The significance of natural environmental factors in the distribution of copper in potable waters of Sri Lanka

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Abstract
A survey carried out on the copper content in drinking water wells in Sri Lanka shows that the island could be divided into four main zones based on the copper content. Among the natural factors that are of relevance in the distribution are the geologic, topographic, climatic, paedologic and structural factors. It is shown that the geochemical status of an element in a particular area must necessarily influence its uptake through food and drinking water. The understanding of the controls on the concentration of metals in natural waters and soil solutions apart from helping in the study of a real incidence of certain diseases of man and animals, greatly facilitates the treatment of water for domestic and industrial use.