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Question:

The concentration of fluoride, lead, nitrate and iron in a water sample from an underground lake was found to be 1000 ppb, 40 ppb, 100 ppm and 0.2 ppm, respectively. This water is unsuitable for drinking due to high concentration of: nitrate, lead, iron, fluoride?

nitrate

fluoride

lead

iron

Solution:

Fluoride = 1000 ppb = 1000/1000 = 1 ppm
Lead = 40 ppb = 40/1000 ppm = 0.04 ppm
We can see that the concentration of nitrate is maximum (100 ppm). Note: > 40 ppm gives blue baby syndrome disease.
Hence, this water is unsuitable for drinking due to the high concentration of nitrate.