Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am starting a project on mercury, arsenic and lead. I want to test water levels for these substances, but where abouts should I test the water? I don't know if it should be near a certain kind of industrial area, or near a mine (what kind of mine tho?). Please help!

K2

Hi k-squared,

It's important to look at what resources are around you. What area do you live in (e.g. state or explain what you are most surrounded with). Telling us more information would definitely help.

Regards,
Sareena

Also, how will you analyze the concentration of those metals in your water samples? If you know the minimum detectable concentration for your analytical method, and the approximate expected concentration in your samples, you can save youself the effort of analyzing a bunch of samples and not detecting any mercury, lead, or arsenic.

They are always there, but sometimes you can't measure the amount.