Determination of some trace metals in elsaraf dam (GEDAREF)

In this study the part of the plant analyzed was the root, while by the soil we mean the soil which is in direct contact with the plant root. This analysis was carried to find the relation between the concentrations of the free ions in water, the mobile ions in the soil in contact with the root of the plant and the ions uptake by the plant as well as the movement of these ions between different reservoirs. The nutrient elements, (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co) showed higher concentrations than toxic elements (Cr, Ni, Cd). Because of its natural abundance, iron has the highest concentration (54900/56600, 33580/36800), manganese has shown the second highest concentration, followed by nickel and zinc. Copper, cobalt and chromium have shown relatively similar concentrations, while cadmium has shown the lowest concentration. In general, almost for all elements the soils have shown higher concentration followed by the plant and then water. Cyperus rotandus has shown high affinity towards most of the metal ions, while the rest of plants have shown almost similar affinity. Because of the generally low concentration of metal ions in water, preconcentration was used using 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) and ammonium pyrolidine dithiocarbamate APDC to extract (pre concentrate) the metal ions at the optimum parameters before measurement in AAS.(Author)