Abstract

Detection of heavy (toxic) metals in water samples by Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Author(s): A.H.Bakry, M.A.N.Razvi

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is used to analyze metal impurities in water samples. The experimental setup is equipped with a Nd:YAG pulsed laser, a sample viewing digital camera, a seven channel grating spectrometer and gated CCD detection system. Wavelength calibration of the spectrometer is done to ascertain resolution and proper identification of elements. Synthetic standard solutions containing 21 metal impurities were prepared for quantitative estimation of the impurities in the water samples. Minimum detection limits for all the elements were determined, a fewparts permillion (ppm) detection limitswere obtained formost of the elemental standards.Water samples collected fromdifferent districts and localities of Jeddah city were analyzed. The analyses of samples were done against the calibrated standards. Analysis results show no contamination of highly toxic metals like As, Cd, Hg and Pb. Other elements were present in trace amounts. Some of the elements could not be detected due to poor sensitivity of the system for those elements.