Trace Metal Analysis of Drinking Water.

By: Leilani Edwards

Mentor: Mike Foley

South Shore Estuary

Introduction

Trace metals are the small amounts of metals (less than 1 milligram per liter—mg/l) in water, usually due to their insolubility; that are released into the environment through the expenditure of living organisms such as plants. These metals include iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium, and selenium

Periodic Table

Courtesy of ClipArt. com

Trace Metals (larger view)

•Courtesy of ClipArt. com

Introduction Part II

Trace metal analysis is the process of discovering exactly what metals and how much of these metals are present in a solution. This is done by using very sensitive machines that separate the metals by boiling point.

Another method of determining the level of trace metal is to use a spectrophotometer.

Where Trace Metals Occur

Trace metals can be found in various

places.

Vitamin supplements Decaying plantsMining and

Manufacturing

Problem to Investigate

Due to the fact that trace metals are absorbed by rainwater and are carried out into the sea through soil leaching and various other methods it has a specific level of trace metals.

This mission plans to investigate whether or not this level is lower in the drinking water on Long Island.

Possible Procedure

• A sample of sea water and a sample of drinking water are to be taken from strategic points around the beach at Point Lookout

• The level of trace metals are to be recorded using a machine that can calculate this level in parts per trillion (ppt)

Expected Results

• I expect that the sea water will have a higher level of trace metals than the drinking water due to the enormous measures taken to purify the drinking water.

References

• http://darwin.nap.edu/books/0309026199/html ( Drinking Water and Health Volume I (1977))

• http://glossary.eea.europa.eu/EEAGlossary/S/soil_leaching

• http://www.nalms.org/glossary/lkward_t.htm

• http://h2o.enr.State.m.us/lab/qa/epamethods

Acknowledgements

• Mr. Irwin

• Mr. Mike Foley

• South Shore Estuary

• Dr. Sat

• Harlem Children Society

• Freeport High School