Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm in the process of researching my project and i just wanted to know how can copper sulfate pentahydrate affect the ecosystem ?

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

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?

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

Hi Heather

Can you help me find a mentor who has experience about this topic or can guide me through this project?

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!

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