RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

Director: Dr. Cheryl J. Lewis
Coordinator of Research: Dr.Linda Hayden


CHEMISTRY'S TEAM PAGE

ANALYSIS OF UNFILTERED AND FILTERED DRINKING WATER OF ELIZABETH CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR HARDNESS

TEAM MEMBERS:


Sabrina Butts , Senior
Veronica Overton, Junior

MENTOR:


Dr. Mohhammed A. Alam


ABSTRACT

Water is one of the most indispensible compound for life. In order for any species to exist, it must have a source of water. Therefore, in humans pure water is essential for healthy living. The purpose for this research is to conduct a hard water analysis of drinking water taken from two residences in Elizabeth City, one resident in Virginia Beach, VA, a brand of Deer Park Spring Water, manufactured by the Deer Park Spring Company, and Culligan's treated water and reverse-osmosis.

Hard water contains high contents of Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron. This is due to slightly acidic rain water flowing over mineral deposits,which cause clogging of pipes, discoloration of water and the latherinf of and cleansing qualities of soaps. In this research project, filtered portions of the water samples will be compared to the unfiltered water samples. The goal will be to detect the pH, total dissolved soild (TDS), and total hardness (the presence of Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron) in the filtered water samples versus the unfiltered water samples. The Brita Systems Filter will be used in this filteration process.

The presence of Iron will be detected through spectrophotometric analysis, while Calcium and Magnesium will be determined titramatically.

Veronica is dilligently working hard using the U-V spectrophotometer. The U-V spectrophotometer is used in the determination of iron content in the water samples.

Sabrina titrates EDTA into the selected water sample. This technique allows for the measurement of calcium carbonate in the water.