Determination of Trace Metals, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Other Water Standards in WMU Drinking Water

Author

Tyler Walter, Western Michigan UniversityFollow

Date of Defense

4-18-2013

Date of Graduation

4-2013

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Carla Koretsky

Second Advisor

Michael Barcelona

Third Advisor

Steven Bertman

Abstract

The USEPA creates drinking water maximum contamination levels to support safety in all environments. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Watersafe® Drinking Water Test kits, and solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography were used to assess the safety of drinking water in three buildings (Davis Hall, the Chemistry Building, and the Dalton Center) on the campus of Western Michigan University. ICP-OES was used to determine the concentration of several trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and As), Watersafe® Drinking Water Test kits were used to determine the concentration of common contaminants and conditions (E. coli, pesticides atrazine and simazine, NO₃-/NO₂-, total N, Cl, pH, and hardness), and solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography was used to determine the concentration of several volatile organic compounds of concern (toluene, ethylbenzene, total xylene, and chlorobenzene) in the water samples. Most trace metals and common contaminants and conditions were present at levels below primary EPA standards, while some contaminants were above secondary EPA standards. However, the presence of elevated toluene levels in one sample from the Dalton Center suggests that further screening and testing for this contaminant may be warranted.

Comments

Powerpoint accompanying.

Recommended Citation

Walter, Tyler, "Determination of Trace Metals, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Other Water Standards in WMU Drinking Water" (2013). Honors Theses. 2308.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2308

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access