Abstract
Access to safe and clean drinking water has been declared a basic human right by the world health organization (WHO). However, several communities in African countries do not have access to potable water resources. Researchers worldwide have reported on the pollution of drinking water supplies by various contaminants such as metals, bacteria, phenolic compounds, viruses etc. Water pollution by toxic metals and phenolic compounds can be attributed to natural sources and anthropogenic sources such as agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities. It is therefore important to determine the concentrations of major and trace metals and phenolic compounds in drinking water due to their toxic properties and negative health effects even at low concentrations. Hence, the main objectives of this study were to determine the concentration levels of major and trace metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V and Zn) and phenolic compounds (phenol, 4-nitrophenol, pentachlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol) in the drinking water of Romanslaagte village, Whittlesea (Eastern Cape, South Africa)...
M.Sc. (Chemistry)