Measuring Heavy Metals Content in Wastewater using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

In the present study, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied for the determination of chromium and cadmium contents in wastewater of different canneries surrounding by leather factories. The plasma was generated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser having a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm and delivers maximum pulse energy of 180 mJ. Experimental conditions were optimized to improve the sensitivity and to get a reasonable signal from the generated plasma. The results show that the concentration of chromium and cadmium are varying in different samples depending on the incoming flow of the wastewater from factories. The results from LIBS and standard analytical technique called flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) were compared and found in good agreement within the experimental uncertainties.