Atomic spectrometric evaluation of the total soluble concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na present in Venezuelan bottled waters

Concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na in several bottled water brands expended in Maracaibo City (Venezuela) were established by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (for Ca, Fe, and Mg), flame atomic emission spectrometry (K and Na) and electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (Al). Results were compared with those recommended by national and international drinking water guidelines. Fifteen commercial brands were studied and the following metal ranges were obtained: Al1-144 mu g/L; Ca 0.07-50 mg/L; Fe undetectable (UD)-400 mu g/L; K 0.2-10.1 mg/L; Mg 0.05-59 mg/L; Na 4-53 mg/L. It was found that only three bottled waters are convenient for human consumption, exhibiting the following metal concentrations: Crystal, 1.3 plus or minus 0.6 mu g/L Al, 21.2 plus or minus 2.0 mg/L Ca, UD Fe, 0.8 plus or minus 0.02 mg/L K, 3.0 plus or minus 0.1 mg/L Mg, y 13.0 plus or minus 0.1 mg/L Na; Minalba, 11.8 plus or minus 7.2 mu g/L Al, 15.4 plus or minus 8.5 mg/L Ca, UD Fe, 1.2 plus or minus 0.02 mg/L K, 6.2 plus or minus 3.0 mg/L Mg, y 12.8 plus or minus 1.4 mg/L Na; San Bernardo, 8.6 plus or minus 4.3 mu g/L Al, 16.0 plus or minus 4.2 mg/L Ca, UD Fe, 1.88 plus or minus 0.18 mg/L K, 15.2 plus or minus 10.9 mg/L Mg, y 13.0 plus or minus 2.8 mg/L for Na. The detection limits (3 sigma ) were 0.4 mu g/L Al, 40 mu g/L Ca, 70 mu g/L Fe, 100 mu g/L K, 1 mu g/L Mg, 20 mu g/L Na. The spectrometric techniques used were precise and accurate, representing trustful analytical alternatives for the determination of these metals in environmental samples.