Water is an essential component in our life

urine is an inseparable comp championnt in our lifeCHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION1.1 Background pissing is an meaty component in our life and it suffer be found in a very large quantity on the earth. Without peeing, there would be no living congeal and animal. The piddle consumed by adult male originated in various forms and from various sources (Baba et al., 2008). Lately, the popularity of bottled mineral pissing with consumers has increased repayable to the change magnitude contamination of weewee resources. According to the International Bottled Water Association (2000), pictorial mineral water is water that clearly comes from underground sources. It is distinguished from ordinary drink water be come it is characterized by its content of certain mineral salts and their relative pro mint and the presence of pull elements of otherwise(a) atoms. Besides that, natural mineral water is overly delimit as groundwater that obtained directly for man consumption from drilled or natural sources from underground water (Malaysias Food Regulation, 1985).Nowadays lifestyles have moved most of the existence towards the portable and convenient bottled mineral water. With a lot of bottled mineral water brands available in the market ranging from high end names like Evian to topical anesthetic brands like Spritzer and Mesra, todays consumer has lots of choices thereby making it needed for the manufacturer of bottled mineral water to come out with unique st accountgies to stay up to date in this highly competitive market.Bottled mineral water has become an importance habit in peoples everyday lives. Bottled mineral water may even be needful, in case of temporary tap water contamination. Whatever be the reason, the trend towards consuming bottled water is predicted to increase in the coming years.Bottled water has been steadily increase over the past three decades collectible the dynamic sectors of the food and beverage industry. Water has endurances and sa les appeal in both food service segment. It besides free of sugar, calories and alcohol, and out menstruates juice, coffee and soda as a beverage for all day parts.Bottled mineral water consumption in the world is increasing by an average 7% each year, inspite of the fact that bottled mineral water has a higher(prenominal) price. The convenience of bottled water that mass be easily purchased at sell outlets and informal to get rid of is the major factor leading many to purchase bottled mineral water. These factors have led to the increasing global doing of bottled water, from estimated 142 one meg million million liters in 2002 to over 173 billion liters in 2006. Danone, Nestle, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo argon the worlds top four bottled mineral water companies. Although Coca-Cola and PepsiCo argon cognise as the big hundredated cracked drinks manufacturers, they have in addition noted the potential in the bottled mineral water market and have been developing their brands an d capabilities in this market. Although major consumers of bottled water are in Europe and North America, the most promising markets are in Asia Pacific with an annual ontogenesis rate of 15% (Frost and Sullivan, 2007).The increase in consumption in global with a high income is mainly due to the increasing awareness of the health preserving properties of water, both in its basic, hydrating function as well as a source of precious minerals. Table 1.1 shows how the world market of bottled water in the 2008, with Mexico being the highest consumption.Table 1.1 Per capita consumption of bottled water in leading countries (Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2008). unpolished Gallons Per Capita20032008Mexico41.559.1Italy47.154.0United Arab Emirates25.439.7Belgium35.139.0Germany31.934.8France39.134.6Spain33.531.9Lebanon25.430.5Hungary16.229.2United States21.628.5Switzerland25.426.3Austria22.726.1Thailand20.326.0 Bottled mineral water is a profitable market in Malaysia. The market is set to u ndergo greater product differentiation with participants expect to expand into functional and to improve on packaging in ready to obtain a higher share of the market. Competition is also predicted to increase with to a greater extent than private labels appearing in the market. Positive harvest-tide in this market has increased the interest of other manufacturers and distributors and the increasing competition is likely to financing the growth in the coming years.In Malaysia, there are differences between Natural mineral Water (NWM) and Packaged Drinking Water (PDW). Natural mineral water is defined as groundwater obtained for human consumption from underground water resources. It contains various minerals such as Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and calcium. Therefore, all NMW must(prenominal)(prenominal) comply with the standards as prescribe in Schedule 26 (Regulation 360A (7)), Food Regulations 1985. Packaged drinking water shall be potable water or treated potable water oth er than natural mineral water that is sealed in bottles or other compositors cases of packaging and is for human consumption. The source for this PDW can be from public water supply, emerge water or underground water. The simplest way to differentiate between these both types of bottled water is by the colour of the bottle cap. Multicoloured bottle caps are abandoned for natural mineral water while white bottle caps are unless for packaged drinking waterCompetition from water dispensed by vending machines, the price of bottled mineral water, and growing consumer awareness of the purlieual impact of bottled mineral water are found to be restraining bottled mineral water growth in Malaysia. Furthermore, the increasing of consumers concern for the surroundings, both in terms of the wastes resulting from the polyethyleneterepthalate (PET) bottles and the effect on the ecological system from wide scale water extraction, is also one of the reason for some consumers to prevent from purchasing bottled mineral water.1.2 Statement of problem ground on Latinopolous et al. (1997), a serious health effect that may cause by groundwater contamination is the reason for the increasing of public concern near the quality of groundwater resource in recent years. In puzzle, the public is getting more concerned about their health whereby they are more interested to know about the water they consume. The most severe contamination of groundwater was recently discovered, where millions of people are at risk and consumption of these lumbering metals contaminated water has caused widespread death and malady (Nickson et al., 1998). Heavy metals are critical in this regard because of their easy uptake into the food chain and because of bioaccumulation processes (Diagomanolin et al., 2004). It means that concentration of a chemical provide increase in our bodies over time. Our body absorbed these heavy metals from the environment and they are stored at a rate that is faster tha n they are metabolized or excreted from the body. In traces concentration, some heavy metals like copper and zinc are essential to maintaining good health and metabolism within the human body. But if the concentration level is higher enough, even beneficial metals can be toxic and envenom us.1.3 Objectives of the analyzeThis study tends to highlight the specific element of heavy metals present in each bottled mineral water. More specifically, the aims areTo measure the level of heavy metals in selected bottled mineral water.To compare and compile the selected analyzed water parameters with World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) water quality guidelines.1.4 Significant of the study This study focus on generating data that will provide information on the concentration of the elements found in selected mineral water for public solve. The data will help us to know whether the mineral water content present is in the add claimed by the manufacturers or not. This is important for human consumption purpose where the public have the right to know the exact content in bottled mineral water they consume and is the bottled mineral water is safe for drinking, relatively saturated from heavy metals. Humans nowadays also depend on bottled mineral water rather than tap water due to lack of contamination and it has a better taste. The concentration of these metals in the mineral water may vary depends on the location of the source and the companys manufacturer. 1.5 Thesis outline Overall, this thesis consist of vanadium chapters which purposely to assist in understanding and easy to organize though writing process. The chapters in this thesis have been organized as followsChapter 1 of this thesis discusses the background of the study, the statement of problem, the need for the study and lists of objectives.Chapter 2 primarily discusses on the literature review which are the theory and argumentation of the previous researcher about the topic. In t his chapter, there are explanations and details about the mineral water, classification and its characteristic, groundwater, groundwater contamination, drinking water quality, trace elements, human health effect, health relate guideline, bottled mineral water and lastly indication of bottled mineral water. This chapter will help us in further understanding the concept and why this topic is significant to be studied. Chapter 3 more focuses on research methodology. In this chapter research methodology is more on the way to analyze the concentration of trace element by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS Perkin Elmer Series 200). It is divided into several parts which were sample collection and preparation, elemental analysis, quality assurance and declare and also statistical analysis. Chapter 4 is focusing on the result and discussion. It also accept the statistical tools to analyze the precision of the data obtain in order to have a good data. It also state s the results and the data interpretation between the samples.Chapter 5 as the last chapter functions as a conclusion to the whole chapter in this thesis. It also consists of suggestion and recommendation for future study in improving the way of conducting the project. This is followed by references.CHAPTER 2LITERATURE REVIEW2.1 Water distributionWater is necessary for life due to its natural elements which play a central piece and it is important in human nutrition (Naddeo et al., 2008). Water is the fundamental constituent of animal organisms and it is the medium through which all metabolic reactions happen. Water is the medium for all biological processes and a basic and essential dietary constituent. In other words, water is essential for life and, therefore, must be available to all, adequate, safe, accessible wholesome and, above all, should not cause appreciable health hazards, as it is need for all other types of food (Sciacca and Conti, 2009).Malaysia which is located in the humid tropics is generally endowed with fairly abundant rainfall of 3000 mm annually (about 990 million cu/m), of which surface run-off is around 57%. However, seasonal distribution and variation, both temporally and spatially, provide some regions to be occasionally water-stressed. 60% of rain move between November and January annually. Fast flowing of economic growth in Malaysia in the recent years, combined with periodic occurrence of lengthy drought has brought the problems of water imbalance into sharper focus, especially where development is concentrated in water stress regions. There are more people than what a river basin and groundwater can support in some regions (JPS, 2008).From data compiled by the Department of Environment (2005), the overall trend points to a slow but steady becoming worse in the water quality of rivers around the country. River systems as a whole, with or without confining reservoirs, 97% are estimated to contribute to the raw water supply sour ce. The increasing tribe growth, coupled with rapid artless and industrial development, the availability of small numbers of water resources to meet increasing water demand is fast becoming a pressing issue. Due to lack access to clean water resources, consumption of bottled mineral water increased (Al Fraij et al., 1999). 2.2 GroundwaterIt is estimated that more than 50% of the worlds population depends on groundwater for drinking (Fry 2005). Groundwater is the only source of drinking water for many unsophisticated and small communities (Hani 1990). Groundwater naturally results from irrigate that infiltrate from the land surface and percolate to the underlying strata. Groundwater must be free from organisms that are capable of causing disease and also from minerals and organic substances that could produce adverse physiological effects to make it safe for human consumption. Drinking water should be aesthetically acceptable that it should be free from apparent turbidity, colour and odour and from any objectionable taste. Drinking water should also be at a relatively sensible temperature. Water meeting these conditions is described potable, meaning that it may be consumed in any desired amount without giving any adverse effects to humans health (Cotruvo and Vogt, 1990). There is high interest on the quality of groundwater all over the world due to severe problems of water stress and deterioration of water quality. The quality of groundwater highly depends on the composition o, the mineralogy, recharging water and reactivity of the geological formations in aquifers, the impact of human and industrial activities and the environmental parameters that can bring effects to the geochemical mobility of certain substances (Kouras et al., 2007). 2.2.1 Occurrence of groundwaterGroundwater forms by part of the natural water cycle and constitutes a major portion of the cycle. Voids, spaces and cracks between particles of soil, sand, gravel, rock or other materials can be a stored place for groundwater (William et al., 1993). Groundwater is occurred in various types of geological formation and exists in permeable geologic formation called aquifers which can store and transmit water. In many areas of the world, water does not flow in and is not stored in large underground lakes or rivers. It is stored in and moves slowly through the aquifer. Groundwater resources are underutilized in most parts of Malaysia (Jasni et al., 2006). The hydrogeology of Peninsular Malaysia could be simplified and divided into 4 major aquifers that represent in Table 2.1.Table 2.1 Types of aquifers found in Malaysia (Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia, 2004)Types DescriptionAquifers in Alluvial DepositsLimestone/Carbonate Rock AquifersAquifers in Sedimentary and Volcanic RocksAquifers in pellucid Igneous RocksAquifers in the alluvial deposits occur along the coastal zones of Malaysia and are made up of Quaternary deposits consisting of gravel, sand, silt and cl ay. The extent, nature and composition of the alluvium vary at different localities.This type of aquifer is made up of carbonate rocks (limestone and marble). The quality of the groundwater is generally good but has moderate to high total dissolved solids due to soluble bicarbonates.These aquifers are represented by fractures within sandstone, quartzite, conglomerate and volcanic rocks. The water from these aquifers is generally of medium to good quality.Fractures within crystalline rocks and associated rocks, form this type of aquifer. The quality of water is generally good to excellent with low total dissolved solids. Based on Wilson et al. (1983), groundwater comprises water from springs or from wells and boreholes used to equal water from the aquifers by means of pumps. Deep wells or boreholes provide usually water of excellent bacteriological quality. Groundwater is therefore often used without any treatment, except physicochemical ones to reduce hardness or eliminate off flav ors and odors. The water pumped from boreholes or shallow wells, however, is easily exposed to pollution and contamination. Depending on the type of aquifer, the type of soil and its protective effect against pollution, the physicochemical characteristics of the water, and the levels of the microbial plant may be very low (Bischofberger et al., 1990). 105-107 cfu/mL of microbial flora have been reported. In such cases, microbial and chemical contaminants may reach groundwater sources through wells, due to infiltration, leakage of solids at the surface, leaks in pipelines, effects of agricultural treatments, foil contamination between aquifers, water fluxes due to rainfalls, etc (Wilson et al., 1983). According to Aastrup and Thunholm (2000), groundwater can be considered both as storage of metals, as the movement in the groundwater zone generally is quite slow, and as a transporting agent for metals. In natural ecosystems it is the only agent for horizontal transport within rechar ge areas.2.3 Groundwater consumption in MalaysiaAs surface water is readily available throughout the year, it is abstracted mainly for irrigation and domestic uses. Some pockets of the coastal region and is generally exploited by rural people to supplement their piped water supply can limiting the groundwater potential. Surface water represents 97% of the total water use, while groundwater represents 3%. About 60-65% of groundwater workout is for domestic and municipal purposes, 5% for irrigation and 30-35% for industry (FAO, 2007).2.4 Groundwater contaminationSince the beginning of this century, we have been living in a sophisticated chemical world (Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay, 2000). Groundwater contamination can gives major implications to humans health and the environment in urban areas (Dechesne et al., 2004). The groundwater beneath polluted urban areas may be contaminated by heavy metals and trace elements and may contain a wide variety of organic compounds, all of which have a major effect on the water supply and the environment (Vidal et al., 2000). In this chemical world, the pollutants that occur in our environment can be separate into two categories that are natural and synthetic. The natural pollutants are derived from the decay of plant substances, flow of water through rocks that contain fossil fuel and transportation as air or water borne components derived from volcanic eruptions or forest fires. standardised compounds, as those released naturally, may also be derived as a synthetic by product from anthropogenic sources. Therefore, pollutants can be derived from a number of two sources in a natural ecosystem especially in the aquatic regime. The sources of some of the pollutants are often difficult to predict and (Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay, 2000). Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay (2000) also claimed that the distribution of inorganic elements in the groundwater is universal. They occur as suspended particulates or dissolved as elements, ions, or com plex molecules. Some of them are toxic and carcinogenic to humans and other biohabitats. Based on Zhang (1993), rapid industrial development in the last few years has added huge loads of pollutants to our groundwater aquifer. Diagomanolin et al. (2004) also postulated that the progress of industries has led to increased procession of pollutants into ecosystems. Contaminants can differentiate as inorganic or organic chemicals, radionuclides, and microorganisms. Mineral based and do not contain carbon are called the inorganic mineral. They may occur naturally or enter the lavatory from farming or industrial discharge. Examples of inorganic contaminants are lead, nitrates, and arsenic. Organic chemicals contain carbon and access the wethed from agricultural and industrial run off. Volatile organic chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been associated with cancer and neurological and reproductive health effects. Examples include gasoline and degreasing and dry cleaning solvents. There are over 30 standards for synthetic organic chemicals, many of which are pesticides (Afzal, 2006)Based on Leeuwen (2000), there are many sources of contamination of drinking water. Widely they can be categorized into two categories that are contaminants in ground and surface water. The sources for drinking water production and contaminants used or formed during the treatment and distribution of drinking water. Contaminants in ground and surface water will range from natural substances leaching from soil, run-off from agricultural activities, controlled discharge from sewage treatment works and industrial plants, and uncontrolled discharges or leakage from landfill sites and from chemical accidents or disasters. Contaminants that occurred naturally are predominantly formed by inorganic compounds such as arsenic and manganese, which are derived from natural mineral formations. Organic compounds, pesticides, disinfectants and disinfectant by products are usually introd uced by anthropogenic activity.taboo of these pollutants, heavy metals are of major concern because of their persistent and bioaccumulative nature. Heavy metal is one of the most serious inorganic contaminants in drinking water on a worldwide region (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). These heavy metals can enter into the groundwater system by weathering and erosion or anthropogenic due to industrial processing, agricultural run off and sewage disposal (Kaushik et al., 2009). Heavy metals concentration can increase due to the industrial effluents, non-point pollution sources, as well as atmospheric heedlessness (Klavins et al., 2000). The presence of toxic pollutants in groundwater has to be avoided in order to preserve the environmental quality because it can bring about significant changes in the properties of water resources (Natale et al., 2008).Anthropogenic activity has often been the reason for the mobilization of natural heavy metal deposits (Vidal et al., 2000). Heavy metal co ntamination in drinking water sources is known widely and has give effects to the population for many generations. Volcanic, geo thermal and mining activities, in conjunction with evapoconcentration in the arid climate, are the well known causes for the increasing levels of heavy metal concentrations in groundwater (Karcher et al., 1999). Heavy metals can be mobilized from initially inert minerals through mining activity. Acid drainage amnionic fluid from mining areas can be highly enriched with toxic levels of heavy metals (Nordstrom et al., 2000). 2.5 Mineral waterMineral water may represent a good source of nutrition which is necessary for the needs of human body (Ekmekcioglu, 2000). Mineral water always contains various minerals and trace elements (Saleh et al., 2001), and can be defined as water containing minerals which are natural compounds formed through geological processes or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic properties which gives good healing to any disease (Warburton et al., 1992). Human beings required minerals for nutrition, growth, sustaining body functions and well being (Baba et al., 2008). These minerals have various effects on the humans health (WHO, 2008). The demand for natural mineral waters is increasing due to the increasing of pollution in drinking water. The quality of drinking water is significant for health in both developing and certain countries worldwide (Cemek et al., 2007). According to Wilson et al. (1983), mineral water is drawn from underground sources such as a bore holes or a springs. Mineral waters are different regarding to their composition and content in minerals. Natural mineral water that comes from the groundwater is the most valuable freshwater resource on the earth (Madan et al., 1999) and it plays an important role in drinking water supply all over the world and is often preferred for drinking water supply and it deemed to be the best water for the consumption of human (Solt an, 1999). Natural mineral waters have long been used for medical purposes (Albu et al., 1997). The term natural mineral water is defined as it originates in an underground water table or deposit, it differs from treated water in its original purity that is bacteriologically healthy and its content of minerals, trace minerals and other constituents, which must remain constant. Only natural mineral water has the characteristics that can benefits human health. Natural mineral water can be sparkling or still. During bottling, the carbon dioxide that causes carbonation also can be natural or added. Bottling is done at the source and treatments to make partial changes to the composition of or purify natural mineral water bacteriologically are prohibited (Cemek et al., 2007).Mineral water run across highly mineralised rocks. The geological sources of natural mineral water are known as aquifers, which can be from different types, and they differ greatly in terms of their depth, horizontal extent, composition, and permeability. Water filtering underground flows slowly through deep permeable rocks and sediments and diffuses into the acquit interstitial space of the rocks. Water picks up minerals and other elements depending on the chemical make-up of the strata while passing through the underground strata. This is why they have higher concentrations of minerals and trace minerals than other kinds of water (Botezatu et al., 2005).According to Misund et al. (1999), natural mineral water is characterized by its mineral content, trace elements or other constituents and, where appropriate, by certain effects, also by being in its original state, both conditions having been preserved intact because of the underground origin of the water which has been protected from all risk of pollution. The composition, temperature and other essential characteristics of natural mineral water must remain stable at source within the limits of natural fluctuation. In particular, they must no t be stirred by possible variations in the rate of flow. Mineral waters may be gaseous or non gaseous. Disinfections are not allowed in terms of treatment. The only treatment authorized is filtration or decanting and the addition or removal of carbon dioxide.Based on Petraccia et al. (2006), mineral waters are of underground origin, protected from contamination, and microbiologically wholesome, present a peculiar and constant chemical composition, and have favorable effects on health. To ensure it is safe, they must be bottled at source and checked containers. Mineral water does not simply mean containing minerals in fact waters that run underground and are enriched with minerals by contact with rocks cannot be considered mineral waters unless they do not possess therapeutic properties.2.6 Classification and characteristics of mineral waters Based on Petraccia et al. (2006), natural mineral waters can be classified into potable waters, dietetic waters, and healing waters. Bottled d ietetic waters showed that it can be used to restore salts and hydrate through experimental evidence and are efficacious in low sodium diets and provide the right calcium intake in particular conditions. Healing waters possess pharmacological and clinical properties related to prevention and treatment of specific pathologies. They are used in thermal establishments, under medical control, for drinking, irrigations, inhalations, and baths. The main classification parameters for mineral waters are rate of flow, temperature, freezing point, dry residues at 180oC, predominant ion composition, and predominant biological activity. The rate of flow of the spring must be stable, and ground water table must be deep, with a sufficiently large basin. Waters can be cold waters based on its temperature that is temperature at source up to 20oC and thermal waters that is temperature higher than 20oC. Based on the freezing point mineral waters are categorized into isotonic, hypotonic, and hyperton ic. Freezing point is influenced by osmotic atmospheric pressure and mineral concentration. Based on dry residues at 180oC that is total salts in grams after evaporation of 1 L mineral water at 180oC, waters can be divided based on their mineral contents. Table 2.2 shows the classification of mineral content in water whereas Table 2.3 shows the current Italian classification that is based on the predominant chemical elements resulting in the biological and healing effects of the mineral water.Table 2.2 Classification of mineral content in water (Petraccia et al., 2006)Mineral content Dry residue (mg/l)Low50 and Medium500 and High1500Table 2.3 Current Italian classification (Petraccia et al., 2006)Types DescriptionBicarbonate waterbicarbonate content greater than 600mg/lSulfate watersulfate content greater than 200mg/lChlorinated waterchloride content greater than 200mg/lCalcium watercalcium content greater than 150mg/lMagnesium watermagnesium content greater than 50mg/l