CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME TRACE-METALS FROM THE EXPORT PROCESSING ZONEAND A COASTAL TOURIST AREA IN MAURITIUS USING INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY

The concentrations of six trace metals - chromium, nickel, copper, zin c, cadmium, and lead (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) were determined in t he freshwater system at Flic en Flac and upstream and downstream Grand River North West (GRNW) to assess the impact of hotel and industrial activities of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Mauritius during 199 6-1997. The trace metals Cr and Pb exceeded the proposed revised pollu tion limit in either river or marsh at Flic en Flac and upstream and d ownstream GRNW. Cr, Zn, and Pb were significantly higher in rainwater compared to upstream GRNW values, indicating that airborne lead and zi nc are significant from vehicle emissions. The concentration of Cr inc reased about two-fold downstream GRNW. For comparison purposes, Cr was about two-fold significantly higher downstream GRNW compared to downs tream Flic en Flac, indicating the release of effluents containing chr omates by the textile industries in the EPZ. The contamination of rain water by airborne lead and zinc was significant and considered to aris e from the heavy use of leaded petrol and lubricating oils containing zinc additives. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.