Date of Award
Spring 5-2018
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Alan Shiller
Advisor Department
Marine Science
Abstract
This study observed concentrations of lead, copper, and iron in university tap water over an eight-week span during and between the summer and fall semesters. First draw and 30s flush samples were taken after overnight stagnation from the Honor House, College Hall, J. B. George Building, and International Center bathrooms and analyzed with an inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS). There was no obvious correlation between time in the semester and metal concentrations. Relative iron levels rose and fell at the same time in all buildings, but there was little correlation between buildings for lead and copper concentrations. The Honor House had the highest first draw lead levels, and College Hall had the highest copper levels in both first draw and 30s flush samples. All of the 30s flush samples had lower metal concentrations than the first draw samples. Lead and copper concentration variations between buildings indicates influence from building infrastructure, while the correlations in iron concentrations between buildings indicates a probable system-wide factor.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
McLendon, Alison, "Lead, Copper, and Iron in University Tap Water" (2018). Honors Theses. 574.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/574