Nitrate and arsenic concentration status in Zamzam water, Holly Mecca Almocarama, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Many Muslims people drink Zamzam water either for medicinal or religious purpose; however, some study recorded that the water is contaminated by nitrate and arsenic. The main objective of this investigation is to evaluate the water for drinking focusing on nitrate and arsenic. The chemical, total dissolved salts (TDS), major, minor and trace elements, and microbial, total colony counts, total coliforms group, and E.coli, analyses were carried out and compared with WHO standards. The acquired results recorded that the TDS, soluble ions, trace element including As and NO3 - fall within the acceptable limits. Furthermore, the water found free of total colony counts (CFU) and E. coli contaminations. On the other hand, 6.9% of the studied water found contaminated with total Coliform group. This study found lithium ion in high concentration with an average of 0.184 mg L-1 in studied water. Although no maximum contamination level set for lithium either by WHO or EPA; however, many studies confirmed that the lithium can decrease the incidence rates of suicide, homicide, and rape.