Analysis of Heavy Metals in Industrial Wastewater Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Authors

  • Onkar S. Dhindale
  • Tushar M. Dalimbkar
  • Ganesh L. Kirdat
  • Yogesh A. Sethi
  • Kakasaheb C. Mohite

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53555/s26vtk11

Keywords:

Heavy metals, Industrial wastewater, ICP-MS, Wastewater treatment, Environmental contamination, public health

Abstract

This study focuses on the quantitative analysis of heavy metals in industrial wastewater using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The primary objective was to assess the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg) in wastewater samples from a manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, and evaluate the effectiveness of the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in mitigating these contaminants. The research design involved a cross-sectional observational study with 30 samples collected from the inlet and outlet points of the WWTP over a six-month period. The results revealed significant levels of heavy metals, often exceeding regulatory limits. The WWTP demonstrated a reduction efficiency of 18.53% for Pb, but showed negative reduction efficiencies for Cd, Cr, and Hg, indicating potential inadequacies in the treatment process. Correlation analysis suggested common contamination sources for Pb and Cr. The findings underscore the need for improved treatment technologies, stringent regulatory enforcement, and public awareness to mitigate environmental and health risks. This study contributes valuable data on heavy metal contamination in industrial wastewater in India, filling a significant literature gap and highlighting the necessity for enhanced wastewater treatment and environmental protection measures.

Author Biographies

  • Onkar S. Dhindale

    Department of Chemistry Chandmal Tarachand Bora College, Shirur, Pune 412210, Maharashtra India.

  • Tushar M. Dalimbkar

    Department of Chemistry Chandmal Tarachand Bora College, Shirur, Pune 412210, Maharashtra India.

  • Ganesh L. Kirdat

    Department of Chemistry Chandmal Tarachand Bora College, Shirur, Pune 412210, Maharashtra India.

  • Yogesh A. Sethi

    Department Of Chemistry, The People’s Education Societies, Jamkhed Mahavidyalaya Jamkhed Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, Pin Code   - 413201

  • Kakasaheb C. Mohite

    Department Of Chemistry, The People’s Education Societies, Jamkhed Mahavidyalaya Jamkhed Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, Pin Code   - 413201

References

1. Batista, Bruno & Grotto, Denise & Rodrigues, Jairo & Souza, Vanessa & Barbosa, Fernando. (2009). Determination of trace elements in biological samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with tetramethylammonium hydroxide solubilization at room temperature. Analytica chimica acta. 646. 23-9. 10.1016/j.aca.2009.05.022.

2. Chauhan, A., Choudhari, R., Kumar, A., Singh, B., & Tripathi, A. (2021). Effect of Heavy Metals caused by E-waste Activities on Soil Samples, PM2.5, Human Fingernails, and Scalp Hair in Moradabad City, India. Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health. https://doi.org/10.18311/JEOH/2021/24813

3. Duan, B., Zhang, W., Zheng, H., Wu, C., Zhang, Q., & Bu, Y. (2017). Comparison of Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals and As in Sewage Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Adults and Children in the Urban District of Taiyuan, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14, 1194. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14101194

4. Giacoppo, S., Galuppo, M., Calabró, R., D'Aleo, G., Marra, A., Sessa, E., Bua, D., Potortí, A. G., Dugo, G., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2014). Heavy Metals and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Observational Study. Biological Trace Element Research, 161, 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0094-5

5. Hasan, M. Y., Kosanović, M., Fahim, M. A., Adem, A., & Petroianu, G. (2004). Trace metal profiles in hair samples from children in urban and rural regions of the United Arab Emirates. Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 46(3), 119-121. https://consensus.app/papers/trace-metal-profiles-hair-samples-children-regions-united-hasan/6ae6868371d25140a09713eebebb27de

6. Ibrahem, S., Hassan, M., Ibraheem, Q., & Arif, K. (2020). Genotoxic Effect of Lead and Cadmium on Workers at Wastewater Plant in Iraq. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9171027

7. Järup, L. (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination. British Medical Bulletin, 68(1), 167-182. http://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.01109s1579

8. Kamunda, C., Mathuthu, M., & Madhuku, M. (2016). Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Witwatersrand Gold Mining Basin, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13, 663. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070663

9. Lee, S. Y., Oh, H., Choi, Y. H., Kim, J. W., & Kim, S. H. (2004). Trace Metal Analysis Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 24, 362-370. https://consensus.app/papers/trace-metal-analysis-using-inductively-coupled-lee/7300437187c950b59b1269e77ce29e6d

10. Li, Z., Ma, Z., van der Kuijp, T. J., Yuan, Z., & Huang, L. (2019). A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China: Pollution and health risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 468, 843-853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.101

11. Moradi, A., Honarjoo, N., Etemadifar, M., & Fallahzade, J. (2016). Bio-accumulation of some heavy metals in blood serum of residents in Isfahan and Shiraz, Iran. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5217-3

12. Rodushkin, I., Ödman, F., & Axelsson, M. D. (2005). Determination of low-abundance elements at ultra-trace levels by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 549(1-2), 218-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2005.01.041

13. Saha, R., & Paul, B. (2019). Application of ICP-MS in detecting trace metals in wastewater from electroplating industries. Chemosphere, 223, 680-689.

14. Singh, K. P., Mohan, D., Sinha, S., & Dalwani, R. (2004). Impact assessment of treated/untreated wastewater toxicants discharged by sewage treatment plants on health, agricultural, and environmental quality in the wastewater disposal area. Chemosphere, 55(2), 227-255. http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE. 2003.10.050

15. Uddin, M., & Alam, F. (2023). Health risk assessment of the heavy metals at wastewater discharge points of textile industries in Tongi, Shitalakkhya, and Dhaleshwari, Bangladesh. Journal of Water and Health, 21(5), 586-600. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.284

16. Wang, S., Zhang, S., Shan, X. Q., & Zhang, H. (2017). Heavy metal contamination and its potential health risks in a rapidly developing region of China. Environmental International, 122, 377-386.

17. Xu, P., Chen, Z., Chen, Y., Feng, L., Wu, L., Xu, D., Wang, X., Lou, X., & Lou, J. (2019). Body burdens of heavy metals associated with epigenetic damage in children living in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator. Chemosphere, 229, 160-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.016

Downloads

Published

15-09-2025

Issue

Section

Articles