testing in Flint (Michigan, USA) to develop machine learning models capable of predicting whether or not a given parcel data would have a Pb concentration above the EPA action level of 15 µg L -1 . 25 Although widely used in many and diverse fields of research, multivariate analysis has yet to be evaluated as a tool to study trace elements in drinking water of an entire school district.…”

Cadmium body burden, hypertension, and changes in blood pressure over time: results from a prospective cohort study in American Indians

“…Additional adjustment for the sum of inorganic and methylated arsenic, also measured in the urine samples of this cohort, had negligible impact on the results. However, the correlation between the sum of inorganic and methylated arsenic and creatinine-adjusted cadmium in the SHS is low, whereas correlations between cadmium and both zinc and manganese have been found in some countries or communities, 61 suggesting evaluation of cadmium exposure in conjunction with zinc and manganese may be worth investigating further.…”

Integrating Transcriptomics and Free Fatty Acid Profiling Analysis Reveal Cu Induces Shortened Lifespan and Increased Fat Accumulation and Oxidative Damage in C. elegans

“…Due to favorable mechanical properties, Cu was used extensively in drinking water distribution systems [ 8 , 9 ]. However, metals could not escape the effects of corrosion.…”