Abstract
Periodic testing and analysis for lead contamination in surface waters is important to better prevent tragedies like the one currently happening in Flint, Michigan. For this project, water samples will be taken from various locations in South Florida, and the locations will be recorded using GPS coordinates listed as degrees, minutes, and seconds. The samples will then be analyzed for lead concentration using an Atomic Absorption Flame Spectrometer; the vales will be recorded in ppm. Finally, the concentrations of lead from environments that have little to no development will be compared to that of urban and rural locations. This type of comparison can be used to assess the safety of future water sources by determining areas with higher lead concentrations and by quantifying the effect of humans on the different types of environments.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Maria Ballester
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
Analyzing South Florida's Waterways for Lead Contamination
Alvin Sherman Library
Periodic testing and analysis for lead contamination in surface waters is important to better prevent tragedies like the one currently happening in Flint, Michigan. For this project, water samples will be taken from various locations in South Florida, and the locations will be recorded using GPS coordinates listed as degrees, minutes, and seconds. The samples will then be analyzed for lead concentration using an Atomic Absorption Flame Spectrometer; the vales will be recorded in ppm. Finally, the concentrations of lead from environments that have little to no development will be compared to that of urban and rural locations. This type of comparison can be used to assess the safety of future water sources by determining areas with higher lead concentrations and by quantifying the effect of humans on the different types of environments.
