The bioaccumulation of heavy metals has a dangerous impact on our environment with the amount of air and water pollution it can cause. While this pollution is increasing throughout the world, it is already a reality in West Texas. With the amount of oil and gas production, the groundwater that becomes our tap water has increasing amounts of heavy metals. On the University of Texas Permian Basin’s campus, we have multiple gas wells including ones that are still in production. Soil samples were taken outside of a working well to be treated and analyzed for traces of Lead, Manganese, Chromium and Nickel. Using a grid of ten squares, three ten-centimeters soil samples were taken from each spot and treated with acid and placed in a digestion block. The results were taken using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and showed low concentrations of heavy metals.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in West Texas

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.