Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hey there,

Anyone know a water lab around here that i could test water in? Or anyone know any other ways to test water for metals?

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

RV

Hi bball23,

Where do you live? If you would like to know more about methods to clean rivers and such, you should definitely look into phytoremediation and rhizofiltration. You might want to check this website out for more ideas:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... ?from=Home

From what I have looked up, detecting metal in water requires expensive and advanced equipment. I am sure there are simpler methods that would be suitable. How much do you know about heavy metals? If you don't know much, you should definitely read up on why heavy metals are toxic to organisms. Look into how metals intefere with aquatic life; with your information you might find a simple way for detection.

I hope this helps.

Sareena

One way to test water quality, pH, metals, etc. is with a Hach Kit. If you can find a water quality lab or research college or university nearby-go to the analytical chemistry dept. and explain to them what you are doing. I am sure you'll find someone happy to help you out. A wastewater treatment plant would also have ways of testing water quality.

A second route would be to do a survey of macro-invertebrates. Aquatic insects are good indicators of water quality.

This site may be of help to you:
http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/html/benthosclean.html

Good luck!
[

quote="bball23"]Hey there,

Anyone know a water lab around here that i could test water in? Or anyone know any other ways to test water for metals?

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

RV[/quote]

LisaBug wrote:One way to test water quality, pH, metals, etc. is with a Hach Kit. If you can find a water quality lab or research college or university nearby-go to the analytical chemistry dept. and explain to them what you are doing. I am sure you'll find someone happy to help you out. A wastewater treatment plant would also have ways of testing water quality.

A second route would be to do a survey of macro-invertebrates. Aquatic insects are good indicators of water quality.

This site may be of help to you:
http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/html/benthosclean.html

Good luck!
[

quote="bball23"]Hey there,

Anyone know a water lab around here that i could test water in? Or anyone know any other ways to test water for metals?

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

RV

[/quote]

I would try calling a hardware store... people who drink well water need to check that it is good. Also a pet store (fish!) might sell such a thing. I got a free water test kit from a bottled water company- they gave away test kits to try and convince people that their water was full of metals, etc. so you would buy bottled water. (but it was only enough chemicals to do one sample)

You should decide what things you want to test specifically, since each parameter (pH, metals, etc) requires a different test. Once you make a decision, people can help with specific tests.

Do you have access to a chemistry lab? Many of these tests are simple titrations with common chemicals.

Louise