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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
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Co-occurrence profiles of trace elements in potable water systems: a case study
Syam S Andra1, Konstantinos C Makris, Pantelis Charisiadis
1Water and Health Laboratory, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in association with Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Irenes 95, Limassol, 3041, Cyprus.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|July 20, 2014
Summary
Trace elements in Greek drinking water were analyzed, with most below safety limits. Their grouping suggests co-accumulation in pipe scales, potentially releasing contaminants into tap water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Drinking water quality monitoring is crucial for public health.
- Understanding trace element behavior in distribution systems is essential for safety.
- Pipe scales and corrosion products can act as reservoirs for contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To monitor trace element composition in potable water from Greece.
- To investigate associations in trace element occurrence and their fate in pipe scales.
- To identify potential risks of contaminant release from distribution systems.
Main Methods:
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for trace element analysis.
- Seventy-four potable water samples from 19 locations were analyzed for 13 trace elements.
- Hierarchical clustering was applied to group elements based on covariance.
Main Results:
- Most analyzed trace elements were below maximum contaminant levels.
- Arsenic was detected above limits in two locations and six samples.
- Hierarchical clustering revealed two groups of trace elements, partially explained by chemical activity and potential for co-mobilization.
Conclusions:
- Trace element profiling in finished water can indicate their load on pipe scales.
- Co-accumulation and co-mobilization of trace elements from pipe scales pose a risk of episodic contaminant release.
- Further research could inform water safety plans by understanding trace element dynamics in distribution systems.
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