Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

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deleted-146686
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:07 am
Occupation: Student 12th grade
Project Question: how copper sulfate will affect the ecosystem.
Project Due Date: march 28 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-146686 »

I'm in the process of researching my project and i just wanted to know how can copper sulfate pentahydrate affect the ecosystem ?
deleted-71536
Former Expert
Posts: 895
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:59 pm
Occupation: Professor
Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-71536 »

Hi Miguel,

Have you tried doing an internet search about this? A quick search turned up some information like this:
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/ex ... e-ext.html
http://www.aquaticbiologists.com/aquati ... er-sulfate
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Che ... Id=PC33541

You can also search http://scholar.google.com to find scientific articles about the topic.

I hope this helps. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Heather
deleted-146686
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:07 am
Occupation: Student 12th grade
Project Question: how copper sulfate will affect the ecosystem.
Project Due Date: march 28 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-146686 »

Hi Heather and thank you for the help. And i do have more questions about this topic. How does copper sulfate pentahydrate get into the environment?
deleted-71536
Former Expert
Posts: 895
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:59 pm
Occupation: Professor
Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-71536 »

Hi Miguel,

It looks like copper(II) sulfate is used as a fungicide, herbicide, and pesticide. When chemicals are applied to things that are growing (in nature or agriculture), those chemicals often run off into waterways and contaminate the environment.

Here is the Wikipedia article about surface runoff: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff Keep in mind that Wikipedia is a jumping-off point to more reliable sources, but it will give you an idea of what to research for your background information.

Best,
Heather
deleted-146686
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:07 am
Occupation: Student 12th grade
Project Question: how copper sulfate will affect the ecosystem.
Project Due Date: march 28 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-146686 »

Hi Heather

Can you help me find a mentor who has experience about this topic or can guide me through this project?
deleted-143835
Former Expert
Posts: 118
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:19 pm
Occupation: Mentor/Moderator
Project Question: I'm registering because I'm interested in volunteering with the Ask an Expert program to help students with their science fair projects.
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-143835 »

Hi Miguel,

Are you looking for a mentor to simply answer questions, or a mentor who can offer you some lab space to work in? In either case, I'd suggest drafting an email, perhaps attaching your resume, and sending a request for a research opportunity to several professors in your field at a nearby university. Of course, several professors are very busy, but chances are you will at least get a few replies. Just remember to make it clear whether you want a question-answer kind of thing that can be easily and relatively infrequently discussed over email, or whether you want lab space, as the two are very different in terms of the mentor's time commitment.

Good luck!
deleted-71536
Former Expert
Posts: 895
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:59 pm
Occupation: Professor
Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Heavy Metals and Aquatic Environments

Post by deleted-71536 »

Hi Miguel,

ScibuddyAK already gave you some great advice. Here is some more information about how to find a mentor: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml

Your project is not in my area of expertise, and I do not personally know someone who can serve as your mentor. But searching the websites of local universities can go a long way toward finding someone who can help.

Please keep us posted on your progress!

Heather
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