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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

10 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

QUALITY CONTROL ALONG THE BAKU PIPELINE: CHEMICAL PROFILING OF 

WATER SAMPLES 

 

Dr. Farid Aliyev, Prof. Leyla Hasanovna Mammadova, Dr. Elchin Jafarov and Prof. Nigar 

Guliyeva 

Baku State University, Azerbaijan 

 

Abstract: Water pollution is a major environmental problem that can have a significant impact on human health 

and the environment. This paper reviews the causes, effects, and prevention of water pollution. The paper also 

discusses the importance of water quality monitoring and management. 

Keywords: water pollution, environmental pollution, human health, environmental impact, water quality, water 

management 

 

1. Introduction  

Environment is an essential element of human existence. It is a result of interference of natural elements – earth, 

air, water, climate, biosphere – with elements created by human activity. All these interact with/and influence the 

existential conditions and the possibilities for future development of society.   

To protect the environment, mainly affected areas must be identified, assessed the degree of damage, and 

determined the causes that have produced these imbalances. 

It is necessary to preserve the quality of the environment mainly throughout reducing negative effects of human 

activities. Potentially toxic metals resulting from anthropogenic activities cause severe disturbance of ecosystems 

[1, 2]. Water pollution is a complex process that leads to changes in water composition, aquatic flora and fauna, 

and may result in a poor condition, water quality for economic and recreational use, being dangerous to human 

health [3-4].   

Importance of trace metal concentrations evidence in natural waters and/or environment is growing for the 

pollution monitoring studies. Traces of metal ions have important roles in a wide spectrum of functions of life. 

Some of these toxic trace metal levels are high, such as poisoning by Fe, Pb and Ni affects the central nervous 

system. Heavy metals presence in nature usually is not dangerous for the environment because they are present 

only in very small quantities [5]. Heavy metals are pollutants in the environment only if it’s present in large 

quantities (this fact is usually attributed to industrial activities).  

The natural water analysis for physical, chemical properties including trace element contents are very important 

for public health studies. These studies are also a main part of pollution studies in the environment [1-5]. Also, 

investigations of the quality of drinking water samples have been continuously performed by researchers around 

the world. The determinations in drinking water have been performed using classical analytical techniques 

including titrimetric, gravimetric and modern instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry 

(AAS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, etc.   

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

11 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

Because of the low cost and easiness in usage, inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry is the main 

instrument for the determinations of the trace heavy metal ions in drinking waters in the analytical chemistry 

laboratories [6-7]. Now ICP method is sensitive and convenient method for the determination of metals in water 

and wastewater samples.   

2. Experimental 

2.1. Apparatus 

An ICP source consists of a flowing stream of argon gas ionized by an applied radio frequency field typically 

oscillating at 27.1 MHz this field is inductively coupled to the ionized gas by a water-cooled coil surrounding a 

quartz “torch” that supports and confines the plasma. The sample aerosol is injected directly into the ICP, 

Subjecting the constituent atoms to temperatures of about 6000 to 8000°K. Inductively coupled plasma mass 

spectrometer includes a mass spectrometer, detector, an ICP source, mass flow controllers for regulating ICP gas 

flows,  a peristaltic pump for introducing samples and a computerized data acquisition and instrument control 

system.  

2.2. General Discussion 

In this method, analysts introduce sample material to an argon-based, hightemperature radio frequency plasma, 

usually via pneumatic nebulization. As energy transfers from the plasma to the sample stream the target elements 

dissolves, atomizes and ionizes. The resulting ions are extracted from the plasma through a differential vacuum 

interface and separated based on their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio by a mass spectrometer.  

 This method has been demonstrated to be suitable for aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, 

chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, strontium and zinc. (Table 1.) 

Table 1: Recommended Analyte Masses and İnternal Standards  

Element  

Analytical  

Mass  

Recommended  

Internal 

Standards  

Interference Calculation  

Beryllium  9  Li  C*6  

Aluminum  27  Sc  C27  

Chromium  52  Sc  C52  

Manganese  55  Sc  C55  

Cobalt  59  Sc  C59  

Nickel  60  Sc  C62  

Copper  63  Sc  C63  

Zinc  66  Ge  C66  

Arsenic  75  Ge  C75-3.127(C77-0.815*C82)  

Selenium  82  Ge  C82-1.008696*C83  

Silver  107  In  C107  

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

12 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

Cadmium  111  In  C111-1.073-C108-0.712*C106  

Antimony  121  In  C121  

Barium  137  Th  C135  

Lead  208  Th  C208+C206+C207  

2.3. Materials and reagents  

This study proposes to investigate the quality of drinking waters used for human. Samples were taken from Oguz-

Gabala-Baku water pipeline that supplies Absheron-Peninsula with drinking water. Water samples were collected 

in high density polyethylene containers previously Water samples were stabilized with ultrapure nitric acid (0.5%)  

Reagents and standards  

a. Acids:  

1. Nitric acid HNO3,  

2. Nitric acid HNO3, 1+1: Add 500 ml HNO3, 500 ml deionized water  

3. Nitric acid (v/v) 2%: 20 ml HNO3 100 ml deionized water and dilute to 1L  

4. Nitric acid (v/v) 1%: 20 ml HNO3 100 ml deionized water and dilute to 1L b. Reagent water  

c. Stock, standard and other required solutions   

1. Internal standard stock solution: germanium, indium, lithium, scandium and thorium are suggested as 

internal standards add enough internal standards to all samples, Standards and quality control (QS) samples.   

2. Instrument optimization/tuning solution: containing Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Germanium, 

Indium, Rhodium, Scandium, Terbium, Thallium, Barium, Cerium, Magnesium and Lead. Prepare this solution 

in 2% nitric acid. This mix includes all common elements used to optimize and tune various ICP_MS operating 

parameters. It may be possible to use fewer elements in this solution, depending on the instrument manufacturer’s 

recommendations.  

3. Calibration standards: a five standard calibration is recommended from 0 to 100 µg/l e. Argon: Use a pre 

purified grade of argon unless it can be demonstrated that other grades can be used successfully. Pre purified 

argon is usually necessary because technical argon often contains significant levels of impurities.  

3. Results and Discussion 

3.1. Calibration curve  

A five standard calibration is recommended from 0 to 100 µg/l. Other calibration regimens are acceptable if the 

full suite of quality assurance samples and standards is run to validate any method changes. Fewer standards may 

be used and a two-point blank/mid-range calibration technique commonly used in ICP optical methods should 

also produce acceptable results. Calibrate all analyses using the selected concentrations. Prepare all calibration 

standards and blanks in a matrix of 2% nitric acid.  Add internal standard mix to all calibration standards to 

provide appropriate count rates for interference correction.   

Table 2 presents the concentrations of metals that were determined in water samples taken from the Oguz-

Gabala-Baku water pipeline.   

Sample  Metal concentrations µg/l        

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

13 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

Al  Cr  Fe  Co  Ni  Cu  Zn  As  Cd  Ba  Pb  

Sample 1  16.79  0.53  13.57  0.19  1.89  3.89  14.2  1.21  0.57  95.6  1.63  

Sample 2  11.7  0.46  6.99  0.018  1.83  1.46  2.93  0.19  -  123.3  3.0  

The drinking water samples were analyzed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The concentrations of 

metals ions give in Table 1. The lowest and highest levels of elements detected ranged between 0.19 µg/l for 

cobalt and 1357.3 µg/l for iron. The highest levels of trace heavy metals ions were found in the first sample/ as 

can be seen in Table 1. In this sample Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, As concentrations were found to be 167.9 µg/l, 0.53 

µg/l, 1357.3 µg/l, 0.19 µg/l, 14.2 µg/l, 1.21 µg/l.   

Arsenic is widely distributed in the environment because of its natural and anthropogenic source [8]. 

Concentrations in the drinking water samples were in the range 0.19-1.21 µg/l. The lowest and highest values 

were in second sample and first sample.  

The highest iron level was found in first sample as 1357.3 µg/l. 

Lead is one of the most abundant heavy metals in nature. It is an essential nutrient but could be also toxic for 

humans [12]. Most important anthropogenic source of lead in the environment is combustion of gasoline with 

lead. Lead is discharged by vehicles into air them adsorbed from the air by environmental samples such as soil 

and plants [9-10]. In environmental lead suffers lead changes and find that the Pb2+ ion or as insoluble lead 

compounds. Maximum permissible limit for lead in drinking water is 0.01 µg/l and 10µg/l(for WHO and EC 

98/83 must be added). The levels of lead in the samples were in range of 1.63-3 µg/l. The highest concentrations 

were in second sample. Aluminum is an essential nutrient for humans. Water analysis showed concentration in 

the 11.7-167.9 µg/l. Zinc is present in natural waters in concentrations lower than the sewer water, which comes 

from human activities related to galvanizing zinc and copper alloys or other metals.   

 Recommending that zinc concentration in drinking water to be less than 3 µg/l. Concentrations in the drinking 

water samples were in the range 2.93-14.2  µg/l. Chromium is another omnipresent element, not only because of 

its nature, but also due to its several anthropogenic sources, mainly coming from its large application in industrial 

fields. The concentration of Cr was in the range of 0.46-0.53 Concentrations in the drinking water samples   were 

in the range 0.19-1.21 µg/l.Copper could be present in water in ionic form or in complex organ mineral.   

The highest concentrations of copper were obtained in first sample (up to 3.89 µg/l.) Comparison the 

concentrations of metals in the samples have been shown in Figure 1. The highest concentration of cadmium, 

arsenic, copper, and zinc were obtained in first sample. But the highest concentrations of lead were obtained in 

second sample.  

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

14 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

  
Figure 1: Comparison the concentrations of metals  

The concentrations of metal ions in the drinking water samples from OguzGabala-Baku were within the 

permissible limits of the World Health Organization.  

The permissible limits of metals ions for 98/83/EC and WHO were given in Table 3.   

Table 3: The permissible limits of metals ions in the drinking water  (For 98/83/EC and WHO)  

Elements  Unit  Concentration (98/83/EC)  Concentration 

(WHO)  

Cobalt  µg/l  -  -  

Chromium  µg/l  50  50  

Cadmium  µg/l  5  3  

Arsenic  µg/l  10  10  

Lead  µg/l  10  10  

Nickel  µg/l  20  70  

Copper  µg/l  2  2  

Zinc  µg/l  -  3  

4. Conclusions  

ICP-MS method is available and adequate to identify and quantify metals present in natural and drinking waters 

at trace levels, which are of particular relevance for toxicity control regions, may have been contaminated by 

toxic metals. Comparison the concentrations of metals in the drinking water samples with permissible limits of 

the World Health Organization show that concentrations of Co, Cr, Cd, in the both example under permissible 

limits. Concentrations of copper and zinc contained in 1.46-3.89 µg/l and 14.2-2.93 µg/l. In the first sample 

concentration of copper, nickel and lead is high from permissible limit. Concentration of zinc in the first sample 

is high from permissible limit, but in the second sample below the limit. (Figure 2)  

  

0 

5 

10 

15 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Sample 1 

sample 2 

Co 
Cr Cd As 

Pb Ni 
Cu 

Zn 

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

15 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

  
Figure 2: Comparison the concentrations of metals with 98/83/EC Directive and WHO  

Acknowledgements  

The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Baku State University and also would like to thank 

“Azersu” OJSC.  

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 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 

Vol.6, Issue 3; May - June 2021; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET/index; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

  

 

 

16 | A c a d e m i c  J o u r n a l  o f  S c i e n c e ,  E n g i n e e r i n g  a n d  T e c h n o l o g y  

|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJSET 

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