Science Fair Project on cleaning water from oil sands production.

[deleted-328840]

Hello, I would like to do my science fair project on cleaning the processed water after oil sands production using silver nano particles and sunlight. I don't have access to oil sands waste water, and I'm wondering if I can replicate the contaminants (naphthenic acids) in water using something else. Also, what can I use to test the cleanliness of the water after it has been treated? I would love to be able to do my project on this topic, and would appreciate any help that you can give me. Thank you, Kyle.

[lynnsamuelson]

Hello Kyle,

Silver nanoparticles to purify water is a really cool topic that could be useful, but this particular experiment is not practical to do outside a laboratory with the proper safety equipment. For instance, naphthenic acids are acutely toxic with the hazards being:

Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), category 4 Skin irritation, category 2 Eye irritation, category 2 Skin sensitisation, category 1 Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single exposure, category 3 - See more at: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/help-welcom ... #pictogram

Also, most often they are detected with very expensive instruments called LC/MS. Nor am I certain where you would find silver nanoparticles.

If you are interested in doing a project on water purification in general, here are some suggestions:

1) This experiment may be able to be modified to use silver nanoparticles if you can get some.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

2) If you would prefer to examine solubility, modifying this experiment could work.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p016.shtml

3) If you are interested in the detection of molecules, then one of these could be relevant. The dyes in ink are similar in structure to naphthenic acids, however, dyes are not typically water soluble.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p010.shtml

I know these are not as closely related to oil sands as you may like, but they do have some similarities in techniques and concepts. I would be happy to help relate any of these back to oil sands or help refine a project once you've had time to look at these. Also, I will think about other options.

Good luck and let me know if you need more advice.

Lynn