Urban runoff is a contributing factor to poor water quality and can cause damaging effects if the level of pollution is not closely monitored. This particular issue has been a question of some interest due to the high level of deicing road treatment that occurs on campus at MWSU. The treatment involves usual salting techniques, thus, this project sought to examine mineral content such as sodium and calcium that might be the result of that practice, as well as overall hardness of the runoff water in question. Two particular elements that contribute to water hardness are calcium and magnesium. Water hardness of samples obtained from MWSU parking lots during spring runoff periods was measured using commercial indicator strips, PXRF (which was inconclusive), and EDTA titration. Collections were made from the perimeters of the stream and ponds on campus over a period of five years. The results showed an increase of calcium and decrease of magnesium over time. Other minerals of environmental interest, such as sodium and potassium, were also examined using PXRF and FAA.

Analysis of mineral content in MWSU parking lot runoff water using PXRF, FAA, and EDTA titration

249th National Meeting (2015)

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