Estimation of the lake water pollution by determination of 18 elements using ICP-MS method and their statistical analysis.

Eighteen elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn) were determined in water taken from Malta Lake. All the analyses were made using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method (ICP-MS). In our investigations we focused on the variability of the element content in water from a number of sampling stations and over different seasons. The obtained results were submitted to statistical analysis. First, the results were interpreted using the analysis of variance test (ANOVA). This has revealed differences in concentration for the majority of elements with regard to seasons. Then, cluster analysis (CA) and factor analysis (FA) were applied to explore similarities between sampling stations. Neither of these have demonstrated any grouping. Finally, factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), applied to show the grouping of elements, revealed how different sampling stations are related to each other.

Environmental applications of ICP-MS for simultaneous determination of trace elements and statistical data analysis.

Water samples collected from two lakes separated from each other by the cascade of four small lowland reservoirs were subjected to analyses in order to compare contamination levels in these ecosystems. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine eight elements: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Li, Mn, Sb, and Zn. Statistical methods were applied in order to assess the degree of self-purification of water, during its flow from Swarzedzkie Lake to Malta Lake. Obtained distinctly, lower concentrations of all studied elements in Malta Lake than in Swarzedzkie Lake indicated the role of self-purification processes, which occurred in the distance between these lakes.

Spatial distribution of major and trace elements in the water of Swarzedzkie Lake (Poland).

In order to characterize the contamination of the Swarzedzkie Lake and generate elemental distribution patterns 18 elements have been determined in samples of water, taken just above the bottom sediments. Analyses were carried out using two instrumental techniques - ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Two main sources of contamination were identified - diffuse pollution from agriculture and stormwater from the town. Three separate groups of elements were distinguished using cluster analysis and two groups using principal component analysis. These three groups are characterized as geogenic elements (Ag, As, Mg and Sb), elements supplied by the agricultural catchment (Ca, Mn, Sr, Na, K and Al) and elements originated from the urban contamination (Ni, Cr, Cu, Fe, V, Ba, Zn and Pb). PCA differentiated the above group of urban elements from the rest, originated from diffuse sources, with exception of alluminium, which was situated between two distinguished groups.